NASHVILLE — Early in his High School playing career there were likely talks on a Friday night or even a Monday morning around the water cooler on the job - that this kid was before his time, as he wowed spectators with his athletic and versatile style of play on a weekly basis.
By the time his playing days were all said and done he had proven himself to be one of the best in his time at his position.
That would be no other than Mt. Olive High School product Steve “Air” McNair, as the standout quarterback at Division I-AA Alcorn State University and No. 3 overall First Round draft pick of the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans had his jersey retired Sunday afternoon during halftime of the home opener for the team he spent 10 NFL seasons with.
There appeared to be clouds shaped in the form of the No. 9 above the playing field at Nissan Stadium on the day that one of the most beloved players in franchise history had his number retired.
In addition to McNair’s No. 9 jersey, the Titans also retired running back Eddie George No. 27 jersey as well. The duo gave opposing defenses nightmares during their days in Tennessee.
McNair broke and set several records while playing quarterback at Alcorn State and during his senior year at the HBCU in Lorman, found himself gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated as the hype to Hand “Air” McNair the Heisman Trophy had already begun.
Although he amassed 6,281 total yards from scrimmage, with his versatile play of rushing (904) and passing (5,377) to go along with 56 touchdowns, he still finished 3rd in voting that year, behind Rashad Salaam (Colorado) and Ki-Jana Carter (Penn State).
He as named First Team All-SWAC for the third season in a row. McNair also had a longer NFL career than the other candidates in the running for the Heisman that year as well.
McNair brought the same work ethic to the NFL that he displayed in both high school and on the collegiate level.
After being drafted by the then Houston Oilers in 1995, he appeared in only a handful of games. It wasn’t until the 1997 season when the team relocated to Tennessee with a brief stay in Memphis, playing at the Liberty Bowl that he started every game, helping them to an 8-8 record.
A couple of years later in 1999, was one to remember by the Titans and their fans, as McNair and the team reached Super Bowl XXXIV in a memorable AFC Playoff run, which included the Music City Miracle in the opening round of the postseason – only to see the luck fade as they came up one yard short of a win on the big stage in Atlanta.
Oftentimes still playing through pain and injuries which would sideline most quarterbacks,
McNair would still suit up and play on Sundays. In 2001 he was named to his first Pro Bowl, as he and Titans finished the season with a 13-3 record.
His best year of production in the NFL came in 2003 as he finished voting as Co-MVP with Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts despite missing two games due to injury.
Three years later he was traded to the Baltimore Ravens where he finished his career, helping the team to a 13-3 mark and an AFC North division title.
He retired in 2008 and was killed on July, 4 2009 by four gunshots to the body by his mistress, who then pulled the trigger on herself..
Among the guests for the late Steve McNair was wife Mechelle McNair, along with their two sons they birthed during their marriage, Trenton and Tyler McNair, along with other members of his family.
Perry L. Johnson is a contributing writer for the Delta Democrat Times and can be reached at obannon1993@yahoo.com.
