R.I.P. Steve McNair

Yesterday, former Ravens QB Steve McNair was shot and killed in a downtown Nashville condo.  A 20-year-old female friend of McNair’s, Sahel Kazemi, was shot and killed as well.

According to the Baltimore Sun, McNair rented the apartment with Wayne Neeley, a friend of McNair’s and a sporting goods dealer.  Neeley found McNair and called McNair’s bodyguard Robert Gaddy, who placed the call to the police.

Earlier in the week, Kazemi was arrested for DUI after being pulled over in a Cadillac Escalade co-owned by McNair and Kazemi.  McNair, who was in the passenger’s seat, wasn’t charged and took a taxi home.

Considering McNair was shot multiple times and Kazemi was shot only once and the gun was found near Kazemi, this was possibly (likely) a murder-suicide.  According to The Tennessean, police investigators “were not actively looking for suspects Saturday night but had not ruled out any scenarios.”

McNair, drafted third overall by the Houston Oilers in the 1995 NFL draft, played 13 seasons in the NFL – 11 with the Oilers/Titans franchise and his last two with the Ravens.

In McNair’s first season with Baltimore, he led the Ravens to their highest regular-season win total (13) in franchise history.

In 2003, McNair was named co-MVP with Peyton Manning.  In his career, he earned three trips to the Pro Bowl.  McNair is one of only three quarterbacks in the history of the NFL to pass for 30,000 yards and rush for 3,500 yards.  The other two are both in the Hall of Fame – Fran Tarkenton and Steve Young.

Here are some statements from McNair’s former teammates about McNair and how his life tragically came to an end:

Ravens WR Derrick Mason: “Steve was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed it.  I’ve known him for 13 years and he was the most selfless, happiest and friendliest person I have known. His family and my family are close, and it is a blow to us all. It is a devastating day. Steve will always have a place in my heart. My family and I are hurting for his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

Ravens CB Samari Rolle: “I still can’t even believe it.  To lose such a good friend and a good man so soon doesn’t make sense. If you were going to draw a football player – the physical part, the mental part, everything about being a professional – he is your guy. I can’t even wrap my arms around it. It is a sad, sad day. The world lost a great man today.”

Former Ravens center Mike Flynn: “Obviously, everybody saw his ability, but behind closed doors, they couldn’t see what a great guy he is.  He was a great guy to play for and play with. It’s real sad because he was one of the good guys I’ve met in 11 years of pro football. I’m stunned and just sad.”

Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome: “This is so, so sad.  We immediately think of his family, his [four] boys. They are all in our thoughts and prayers.  What we admired most about Steve when we played against him was his competitive spirit, and we were lucky enough to have that with us for two years. He is one of the best players in the NFL over the last 20 years. … He was a great player, one of the toughest of competitors and a tremendous teammate, a leader on the field and in the locker room, especially to young players.”

McNair was one of the toughest players and most respected leaders to ever put on a jersey.

May he rest in peace.

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