As they enter new stages of their lives, they wonder what their father would think. There wasn't anything those children wanted that he didn't get for them." On a recent winter afternoon, Mechelle is sitting in the dining room of their house in the hills of Nashville, waiting to pick Trent up from school. "I'll be back in a little while," he said. Thus, all of Steve's assets were left to her. God and her friends and family who cooked and took the kids swimming and handled everything. George Gojkovich/Getty Images. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK. She thinks about the next chapter in her life. Eventually, there will be more goodbyes. "I mean, I'm here by myself. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. He could see McNair smiling and telling his boy, "Good job, Buddy." They are all in our thoughts and prayers. [9], The Seattle Mariners drafted him in the 35th round of the 1991 MLB amateur draft.[10]. "She just had it made, you . McNair completed 18 of 29 pass attempts for 173 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions as the Ravens lost, 156. Elyria Parent Sprays Elementary School Principal With Mace, Faces Felony, Become and DJ for Day Plus win $500 from Z1079. Steve McNair was buried on a Saturday in his home state of Mississippi. Steve McNair's Widow, Children Given $500,000 Each - NewsOne Sahel Kazemi and Steve McNair Final Texts Show Worries of Love and "When they were saying hand him the Heisman,I was likewhat is the Heisman and they were giving me different people names who had won the Heisman.". I'm not going to do it." Elizabeth MerrillMerrill is a senior writer for ESPN. ", McNair was known as one of the toughest players in the NFL. Between the 2002 and 2003 seasons, McNair was arrested for DUI and illegal gun possession (in May 2003). When McNair was alive, if one of the boys was struggling with a batting stance or a shot, he could go outside, spend 30 minutes with him and get it figured out. The judge agreed, and each of the four children received $500,000. "I know he's in his head," Steve would tell Mechelle. You may remember, on July 4, 2009, NFL star Steve McNair was fatally shot by his mistress, Sahel Kazemi (seen below), in a murder-suicide. Years ago, after Cartwright lost her own husband, Steve had told her to pack her bags and come live with them. At first, Mechelle thought he should stick it out. But if I'm playing basketball, I kind of look up there and tell her to sshhhhh.". McNair was selected to the Pro Bowl four times, and was an All-Pro and Co-MVP in 2003. Early in the season, McNair was diagnosed with an inflamed disk following the Titans' 3635 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, and needed surgery. Times when McNair would take the boys out on his motorcycle and they didn't even need to talk. It would not go away. She made faces at him to try to get him to stop. He loved us. Tyler, who is majoring in biology at NYU while continuing to pursue his dancing dreams, forged a path so different from his father's. The team officially changed its name from Oilers to Titans for the 1999 season as they debuted a new stadium, Adelphia Coliseum. 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. But this moment in front of the school is a good one. "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." [28], McNair was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2012 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2020. In his last days, McNair seemed overwhelmed at times, almost as if he was at a crossroads, Mechelle says. How do you think she was feeling? The family Tennessee Titans legend Steve McNair left behind - ESPN It would not go away. Her husband would have done things differently. Times when McNair would take the boys out on his motorcycle and they didn't even need to talk. He attended Mount Olive High School as a freshman in the fall of 1987, where he played football, baseball, and basketball in addition to running track. What happened to Steve McNair? Jenni Kazemi life unraveled, cop says He will want to spend more time with his friends, not his mom. Lucille says Steve gave freely of his time,his talents and his money. Without a doubt, she must have inherited a portion of her husband's fortune. Right now, my mom's here with me, but like when Trent's gone off to school and meets somebody, and then my mom, who knows how long -- I'm not saying who's going to go before who because that's not necessarily true -- but she's older. Two of their children are sons named Trenton John McNair, who was born in 2004, and his age is 15 years old as of 2019. So he would sacrifice his bodyto try and help his team and his teammates," said Lucille. "You're going to have people who say, 'Oh, she knew.' The boys call Mu "Uncle Mike." He loved us. It has been exactly ten years of Steve's demise. A handful of them delivered. Wade Payne/AP Photo Trent is headstrong and stubborn and has a bit of a temper. She said she couldn't bear to lose both of them. [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. Corrections? You're so strong,'" Mechelle says. Beach Boys, Ludacris, Ashanti and more: See lineup for Hard Rock Casino FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM. McNair was selected with the third pick in the 1995 NFL draft by the Houston Oilerswho became the Tennessee Titans in 1999. In 2019, he claimed that neither he nor his elder brother was invited to the ceremony where his fathers jersey was retired. 27 Jerseys at Sunday's Game", "Remembering 'Air McNair' NCAA Football", "Shooting Unveils Very Different Sides of Ex-NFL Quarterback Steve McNair", "McNair helped bring stability and success to vagabond franchise", "MVP Patrick Mahomes is now part of the legendary black quarterback fraternity", "MLB Amateur Draft Picks with the Name Matching: mcnair", "Devlin Hodges notches FCS mark with 14,584 career passing yards", "Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Oilers - December 8th, 1996 - Pro-Football-Reference.com", Notes: Favre backs McNair; Leinart hires Condon, Judge: Officer didn't have 'sufficient basis' to stop McNair for DUI, "NFL players from historically black colleges", "McNair visits Titans, doesn't have animosity over parting National Football League", McNair introduced as Ravens' new starting QB, "McNair's case to be heard today in Tenn", McNair could have playoff impact in Baltimore, "A Look Back at the Career of Steve McNair", "McNair Says Goodbye to Ravens, National Football League", "NFF Announces Storied 2020 College Football Hall of Fame Class Presented by ETT", "Former Titans' QB opens Nashville restaurant", "Demario Davis Remembers His Cousin, Steve McNair", "Police: Steve McNair death is apparent murder-suicide", "Woman's gun ID'd in Steve McNair death, but questions linger", "Sahel Kazemi and Steve McNair Final Texts Show Worries of Love and Money", "Tenn. police rule ex-QB McNair's death a homicide", "Autopsy planned for slain NFL star Steve McNair", "ESPN A Football Life The tragic passing of Steve McNair", "Police Release 911 Tapes in Steve McNair Case", "Coroner: Steve McNair a Victim of Murder-Suicide", "Police: McNair mistress knew gun seller for weeks", "The 2009 Murder of Steve McNair: Jenni Kazemi had known man who sold gun to her", "Statement From Titans Owner K.S. Her children had never seen her like that. NFL home He was 36 when he died, and he had just opened Gridiron9, a catfish-and-burger joint in north Nashville. Widow of Titans QB Steve McNair Anticipating Another - Tennessee Titans He felt comfortable in the country, near his siblings and his mother, Lucille. [51], McNair died without a last will and testament, and his assets were frozen pending probate of his estate. McNair's 2,665 passing yards were the most for the Oilers in a season since Warren Moon in 1993, and his 13 interceptions were the fewest for a single season in franchise history. When he's at school, he FaceTimes with her at least once a day, so it's almost as if she sees him more when he's in New York. She stood up, the pain radiated from the right side of her skull, and she had to lie back down. They met at Alcorn State, a historically black college in rural Claiborne County, Mississippi. Live with Fuel; Saturday, August . [35] Kazemi and McNair had been previously involved with each other romantically. Sometimes on the Fourth of July, he picked up the kids and bought fireworks and did anything that took their minds off the anniversary. Sahel Kazemi Wiki: The Mistress Who Shot Steve McNair to Death He was found dead with the body of a young woman, Sahel Kazemi, in a rented house at 105 Lea Avenue in downtown Nashville. Time, if you handle it right, has a way of filtering out the bad memories but leaving the good. Steve McNair's mom 'not mad' over son's brutal death, calls it 'devil's Tyler tells her everything, even the stuff that can get him grounded. "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.". I feel like I'm the weakest person sometimes. For whatever reason, Michelle believes that Lucille should have to pay ($3,000/month) to live in the home that her millionaire son built. Steve McNair was born on Valentine's Day, and he died on the Fourth of July. 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. The tabloids fed off the story and ran photos of McNair vacationing with the young waitress and texts they sent to each other in their final hours. Mechelle knows life will change again soon, when Trent gets his driver's license. The well-known footballer, Steve, died on 4 July 2009 at the age of 46. At the time, it was considered one of the biggest funerals in the state. 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. "At the end of the day, that's my husband," she says. In the worst times, she kept both of her little boys beside her in bed, where she could keep them close and safe. "He paved the way and now it's time for you to move forward.". ". "I think that [Trent] would be attached to his dad.". In happy times, they belted out SWV songs in Mechelle's little, red, two-seater Mercedes, his tiny head bobbing to the music. Piller likes to mess with Trent sometimes and tells him he could probably jump higher if he'd cut his long hair. [19], Following the 2005 season, on April 30, 2006, the Titans allowed McNair and his agent, James "Bus" Cook, to speak with the Ravens to try to work out a deal. Omissions? Tyler disagrees. As they enter new stages of their lives, they wonder what their father would think. Sometimes on the Fourth of July, he picked up the kids and bought fireworks and did anything that took their minds off the anniversary. But plans change. "I don't want to be alone," she says. E:60's John Minton III and Ryan Smith contributed to this report. Steve and Mechelle shares two children from their marital relationship. But McNair was persistent. 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. Steve McNair Jr.was still in high school when his dad died, starring on the gridiron at Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg. "He said, 'but they need me and I'm not going to let them down.' We immediately think of his family, his boys. When people say that to me, I'm always like, 'Where are they getting this from?' NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Shot twice in the head and two more times in the chest, former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was the victim of a homicide, police declared Sunday. Thank you for subscribing! Ex-Tennessee tight end Bo Scaife filled Tyler's closet with sneakers. 3 in the NFL draft. NEW YORK (CBS) "Im gonna have all of u soon," Sahel Kazemi texted Steve McNair, her married lover and former NFL star,. Keep in mind, its a $1 million dollar home that he built for his mom. Fortunately, Mechelle grabbed him and stopped him. In 2005, he played in 14 games because of a back injury. Trent is headstrong and stubborn and has a bit of a temper. More on Steve McNair There were many people at McNair's funeral who vowed to be there for Tyler and Trent. She had hoped to go to Southern Miss. Times when the family would pair up in teams and wrestle, Mechelle and Tyler on one side; Trent and Steve on the other. Everyone wanted to know what Mechelle was feeling. Before everything changed. He kissed Mechelle and told her he loved her, too. We care about your data. Dont miss to subscribe to our new feeds, kindly fill the form below. Her husband would have done things differently. Steve McNair's widow sues crew of well-known crime show - WKRN News 2 He wore bandages for weeks. He says she needs to go out more, to have fun sometimes. In 2011, a legal spat between Mechelle and Lucille over property in Mississippi played out in the local news media. Mrs. McNair talked about the time Steve, not yet a teen, was raking leaves and burning them in the yard. But plans change. A post shared by Trent McNair (@trentmac9). She doesn't want to go through any more pain. Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) scrambles during the Titans' 30-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 19, 1999. . The boxes are unpacked, the dorm room is clean, and there is nothing else to do but say goodbye. When a parent dies young and leaves behind children, people make promises. [29][30], McNair was married to Mechelle McNair[31] from June 21, 1997, until his death. "Everyone went to college and I bought them a bible and I told them,God come first, books come second and their sports come next," said Lucille. Mu was the one who took them to father-son breakfasts and NBA games. On the second-to-last play with the Titans facing 3rd down and 5 to go, McNair was hit by two Rams defenders, but he somehow got away and completed a 16-yard pass to Kevin Dyson to gain a 1st down at the Rams' 10-yard line. Initially, she did not believe her husband was dead. [32], McNair earned the nickname "Air McNair" in high school. On the morning of July 4, 2009, Mechelle McNair woke up with a crushing headache. Tyler, who was 10, started crying. Their normal. 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. He's going to kick the world's ass. He also led the team in rushing touchdowns with eight and ranked second behind running back Eddie George with 674 yards on the ground, at the time the third-highest total for a quarterback in NFL history. He did not have a will, creating a painful mess that dragged on for years. The vision of a 10-year-old boy holding a knife was like a cold bucket of water in the face. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. McNair had dreams of his restaurant becoming a chain. Maybe they would have been anyway, had Steve McNair not been killed. On the morning of July 4, 2009, Mechelle McNair woke up with a crushing headache. Conspiracy theorists flooded the internet and airwaves. I'm just pushing forward. Fred and Timboth played football, and younger brother Steve was magic,in both footballand baseball. She is thankful for that last day McNair had with the boys and for that night when they argued and made up. She would go to her room, door closed, and sob. Nothing's going to change how I feel about my husband. In the worst times, she kept both of her little boys beside her in bed, where she could keep them close and safe. Watch the video below to see the rest of this unbelievable drama, Prom Rundown: Erica Dixon And Tammy Riveras Daughters Nailed Their Prom Looks. "Nope," she says. Naked Pic of Serena Williams Goes Viral! Piller downplays his involvement. He accumulated this hefty amount of money from his career as a talented NFL player. 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. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. She stood up, the pain radiated from the right side of her skull, and she had to lie back down. McNair left a large estate behind that's in probate in both Tennessee and Mississippi. Tyler, who is majoring in biology at NYU while continuing to pursue his dancing dreams, forged a path so different from his father's. She had plenty to cheer about by the time the franchise moved to Tennessee in 1997. "Mama," Mechelle asked, "do you think it's true?" "I didn't know about her at all," Mechelle says. They got married in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1997, and a year later, Tyler came along. A "True Crimes with Aphrodite Jones" episode filmed in 2013 even pointed suspicion at her. So now that years have gone by, we cant help but wonder about the people Steve left behind. In the days leading up to Steve McNair's death, he spent time at Nashville bars, went fishing and helped put his . It had been a long time since they'd been there. 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. He split his time between a farm in Mississippi and Nashville, Tennessee. McNair then offered to come over to check on her after she said her chest felt heavy. They met at Alcorn State, a historically black college in rural Claiborne County, Mississippi. Right now, my mom's here with me, but like when Trent's gone off to school and meets somebody, and then my mom, who knows how long -- I'm not saying who's going to go before who because that's not necessarily true -- but she's older. McNair holds an Oilers jersey with NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue and McNair's mother, Lucille, April 22, 1995 in New York. Tyler believes it's the same thing his dad would have said. Here was an NFL quarterback one season into retirement, a former co-MVP and a Super Bowl participant, murdered. Further, he was buried at Griffith Cemetery in Prentiss, Mississippi, and over 5000 people attended his funeral. The 45 acre 6 bedroom ranch in Collins, MS was built by McNair for his mother; a gift to a woman, who as a single mom raised 5 rowdy boys in poor, rural Mississippi. 'Bud' Adams, Jr. He didn't just turn out all right. The couple had first met at Alcorn State, a historically black university in Claiborne County, Mississippi. Eventually, he grew on her. She had plenty to cheer about by the time the franchise moved to Tennessee in 1997. NFL home Death of Mechelle's Husband, Steve McNair. God got her through this, she says. "I'm finally doing something I love, and I was happy year-round. The tabloids fed off the story and ran photos of McNair vacationing with the young waitress and texts they sent to each other in their final hours. That was meand God.". She wasn't into sports, and she already had a boyfriend. "He was the first person to come," Tyler says. McNair came in and threw a touchdown to Erron Kinney; a missed Steelers field goal attempt resulted in the Titans winning 2320. Did I know about some other people and some other things? 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. Nine years after Mechelle McNair's world caved in, her oldest son, Tyler, is going to NYU on an academic scholarship. But when she saw how committed Tyler was to dance, she told him to do what makes him happy. Regarding Steve McNair", "McNair's funeral draws thousands in Mississippi", "Steve McNair and the Perils of Dying Without a Will", "Tenn. Judge Gives McNair's Widow, Children $500k each", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Steve_McNair&oldid=1152382932, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 29 April 2023, at 22:36. "He was the first person to come," Tyler says. He ran to the kitchen and got a knife. For more, watch E:60's story, "Heir McNair," on Sunday at 9 a.m. on ESPN, or stream it on WatchESPN. I do know that. I don't want to be here by myself. Times when the family would pair up in teams and wrestle, Mechelle and Tyler on one side; Trent and Steve on the other. Christmas break is over, and the house is quiet. The pressure to be Steve McNair's son weighs heavily. "Mama," Mechelle asked, "do you think it's true?". 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. His life was cut short on July 4, 2009, but his legacy lives onin family and those who knew him best. I'm used to it by now. McNair threw for 3,228 yards and 15 touchdowns in '98, and he led the Titans to the Super Bowl a year later. McNair's success in the NFL netted him a fortune. She never worried about that with Tyler, but for some reason, she thinks about it now that it's just her and Trent. "I look at Tyler," she says, "and he knows exactly what his passion is. Steven went as far as to addthat he and Steve Jr. have been closed out of their younger brothers lives and their fathers legacy, which Mechelle has since denied. I'm just pushing forward. She would lean on her friends, who dropped everything to be with her in Nashville, or cry to her aunts and uncles. How was she feeling? What's my passion?" In 2001, McNair registered career passing highs in yards (3,350), completions (264), touchdowns (21), and quarterback rating (90.2). He was one of the finest players to play for our organization and one of the most beloved players by our fans. George Clark/Hattiesburg American POOL/Getty Images But I'm not going to hell blaming somebody or having the hate and animosity in my heart. "Most of the time I really don't hear it that much, but when I do, it's a little bit embarrassing. She would go to her room, door closed, and sob. Furthermore, her younger child, Trenton, is a 64 shooting guard basketball player at Brentwood Academy and has already received an offer from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee. She said she couldn't bear to lose both of them. McNair's death shocked the country on the Fourth of July in 2009. Also known as: Air McNair, Steve LaTreal McNair. When you walk into Lucille McNair's memory room,it's hard not be overwhelmed with the accomplishments of her sons, especially the oneknown as Steve "Air" McNair; alegacy she says beganwhen Steve was a young boy,following in the footsteps of his older brother Fred. McNair's mourners honor a hero, legend - The Denver Post Late Steve McNair's Wife, Mechelle McNair Is Still Grieving His Husband Sahel Kazemi's nephew reveals she expected Steve McNair to divorce wife Over the course of his NFL career, McNair passed for 31,304 yards, rushed for 3,590 yards, played in three Pro Bowls, and was named joint Most Valuable Player in 2003, along with Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. And on the gridiron,he was magic. Wade Payne/AP Photo. He did annoying things, peeking at her test answers, sticking his giant feet on her book bag. "I'm finally doing something I love, and I was happy year-round. She wanted to be a doctor and wanted one child, but she didn't think much about a partner. He added, "We believe now, at this time, that McNair was seated on the sofa and likely was asleep, and we believe that . Steve McNair's wife forces his mother to pay rent then sells house - Bossip [9] An All-State selection (offense), McNair was named an All-American by Super Prep magazine (defense). "I always tell these young childrenI'm not braggin on him, but you can do what Steve McNair did," said Lucille. He sees flashes of his friend, and it helps him stay close to him. [20], The 2006 season saw McNair start each game for the Ravens, missing only portions of two games. He will want to spend more time with his friends, not his mom. Eventually, there will be more goodbyes. The full schedule includes: Advertisement. Steven still resides in Mississippi. It was a good day for two little boys who saw their dad as a superhero. 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. Regardless of how he left here, I know he loved us. EXCLUSIVE: Steve McNair: A mother's memories - wlbt.com Her mother, Melzena Cartwright, saw the news on TV. Mechelle found strength and independence she never thought she had. Freshman year, she had a human anatomy class with McNair, and he spent most of it staring at her. In happy times, they belted out SWV songs in Mechelle's little, red, two-seater Mercedes, his tiny head bobbing to the music. She was so happy at the end of their talk, when he said she could attend the next employee meeting. The enormity of his death cannot be overstated. The other two are from previous relationships. Years ago, after Cartwright lost her own husband, Steve had told her to pack her bags and come live with them. The driver failed a field sobriety test and was arrested for DUI; McNair was charged with DUI by consent. 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. Late in the season, he also appeared briefly against the Detroit Lions and New York Jets. How do you think she was feeling? 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. She made faces at him to try to get him to stop. He told Mechelle that the alarm was going off at his restaurant, but she knows now that Kazemi was probably the one who called. She noticed her husband wasn't home and made a number of phone calls trying to find him. They are best friends. He announced his retirement following the 2007 season. But she put off doing the paperwork, and Alcorn was the school that offered her a scholarship. [12] McNair did not see his first action until the last two series of the fourth quarter in a November game versus the Cleveland Browns.
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