Before the Titans arrived in Tennessee, the state was dominated by the college scene.  Many cities across the state have had minor league teams, but teams from the top pro teams were non-existent.  And then came the Titans.

As soon as the Titans arrived in Nashville, fans quickly embraced the team.  The Titans played with heart and guts on a weekly basis behind the starting quarterback, Steve “Air” McNair.  McNair quickly became a fan favorite across the state.  He was known for his grittiness, passion for the game, and being a great teammate and leader.  He embodied everything that the Titans were about during his playing days.

McNair gave Titans fans memorable moments on a constant basis.  The comeback in the Meadowlands in 2001.  His remarkable playoff game against the Steelers on that cold January night in 2003. Perhaps my personal favorite McNair moment was him coming off the bench to lead the Titans to a last second victory against the Steelers after the Steelers defense pummeled Neil O’Donnell all game long.

But to Nashville, McNair was not just a football player. He was among the first major sports stars the city ever had.  McNair carried himself with great humility off the field interacting with fans and spending a great deal with various charities in both Tennessee and Mississippi.  McNair was always lending a helping hand when he could.

Unfortunately as we all know, McNair was taken from this world in a senseless crime during what appears to be a bizarre situation.  Despite the circumstances, the city of Nashville’s heart broke when hearing the news of his death.  A leader was gone.  How could a man of his stature, of his toughness and grit, be gone at such a young age?

While he seemed larger than life (and while playing through injuries, perhaps a bit bionic) during his playing days for the Titans, he was human just like the rest of us.  He had his faults.  He didn’t always make the best decisions.  But McNair was genuinely one of the good guys of the game.  He will be remembered for his contributions, both on and off the field, in Nashville for years.  The legacy he left in a sports town in its NFL infancy is enormous.  He wasn’t just a football player.  He was one of our own, and we will miss him dearly in Tennessee.

RIP, #9

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