What I'll remember most....

In light of the recent information we are learning about Steve Mcnair, people seem to believe he wasn't the man that we though he was. To me this is total bull-honkey. Steve Mcnair is still exactly who we thought he was, it just seemed there was more going in his life than he chose to share with us. I still admire McNair for his on the field accomplishments and his off the field endeavors. We forgive a lot of our superstars until they show a flaw we didn't expect, then that is all we can talk about. So here is what I will remember most about Steve "Air" McNair's life, no matter what the circumstances surrounding his death.

I was first introduced to Mcnair in 2004, his senior season at Alcorn State. This was after his heroic toughness in a game against Grambling the ear before. In his senior season McNair was up for the Heisman trophy. I was 12 years old and I wanted to be a college football star so bad, and McNair was doing it all, from a small 1-AA University. He finished third in the Heisman voting that year. Which is almost unheard of considering he wasn't "playing with the big boys". In his senior season he accumulated over 6,000 yards both rushing and passing. His career total offense record for division 1-AA still stands at 16,000 plus yards. He won the Walter Payton Award and finished third in the Heisman voting. I was so amazed. I tried to find everything I could to read on him, I was inspired by his grit and leadership skills. In 1995 the Houston Oilers grabbed Mcnair with the 3rd overall pick and the critics starting chirping. They were all wrong. He went on to have a solid 13 year career. His numerous gutsy performances are things of legend. He would miss full weeks of practice with countless injuries and still show up and perform for his team every Sunday. McNair was a 3 time pro-bowler and the Co-MVP in 2003. He even missed winning a Super Bowl by one yard. His football career was something that would make a great movie, and it seemed that his life off the field was just as inspiring.

Steve Mcnair was a well known figure in the community. I have not educated myself in all of his off field ventures, but his contributions to the community are noticeable in the out pouring of emotion by the member of that community. He was a mentor to Vince Young during Young's collegiate career. McNair was always smiling and seemed to be an all-American guy. He was married and a father of four boys, and he was one of my heroes.

I will not judge Steve McNair for what seems to be an obvious infidelity, I only know of the warrior that I saw compete every Sunday and the gracious smile I saw when he was interviewed. We may never know what happened to Steve McNair, but you have to know he was great! Live like no one is watching and never judge anyone!