Remembering Steve McNair

8/31/2024

Netflix’ latest sports documentary, Untold: The Murder of Air McNair, tells the story of decorated quarterback Steve McNair. McNair was killed in a murder-suicide, involving a mistress and personal struggles. McNair’s story involves a complex mix of mental health, charity, toughness, personal struggle, and identity. By examining his story closely, the public may grasp a better understanding of what led him to such tragedy. In his career, he broke racial barriers and touched the lives of many through his charity. McNair’s multidimensional life is a story worth sharing.

McNair was an extremely accomplished football player. From a young age, he was instilled with a competitive fire. His mother, Lucille, characterized McNair as “quiet, intelligent, and studious”. She described Steve’s and his brother Fred McNair’s childhoods, “The kids loved to play football, but they knew that work came first. And when they forgot that, they were punished, but I always let them go back out to play football afterward.”

Steve McNair excelled in multiple sports. He dominated across football, basketball, and baseball, winning multiple state championships and an All-American distinction. Even with football being his main sport, he excelled in baseball so much that he was offered an MLB contract by the Seattle Mariners. He declined and chose to follow in his brother’s footsteps of playing quarterback at Alcorn State University, a division one HBCU program.

He was drafted as the third overall pick in the 1995 NFL draft, breaking the status quo of quarterbacks being regarded as a “white position”. He was only the second black player to start as the NFL quarterback, following Doug Williams in 1987. He moved with the Houston Oilers to Nashville as the team morphed into the Tennessee Titans. Over his career, a peer described him as kind, charitable, and without enemies.

In his 11 years with the Titans, he cemented himself as an all-time great. He led the team to the 2002 Super Bowl where the team would unfortunately come up short. The following season he would be the first black quarterback to win the league MVP award. 

McNair was known for pioneering the dual-threat quarterback style, often running the ball with elusiveness and finesse. However, this style of play would cause him to accumulate many injuries from frequent contact to a debilitating point. Doctors reported he had bone spurs in his ankle, bruised ribs, calf strains, and infections from shoulder surgery. Despite this, with his mental toughness, he battled on. However, after a chest collision in 2000 while playing against the Chiefs he had to be hospitalized. He told head coach Jeff Fisher that he felt he had to call it a career. 

However, as his backup sustained an injury, McNair, who was possibly not fully recovered, returned to the field and would go on to play 8 more years in the NFL. To tolerate his pains, he resorted to self-medicating through alcohol, medication, and painkillers. He finally retired in 2008 and shared his decision to stop, “I’m opening up a lot more doors for the future. I can now become the father I need to be to my kids.” He was married to Mechelle Cartwright and had two sons Tyler and Trenton.

Unfortunately, personal complications would arise. McNair became involved in multiple affairs, frequented clubs and bars, and would get in trouble with the law on numerous occasions. He would eventually find himself with a young mistress named Sahel Kazemi. Kazemi found out about McNair’s other mistresses. In a jealous rage, Kazemi shot McNair, then turned the gun on herself.

Renowned running back and teammate of McNair, Eddie George, said “When you transition from the game—mentally and physically and emotionally transition—you go through so much change… he was probably searching for something. Things in the wrong places.”

Although McNair’s death is involved in controversy and tragedy, it is important to share his story in a more holistic way. Many may come up with their own opinions on what happened, but his story’ connection to mental health struggle is undeniable. Thousands showed up to McNair's funeral, and he is still a highly respected figure in the fanbase. The Titan’s retired his number in a show of respect.

Importantly, it is also necessary to remember his amazing dedication to charity and helping others. McNair operated the Steve McNair foundation, focusing on empowering and inspiring underprivileged youth. Over 25 charities in Tennessee benefit from McNairs work. In memory of him and his philanthropic career, an archival website of his foundation stands.

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Works Cited

“Official Steve McNair.” Officialstevemcnair.com, 2015, www.officialstevemcnair.com/.

Piccotti, Tyler. “The Late Steve McNair Is Remembered as an NFL Great. His Life Was More Complicated.” Biography, 20 Aug. 2024, www.biography.com/athletes/a61916082/steve-mcnair-legacy.