She had hoped to go to Southern Miss. Sports was always one of the tougher areas for Mechelle to navigate. In 2011, a legal spat between Mechelle and Lucille over property in Mississippi played out in the local news media. He didn't win the Heisman,but was taken 3rd in the NFL draft,heading to Houston to become an Oiler,and eventually,a Tennessee Titan. I'm just pushing forward. But he could be there for McNair's boys. Offensive linemen spend their careers protecting the quarterback, and Piller couldn't. Please be sure to open and click your first newsletter so we can confirm your subscription. The team would not let him rehab in its building because it feared an injury would force the franchise to pay him $23.46 million (his contract had been restructured so often that his salary cap reached a hard-to-manage amount). She thinks about the next chapter in her life. Ten years later: a conversation with the family of Steve McNair - WJTV [6], McNair appeared in the playoffs four times with the Titans, including their run to Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000, and made his final playoff appearance in 2006 with the Ravens. If I'm playing football and I hear her, I kind of just ignore it. The boys are constantly chasing a ghost, a man who, in death, is still the biggest sports legend in Nashville. Fortunately, Mechelle grabbed him and stopped him. He told them to find something they loved and do it well. Ex-linemen tell stories about how she used to sit in the stands and yell at them to protect her husband. You may remember, on July 4, 2009, NFL star Steve McNair was fatally shot by his mistress, Sahel Kazemi (seen below), in a murdersuicide. Deadly Recall: Air McNair is an episode that examines the life, slaying, and aftermath of renowned NFL quarterback Stephen McNair, who died at the age of 36 and left behind a shocked family and fanbase. But he could be there for McNair's boys. The boys are so close that Trent sleeps in Tyler's bed when he's at college. Steve McNair's Widow, Children Given $500,000 Each - NewsOne The old home had too many memories. Yes. When he headed back east after winter break, Trent refused to go to the airport because he didn't want to cry. Because I hurt like everybody else. She tried to explain to the boys what had happened, the best she could, but Trent wanted to read about his father in the paper. Times when the family would pair up in teams and wrestle, Mechelle and Tyler on one side; Trent and Steve on the other. Regardless of how he left here, I know he loved us. [32], McNair earned the nickname "Air McNair" in high school. Things around the McNair family have been tense, to say the least, since Steve passed in 2009. McNair was shot and killed on the Fourth of July by Sahel Kazemi, a 20-year-old girlfriend who then shot herself in the head. Shooting death of former Titans, Ravens QB McNair ruled a homicide - NFL Tyler came home for about a month, but he wasn't really there. It was nearly 11 years ago when former Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair was found dead next to a young woman in a downtown Nashville condo. On the final play of the game, McNair's pass to Dyson was complete, but Dyson was unable to break the plane of the goal line, giving the Rams the win. Live with Fuel; Saturday, August . Just because she doesnt know how to manage money doesnt mean she can bully her dead husbands poor old mother! [35] McNair was not arrested, instead leaving in a taxi with Gordon, despite Kazemi repeatedly asking the arresting officer to tell McNair to come to the police car to talk to her. #FlexExcellence: The Most Extravagant Prom Flexes Of 2023, #FlexExcellence: Tammy Rivera, Monica, Dr. Heavenly & Erica Dixon Send Their Celebrity Seeds Off To Prom In Style, Your Weekly Helping Of Tidday Meats & Treats On The Gram, Picture Perfect Poster Girl: Taylour Paige Stars As "Boogie's" Leading Lady, Kylie Jenner Klaims Its A Misconception That Shes Had So Much Surgery On Her Face, Kauses Kosmetic Kommotion Akross Internet, Riding Dirty: Stevie J. "I look at Tyler," she says, "and he knows exactly what his passion is. Somehow, he seared his hands. One year after former Tennessee Titans star Steve McNair was shot and killed, details emerge about the life of Sahel Kazemi, the woman who police say pulled the trigger then turned the gun on herself. Sheoffers this advice to other young athletes who aspire to be Warriors on the field,like McNair. As a matter of fact, Steve shares two children named Steve LaTreal McNair Jr. and Steven O' Brian McNair with two other women whose names are not disclosed. Trent, who was 5, rested his head on his mother's. EXCLUSIVE: Steve McNair: A mother's memories, Truck possibly connected to Hinds County jail escape found in Newton County, Woman charged after hitting, killing 19-year-old in Oxford, police say, South Jones band gets invited to 2026 St. Patricks fest in Ireland, Request a First Alert Weather School Visit, Advertising Non-Discrimination Certification. She never worried about that with Tyler, but for some reason, she thinks about it now that it's just her and Trent. So instead,he headed to Alcorn State University,following his brothers Fredand Tim. Sahel Kazemi Wiki: The Mistress Who Shot Steve McNair to Death Although she didn't grow up playing sports, Mechelle quickly acclimated herself to the life of a football wife. Twitter wasn't a factor yet, but there were plenty of media outlets to feed off of the stunning story of a Tennessee football hero killed by 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi, a woman with whom he'd been having an affair. The Tragic Death of Steve McNair Still Causing - Sportscasting "Mama," Mechelle asked, "do you think it's true?". Following Steves tragic passing, save for a public statement expressing her gratitude for the love she and her family were receiving, Mechelle refused to give interviews or speak about the matter. Trent, pictured right, was 5. He didn't want to watch TV, didn't want to eat anything. The enormity of his death cannot be overstated. She would go to her room, door closed, and sob. As they enter new stages of their lives, they wonder what their father would think. [27], McNair's number was retired by the Titans during a halftime ceremony against the Indianapolis Colts on September 15, 2019. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM. Sahel Kazemi allegedly shot and killed Steve McNair, then herself. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Sometimes, when she's rushing to a game or going to Bible study, it hits her -- the absence of tears and drama, the return to normal. There he guided his team to a comeback from a 16-point deficit, and the Titans came within a yard of the tying touchdown, only to ultimately lose to the St. Louis Rams. He tried to do both at first, but soon it was too much. He was a tenacious defender who helped his team win two state championships. "I know he's in his head," Steve would tell Mechelle. He also played for the Baltimore Ravens. The Steve Miller Band; Friday, July 7. So, it is safe to say that she is currently a single woman. I got to dance all the time, I got to travel, and I got into the college I wanted to. The estate of the former pro, who played 11 seasons with the Tennessee Titans and two with the. Though McNair was an NFL quarterback, he never wanted to force football or sports on his children. Before she met McNair, Mechelle never thought she would get married. But,according to his mother,that was just a fraction of who Steve McNair was. McNair returned against the St. Louis Rams, and with McNair starting, Tennessee won seven of its last nine games, good for a record of 133 and second place in the AFC Central. He was quiet until you knew him, and he waited a while to talk to her. Moreover, she belongs to the African-American ethnicity and holds an American nationality. He pictured his dad sitting in a pew, his leg sticking out in the aisle because the seat was too small for his giant body. "I think it was important for [Lucille] because you see a part of your son you lost," Mechelle says. Also known as: Air McNair, Steve LaTreal McNair. Did I know about some other people and some other things? Family of Steve McNair dividing up estate despite lack of signed will - al The transition from football player to businessman was not smooth. It was just like 2009. Steve McNair's Widow Kicks His Mother out Her OWN House! - Z 107.9 More on Steve McNair It would not go away. Their normal. [43] The Nashville police declared McNair's death a murder-suicide, with Kazemi as the perpetrator and McNair as the victim. Nearly 5,000 people mourned McNair at Reed Green Coliseum on the campus of Southern Miss. "Steve was a good person," Mechelle's mother says. He took care of us. "They ain't got nothing,he would say. Trent shows flashes of great talent at quarterback, but he won't play the position. All rights reserved. As for Steven OBryant McNair, who was 15 at the time of Steve Sr.s death, he still resides in Mississippi. [16] All charges related to the incident were later dropped.[6]. [6][11], He was a member of the fraternity Omega Psi Phi, highlighting his allegiance by tattooing "Omega Man" on his arm. The pressure to be Steve McNair's son weighs heavily. Eventually, there will be more goodbyes. Did I know about some other people and some other things? At the time, it was considered one of the biggest funerals in the state. Copyright 2016 MSNewsNow. Steve turned down an opportunity out of high school to be drafted into baseball. E:60's John Minton III and Ryan Smith contributed to this report. Mechelle grabbed him and told him to stop. But Fred was more,Fred would pick you apart. Aside from kid functions and dinners out, she lived the life of a homebody. He told them to find something they loved and to do it well. "I don't think he's doing that, but I want him to see me doing something where he feels like he has a drive.". He took care of us. Mechelle is asked whether she thinks they'd be this close had McNair lived. He was still trying to figure out his world outside of football. Yes, he made mistakes and was figuring out what to do outside football, but he was a good husband and father to all four of his children, as per his now-widow. He loved us. [23], On May 9, 2007, McNair was arrested in Nashville for drunk driving even though he was not driving at the time. He made a mistake. Mourners console Lucille McNair, the mother of Steve McNair, during the former NFL quarterback's funeral Saturday in Hattiesburg, Miss. The transition from football player to businessman was not smooth. His blood alcohol was above 0.10, and a 9-mm handgun was sitting in the front of the car. Former Titans Chris Johnson and Vince Young took the boys to the locker room, just as their dad had done. I've been there." Steve McNair was buried on a Saturday in his home state of Mississippi. Nothing's going to change how I feel about my husband. Sports was always one of the tougher areas for Mechelle to navigate. ", Tyler, right, and Trent served as honorary 12th Titans in a November game against the Baltimore Ravens. Mechelle appreciates the little things, such as the neighbor who used to replace the boys' basketball net whenever it looked worn, or the random texts Piller sends to the boys to ask how it's going. He did not have a will, creating a painful mess that dragged on for years. Mechelle told him she didn't know. He made at least $90 million in salary over his 13-year career with the Houston Oilers, Tennessee Titans and. Sahel Kazemi and Steve McNair Final Texts Show Worries of Love and She had plenty to cheer about by the time the franchise moved to Tennessee in 1997. McNair's widow, his sons and other family members and friends will return to Nissan Stadium for the special day. They hug, and Tyler wants to tell her something before she goes back home to Tennessee. "Just stay focused and move on up. Over that time, McNair threw 119 touchdown passes and set an FCS record by throwing and running for a combined 16,823 yards. Piller, a former guard for the Titans, was one of McNair's pallbearers. The widow of Steve, Mechelle's net worth is estimated at around $450 Thousand as of 2019, which is similar to the model Karizma Ramirez. Ludacris, FloRida and Ashanti; Thursday, July 20. In his last days, McNair seemed overwhelmed at times, almost as if he was at a crossroads, Mechelle says. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Regardless of how he left here, I know he loved us. This was because of a sternum injury incurred in a 1714 win over the Kansas City Chiefs the previous game. It's his way of being around his brother still. She would go to her room, door closed, and sob. "I mean, I'm here by myself. I've gotta keep going.". In happy times, they belted out SWV songs in Mechelle's little, red, two-seater Mercedes, his tiny head bobbing to the music. "Don't go," Tyler and Trent told him. Her statement read, in part, Your prayers, kind deeds, and outpouring of support throughout this difficult time have been of tremendous comfort to usYou are appreciated beyond measure. Moreover, in the months that followed, despite the fact that Steve had not left a will, her lawyers revealed that, as per instructions, she would not exclude any of his kids from his estate. McNair Estate to Support Family, Not Just Wife - CBS News Piller likes to mess with Trent sometimes and tells him he could probably jump higher if he'd cut his long hair. I'm not going to do it." Steve and Mechelle had happily welcomed their first child, Tyler McNair, a year after getting married, followed by Trenton roughly five years later. Well, Steve was a prominent American football player who played as a quarterback in the NFL (National Football League) for Baltimore Ravens before retirement. He added, "We believe now, at this time, that McNair was seated on the sofa and likely was asleep, and we believe that . He was drafted third overall by the Titans (then known as the Houston Oilers) in 1995, becoming the team's regular starting quarterback in 1997, their first season in Tennessee (though he started six games over the prior two seasons in Houston), and remained the starting quarterback for the Titans through 2005. McNair was selected with the third pick in the 1995 NFL draft by the Houston Oilerswho became the Tennessee Titans in 1999. SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE. The Titans held a two-day memorial at LP Field on July 8 and 9, 2009, where fans could pay their last respects to McNair. [21] Speculation was that the Titans might hold onto McNair until the week before training camp in late July if the Ravens didn't come up with a satisfactory trade offer for McNair according to a league source. "I'll be back in a little while," he said. The family Tennessee Titans legend Steve McNair left behind - ESPN Just 24 hours earlier, McNair had taken his sons fishing. In 1998, McNair set career passing highs with 492 attempts, 289 completions, 3,228 yards, and 15 touchdowns for the Oilers, now competing in Nashville. One year after former Tennessee Titans star Steve McNair was shot and killed, details emerge about the life of Sahel Kazemi, the woman who police say pulled the trigger then turned the gun on herself. The man who had taken epidurals and basically crawled around in pain six days a week but somehow played football on Sundays couldn't be gone. "I can deal with not having Steve here a lot more because I see him still every day in his boys.". McNair played in all sixteen games in 2000 but did not start the first of two annual games against the Steelers. "I don't want him to look at me and say, 'Oh, my mom is just kind of relaxed,'" she says. 3 in the NFL draft. He says she needs to go out more, to have fun sometimes. More on Steve McNair How do you think she was feeling? He ran to the kitchen and got a knife. She once took him on a girlfriends-only trip to the Bahamas, and if anyone took issue with it, well, tough. But when she saw how committed Tyler was to dance, she told him to do what makes him happy. She was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. No, I did not." Because I hurt like everybody else. Wade Payne/AP Photo Nine years after Mechelle McNair's world caved in, her oldest son, Tyler, is going to NYU on an academic scholarship. Times when McNair would take the boys out on his motorcycle and they didn't even need to talk. However, McNair later bailed Kazemi out of jail. just standing in the pocket," said Lucille. And that I still don't sometimes. She made faces at him to try to get him to stop. Late in the season, he also appeared briefly against the Detroit Lions and New York Jets. I'm used to it by now. The last full conversation he had with Mechelle centered on the restaurant's nightly receipts constantly being off and her desire to help. He leaned on his mother, Mechelle, and Tyler, at left. They met at Alcorn State, a historically black college in rural Claiborne County, Mississippi. Mechelle appreciates the little things, such as the neighbor who used to replace the boys' basketball net whenever it looked worn, or the random texts Piller sends to the boys to ask how it's going. Stephen Steve LaTreal McNair fathered his namesake and Steven OBrian McNair through different relationships before he met, fell in love, and tied the knot with his only wife, Mechelle McNair, on June 21, 1997. The 2009 murder of Steve McNair: Cops say Kazemi's unraveling life led to murder-suicide. Trent will put his hands on his hips and walk to the bench, and it reminds Piller of Steve heading to the huddle. Titans Draft Flashback: Steve McNair - Tennessee Titans She worked nightsand had no idea that her sons,against her wishes, were making a name for themselves on the football field. "Mama," Mechelle asked, "do you think it's true?" He'd handled everything -- the bills, the taxes, the boys' baseball swings -- until it was just her. From that moment on, she could not let her children see her break down. But this moment in front of the school is a good one. In the days leading up to Steve McNair's death, he spent time at Nashville bars, went fishing and helped put his . Steve McNair, in full Steve LaTreal McNair, byname Air McNair, (born February 14, 1973, Mount Olive, Mississippi, U.S.died July 4, 2009, Nashville, Tennessee), American gridiron football player who threw 174 touchdown passes during his 13 National Football League (NFL) seasons (1995-2008), primarily while playing for the Tennessee Titans. She said she couldn't bear to lose both of them. Mechelle is 45 now, and she does not look old enough to be dropping a son off at college. In his stead entered Neil O'Donnell, a veteran who had guided the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Super Bowl four years earlier. McNair's mourners honor a hero, legend - The Denver Post It was a good day for two little boys who saw their dad as a superhero. It surprises her and forces her to ask the inevitable question: Who am I when my kids are grown and gone? At the time, it was considered one of the biggest funerals in the state. Steve McNair was buried on a Saturday in his home state of Mississippi. Naked Pic of Serena Williams Goes Viral! Years ago, after Cartwright lost her own husband, Steve had told her to pack her bags and come live with them. They got married in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1997, and a year later, Tyler came along. She has thought about becoming a foster parent. For more, watch E:60's story, "Heir McNair," on Sunday at 9 a.m. on ESPN, or stream it on WatchESPN. They are best friends. She had hoped to go to Southern Miss. Updates? The pressure to be Steve McNair's son weighs heavily. McNair signed a new six-year contract after the 1999 season worth US$47 million.[14]. The man who had taken epidurals and basically crawled around in pain six days a week but somehow played football on Sundays couldn't be gone. [20] By May of 2006, the Baltimore Sun reported that the Baltimore Ravens were interested in McNair. Maybe they would have been anyway, had Steve McNair not been killed. He made a mistake. "I'm finally doing something I love, and I was happy year-round. Elizabeth MerrillMerrill is a senior writer for ESPN. McNair played with the Titans franchise for 11 seasons before finishing his career with the Baltimore Ravens (200608). On June 8, McNair flew to Baltimore, passed a physical and was announced as the newest member of the Ravens. McNair left a large estate behind that's in probate in both Tennessee and Mississippi. She knew how much potential he had. The investigation later revealed that they were in a romantic relationship for over six months, and the two also texted each other, saying love you and love you too before the incident happened. Stephen "Steve" LaTreal McNair fathered his namesake and Steven O'Brian McNair through different relationships before he met, fell in love, and tied the knot with his only wife, Mechelle McNair, on June 21, 1997. Time, if you handle it right, has a way of filtering out the bad memories but leaving the good. He also did not play the full game in Week 3, however, the game was won by the Ravens, 2623. But now one of them is leaving, and Mechelle is just trying not to lose it. At that point, Mechelle had a boyfriend and was only focused on pursuing a career in the medical field as a doctor. "Honestly, the most I've ever felt like a child is this year," Tyler says. Mechelle didn't particularly want to go to such a tiny school. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. The couple had first met at Alcorn State, a historically black university in Claiborne County, Mississippi. I know how it is when you ain't got nothing,and I never believed that I would be in this position to help other people," said Lucille. It had been a long time since they'd been there. Although she didn't grow up playing sports, Mechelle quickly acclimated herself to the life of a football wife. Times when McNair would take the boys out on his motorcycle and they didn't even need to talk. Steelers coach Bill Cowher said that he called a timeout before the winning kick took place. He told Mechelle that the alarm was going off at his restaurant, but she knows now that Kazemi was probably the one who called. He also cut his interceptions to ten, helping his quarterback rating climb to 80.1. It is a misdemeanor offense in Tennessee for an owner of a motor vehicle to knowingly allow an intoxicated person to drive the vehicle. Brett Favre and Ray Lewis and Jay Cutler showed up for the funeral. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. It has been exactly ten years of Steve's demise. The old home had too many memories. She got on the elliptical machine, hoping some exercise would get rid of the headache. She wasn't into sports, and she already had a boyfriend. Everyone wanted to know what Mechelle was feeling. [33], His cousin is NFL linebacker Demario Davis. McNair finished the 2003 season as the league leader in passer rating and became the youngest player in NFL history to pass for 20,000 yards and run for 3,000 yards. Peep the video below. Why Steve McNair's Legacy Won't Be Remembered the Way It Should Here was an NFL quarterback one season into retirement, a former co-MVP and a Super Bowl participant, murdered. George Gojkovich/Getty Images. Trent is headstrong and stubborn and has a bit of a temper. She had one job: to raise their sons. As questions swirled around the deaths of quarterback Steve McNair and his much-younger mistress, the mother of slain football star said Monday she doesn't want to know . Elyria Parent Sprays Elementary School Principal With Mace, Faces Felony, Become and DJ for Day Plus win $500 from Z1079. He says she needs to go out more, to have fun sometimes. The vision of a 10-year-old boy holding a knife was like a cold bucket of water in the face. Mechelle had always considered herself a private person. "He didn't want to do anything. She never worried about that with Tyler, but for some reason, she thinks about it now that it's just her and Trent. Steve McNair Jr.was still in high school when his dad died, starring on the gridiron at Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg. I'm used to it by now. He will want to spend more time with his friends, not his mom. Tyler believes it's the same thing his dad would have said. Mechelle McNair married to Steve McNair on 1997 and divorce on 2009. She never played. He tried to do both at first, but soon it was too much. McNair said he loved them. On July 4, 2009, the former Titans player was found in his downtown Nashville condo with multiple gunshot wounds alongside his mistress, Sahel Jenni Kazemi. OLIVE, MS (Mississippi News Now) - He led the Tennessee Titans to Super Bowl XXXIV, went to three Pro Bowls, was All-Pro once, threw 174 touchdowns against 119 interceptions, had 31,304 yards passing, and had an impressive 60.1 career completion percentage. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK. Wade Payne/AP Photo. He will want to spend more time with his friends, not his mom. Mechelle grabbed him and told him to stop. "I think that [Trent] would be attached to his dad.". ", Though McNair was an NFL quarterback, he never wanted to force football or sports on his children. Conspiracy theorists flooded the internet and airwaves. He says that McNair would do the same thing for him, and that what he does isn't much. "I always tell these young childrenI'm not braggin on him, but you can do what Steve McNair did," said Lucille. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Years ago, after Cartwright lost her own husband, Steve had told her to pack her bags and come live with them. But McNair was persistent. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department ruled it a murder-suicide, concluding that Kazemi shot McNair four times -- twice in the head -- in the early morning hours of July 4, most likely while he was sleeping on the couch of his rented condo. St. Louis scored the first 16 points as McNair struggled . Tyler, who was 10, started crying. He pictured his dad sitting in a pew, his leg sticking out in the aisle because the seat was too small for his giant body. And it was in the sports arenathat the McNair boys shined. The gun was also found near her dead body at the crime scene. He didn't just turn out all right. If I'm playing football and I hear her, I kind of just ignore it. Everyone changed. Steve McNair - Wikipedia "He was the first person to come," Tyler says. "They never complained about other children having this and they couldn't have that;they never complained.". The Players Association's filed a grievance on his behalf in which an arbitrator ruled that the team violated its contract, opening the possibility for a trade. Funeral services were held for McNair at the Reed Green Coliseum on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi on July 11; he was buried at Griffith Cemetery in Prentiss, Mississippi. I feel like I'm the weakest person sometimes. Eddie George Then & Now . God got her through this, she says. I'm not going to do it.". He did annoying things, peeking at her test answers, sticking his giant feet on her book bag. In his senior year alone, he set a single-season FCS mark by totaling 5,799 yards and finished third in the balloting for the 1994 Heisman Trophy. There were good times, too. He sat behind her in class and constantly flirted. She is dating someone, but meeting people has been a struggle. She doesn't want to go through any more pain. For more, watch E:60's story, "Heir McNair," on Sunday at 9 a.m. on ESPN, or stream it on WatchESPN.
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