Tennessee Titans And “Air” McNair

The NFL’s Tennessee Titans, formerly known as the Houston Oilers – 1 in the original members from the long-gone American Football League, have been playing football in Tennessee since 1997. For most of their existence in Tennessee, the group was led by 1 quarterback: the now-deceased Steve “Air” McNair. An alternately beloved and lamented quarterback in the course of his years with the Titans, McNair led them by way of some in the best years of their franchise. With four playoff appearances, and a berth in Super Bowl XXXIV, McNair left his imprint on the group as the Titans’ passing leader from the record books.

College Days

When he primary went to college, McNair had his choice of schools to attend. One particular of them, the University of Florida, wanted him as a defensive back. Merely because his desire was to play the quarterback position, he opted to attend a Football Championship Subdivision school instead: Alcorn State. The school’s football program received a much-needed boost in the course of McNair’s tenure as quarterback, as he proceeded to break all on the FCS records for passing. By the time his senior season was complete, he had thrown for nearly 14,500 yards, and compiled above 16,000 yards total. In his senior campaign alone, he almost broke the 6,000 yard total, while passing and rushing for just more than fifty touchdowns.

As an Oiler and Titan

Drafted by the Oilers in 1995, McNair would see limited action for his primary two seasons due towards the presence of a lot more veteran quarterback Chris Chandler. When he did become the starter in 1997, he led the team to an eight and eight record. Although the team’s results were breakeven, his personal totals were a lot more impressive. With above 2,500 yards of passing and only thirteen passes that resulted in interceptions, Air McNair made a strong statement for the league that he was every single bit as great as he had been advertised as being. By the time the 1999 season began, McNair had matured into a competent leader for his group – in addition to getting a flashy quarterback who posed threats both by way of the air and on the ground. Although injured for five games from the season, McNair recovered enough to lead his group to a thirteen and three season along with a place in the playoffs.

Super Bowl XXXIV

After winning their playoff games, McNair and his Titans had to face the Rams as well as the Greatest Show on Turf. Even though there was an opportunity for the Titans to win the game with only seconds remaining, McNair’s receiver, Kevin Dyson, was tackled a yard shy in the end zone as time ran out – on a play which is now merely acknowledged as “The Tackle.” It would turn out to be McNair’s only shot at the Super Bowl trophy.

From that point on, McNair would still show flashes of brilliance, but nagging injuries and circumstance would keep him from ever achieving the greatness of potential for which many had patiently waited. In July of 2009, he was killed in an apparent murder-suicide committed by his then-mistress, Sahel Kazemi.

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