A Fallen Titan
Written by Daniel Doyle, Saturday July 04 2009
Steve McNair's untimely death has struck the hearts of Tennessean's and football fans all over.
Toughness. It's a quality that is not only wanted, but is of the utmost importance in the National Football League. Not many players had more of it than Steve McNair. He played with terrible knees, worn out legs, and even a ruptured sternum. Titans fans became spoiled being able to have a quarterback with such a high tolerance for pain. He was the Superman of the Tennessee Titans franchise.
Living in Tennessee for the past nine years, I have seen and read quite a bit about McNair, from his play on Sunday's to some off his off the field run ins with the law(mainly D.U.I's). I consider myself a fair-weather Titan fan, and for whatever reason, McNair was a very likeable figure in this state. Playing through injuries is always a great way to earn fans' respect, but there was something more to "Air McNair." Behind his facemask, there was a certain twinkle in his eye. He could often be found wearing a big smile and was always considered a consumate teammate during his tenure with the Titans. Even with the aforementioned D.U.I's, his reputation never took a hit in Nashville. Additionially, none of his problems with the law were ever related to violence, which makes the circumstances surrounding his death even more shocking.
Steve McNair was not perfect, but for some reason, I feel much harder hit by his death than any of the other celebrities who have recently passed away. Maybe it was because I had to opportunity to see McNair perform a few times in person, but I am more inclined to think it has to do with how personable Steve was. He always made time for reporters and fans alike, never forgetting where he came from. McNair had just recently opened a restaurant here in Nashville, and could often be found cleaning dishes or windows, busting a table, or serving beverages to his customers. That was just the kind of guy Steve McNair was. His money and fame never changed his view of the world or other people.
I have no idea what details will come out in the events that played out in McNair's final minutes on this earth. And to be honest, it will have no affect on how I remember Steve McNair. Today, not only did the world lose one of the toughest athletes it had ever seen, it lost a great human being as well. It's really no surprise that it is raining on Nashville as I type this. Tears are being poured from heaven as one of the true Titans of Tennessee has fallen.
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