I'm used to it by now. But his phone kept ringing. I've gotta keep going.". Elizabeth MerrillMerrill is a senior writer for ESPN. As they enter new stages of their lives, they wonder what their father would think. Time, if you handle it right, has a way of filtering out the bad memories but leaving the good. McNair then offered to come over to check on her after she said her chest felt heavy. God got her through this, she says. Between the 2002 and 2003 seasons, McNair was arrested for DUI and illegal gun possession (in May 2003). Eventually, he grew on her. It had been a long time since they'd been there. Trent, pictured right, was 5. Official Steve McNair McNair completed 18 of 29 pass attempts for 173 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions as the Ravens lost, 156. Sahel Kazemi allegedly shot and killed Steve McNair, then herself. The last full conversation he had with Mechelle centered on the restaurant's nightly receipts constantly being off and her desire to help. When news of his death flashed on the TV screen, Cartwright rushed through the house to Mechelle's room. Stephen LaTreal McNair (February 14, 1973 July 4, 2009),[2] nicknamed "Air McNair",[3][4] was an American professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons, primarily with the Houston / Tennessee Oilers / Titans franchise. Two Years Later And Steve McNair's Estate Drama Continues Her mother, Melzena Cartwright, saw the news on TV. She would not lose it in front of them. Nothing's going to change how I feel about my husband. Everyone changed. Mechelle says she could hear Steve's footsteps in the house sometimes. 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. She had plenty to cheer about by the time the franchise moved to Tennessee in 1997. And on the gridiron,he was magic. Nothing's going to change how I feel about my husband. No, I did not.". You're so strong,'" Mechelle says. 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. Michele is also claiming she cant find Steves Will. Mechelle didn't particularly want to go to such a tiny school. Here Are The 7 Best Date Night Restaurants in Cleveland! Just 24 hours earlier, McNair had taken his sons fishing. NFL home She would go to her room, door closed, and sob. 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. Sometimes on the Fourth of July, he picked up the kids and bought fireworks and did anything that took their minds off the anniversary. He asked how somebody could do this to his daddy. But did I know about her? "That word will always get to me. "She's very vocal," Trent says. [47] The police later stated that after being released from jail, Kazemi purchased the gun from a convicted murderer she met while looking for a buyer for her Kia. They are best friends. Every season, Mechelle sends Trent's basketball schedule to Mu and to Zach Piller. Merrill: The dilemma of how to mourn McNair. He was drafted third overall by the Titans (then known as the Houston Oilers) in 1995, becoming the team's regular starting quarterback in 1997, their first season in Tennessee (though he started six games over the prior two seasons in Houston), and remained the starting quarterback for the Titans through 2005. But now one of them is leaving, and Mechelle is just trying not to lose it. Yet, Steves persistence and personality won her over, so she found herself leaving the state with him after graduation to support his NFL career. A "True Crimes with Aphrodite Jones" episode filmed in 2013 even pointed suspicion at her. She always worried where he was. [23], On May 9, 2007, McNair was arrested in Nashville for drunk driving even though he was not driving at the time. [44][45] The 9mm gun used was found under Kazemi's body and later tests revealed "trace evidence of (gunpowder) residue on her left hand. 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. Nine years after Mechelle McNair's world caved in, her oldest son, Tyler, is going to NYU on an academic scholarship. She never played. This was because of a sternum injury incurred in a 1714 win over the Kansas City Chiefs the previous game. "At the end of the day, that's my husband," she says. Mu was the one who took them to father-son breakfasts and NBA games. How do you think she was feeling? 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. He had four brothers, Fred, Jason, Michael, and Tim. He felt comfortable in the country, near his siblings and his mother, Lucille. She thinks he shows his emotions too much. Maybe she could do that. Somehow, he seared his hands. Sahel Kazemi: A study in the woman police say killed Steve McNair a A post shared by Trent McNair (@trentmac9). Tyler tells her everything, even the stuff that can get him grounded. Titans Draft Flashback: Steve McNair - Tennessee Titans "Honestly, the most I've ever felt like a child is this year," Tyler says. When a parent dies young and leaves behind children, people make promises. Her husband would have done things differently. Lucille says Steve gave freely of his time,his talents and his money. "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.". Following the Titans bye week Neil O'Donnell started against his former team but after ODonnell threw three picks he was sacked out of the game in the final four minutes. [32], McNair earned the nickname "Air McNair" in high school. I don't. She keeps McNair's football memorabilia in the basement, where Trent dribbles his basketball and Tyler practices his dance moves. "He said, 'but they need me and I'm not going to let them down.' McNair was shot and killed on the Fourth of July by Sahel Kazemi, a 20-year-old girlfriend who then shot herself in the head. "I loved him. The Steve McNair Foundation, Inc. 209 10th Avenue South Nashville, TN 37218 The Steve McNair Foundation Teams With the NFL Youth Football Fund for $100,000 in Katrina Relief. "But Steve,his feet,he just moved. "Nope," she says. The game had a controversial finish when, after missing a game-winning field goal at the end of regulation time and a second failed kick in overtime was negated because of a controversial running-into-the-kicker penalty on Pittsburgh's Dewayne Washington, kicker Joe Nedney won the game from 26 yards out 2:15 into overtime. 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. "I always tell these young childrenI'm not braggin on him, but you can do what Steve McNair did," said Lucille. He was catching up with friends and hanging out at Waffle House at 2 in the morning. What's my passion?" Merrill: The dilemma of how to mourn McNair Eventually, he grew on her. McNair's wife Michele cut his mother out of her grandchildren's life. The night of his death, McNair put his children to bed, then at 11:00p.m. he texted Kazemi "On my way. He told them to find something they loved and to do it well. McNair was born in a small tin-roofed house in Mount Olive, Mississippi on February 14, 1973. The fact that he was the quarterback everyone on campus was talking about held no currency with Mechelle. He says she needs to go out more, to have fun sometimes. There were many people at McNair's funeral who vowed to be there for Tyler and Trent. She thinks he shows his emotions too much. Her mother, Melzena Cartwright, saw the news on TV. And I said what you ain't got,you can't miss it.". She already had two men in her in life: Tyler, 19, and Trent, who just turned 14. Aside from kid functions and dinners out, she lived the life of a homebody. Sahel Kazemi: A study in the woman police say killed Steve McNair a It was a good day for two little boys who saw their dad as a superhero. McNair helped Baltimore to a 133 record and an AFC North Championship. [20] By May of 2006, the Baltimore Sun reported that the Baltimore Ravens were interested in McNair. Tyler was her road dog. Live with Fuel; Saturday, August . He loved us. "You're going to have people who say, 'Oh, she knew.' "They appreciated what they had," add Lucille. He was known as one of the toughest men in football, playing through myriad injuries. When you walk into Lucille McNair's memory room, it's hard not be overwhelmed with the accomplishments of her sons, especially the one known as Steve "Air" McNair; a legacy she says began when Steve was a young boy, following in the footsteps of his older brother Fred. She has thought about becoming a foster parent. Mechelle knows life will change again soon, when Trent gets his driver's license. On July 4, 2009, the former Titans player was found in his downtown Nashville condo with multiple gunshot wounds alongside his mistress, Sahel Jenni Kazemi. I feel like I'm the weakest person sometimes. But I'm not going to hell blaming somebody or having the hate and animosity in my heart. "I don't want him to look at me and say, 'Oh, my mom is just kind of relaxed,'" she says. [48], Titans owner Bud Adams released a statement regarding McNair:[49]. Twitter wasn't a factor yet, but there were plenty of media outlets to feed off of the stunning story of a Tennessee football hero killed by 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi, a woman with whom he'd been having an affair. Trent shows flashes of great talent at quarterback, but he won't play the position. "[People] always say, 'Oh, I admire you so much. 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. She wanted to see him so she could help him. Their normal. 9 and Eddie George's No. [26], In July 2012, McNair was named the 35th greatest quarterback of the NFL's post-merger era, according to Football Nation. Piller went to one of Trent's basketball games recently, and the younger McNair didn't disappoint. The now 46-year-old widow continues to keep her partners memories alive through her work and hopes that his children do the same. McNair had dreams of his restaurant becoming a chain. [53], Dyson was unable to break the plane of the goal line, "Titans to Retire Steve McNair's No. But his phone kept ringing. ", McNair was known as one of the toughest players in the NFL. "Don't go," Tyler and Trent told him. Hell graduate high school in 2022, whereas his elder brother will graduate college in 2021. She wanted to be a doctor and wanted one child, but she didn't think much about a partner. The team would not let him rehab in its building because it feared an injury would force the franchise to pay him $23.46 million (his contract had been restructured so often that his salary cap reached a hard-to-manage amount). Not to mention, he has played with two of the reputed football teams, Houston Titans and Baltimore Ravens, along with Lamar Jackson. She never worried about that with Tyler, but for some reason, she thinks about it now that it's just her and Trent. I can't wallow in it. Steve McNair's wife forces his mother to pay rent then sells house - Bossip "Mama," Mechelle asked, "do you think it's true?". And that I still don't sometimes. According to the last reports, Mechelle never remarried but is dating, and she received a degree in nursing years ago. She says she protects her heart and her kids. Copyright 2021, All Right Reserved MARRIEDCELEB. The team officially changed its name from Oilers to Titans for the 1999 season as they debuted a new stadium, Adelphia Coliseum. According to his wife, Michele, the will that his agent claimed was drawn up has been lost. Tyler believes it's the same thing his dad would have said. For whatever reason, Michelle believes that Lucille should have to pay ($3,000/month) to live in the home that her millionaire son built. When people say that to me, I'm always like, 'Where are they getting this from?' One of the popular celebrity wives, Mechelle McNair, is best-known as the wife of late Steve McNair. Steve McNair death: Timeline of how it happened - The Tennessean In 2013, she sold their 13,000-square-foot house and moved to a smaller home. The boxes are unpacked, the dorm room is clean, and there is nothing else to do but say goodbye. According to Piller, Trent hit five 3-pointers. Tyler tells her everything, even the stuff that can get him grounded. "I can't say that I didn't have my bitter moments. [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. One year after former Tennessee Titans star Steve McNair was shot and killed, details emerge about the life of Sahel Kazemi, the woman who police say pulled the trigger then turned the gun on herself. Nobody knew where he was. I don't want to be here by myself. Beach Boys, Ludacris, Ashanti and more: See lineup for Hard Rock Casino She stood up, the pain radiated from the right side of her skull, and she had to lie back down. In 1998, McNair set career passing highs with 492 attempts, 289 completions, 3,228 yards, and 15 touchdowns for the Oilers, now competing in Nashville. How was she feeling? 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. Mourners console Lucille McNair, the mother of Steve McNair, during the former NFL quarterback's funeral Saturday in Hattiesburg, Miss. Late in the season, he also appeared briefly against the Detroit Lions and New York Jets. But she put off doing the paperwork, and Alcorn was the school that offered her a scholarship. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. He leaned on his mother, Mechelle, and Tyler, at left. Dance was his release, a way of working through his emotions. Before she met McNair, Mechelle never thought she would get married. In the week 14 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, McNair threw the longest regular-season touchdown pass in the Ravens' history, an 89-yard touchdown pass to Mark Clayton. Initially, she did not believe her husband was dead. He never forced his sons to play sports. I've been there." But when she saw how committed Tyler was to dance, she told him to do what makes him happy. It was just like 2009. Beach Boys; Friday, August 11. The transition from football player to businessman was not smooth. They got married in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1997, and a year later, Tyler came along. "Most of the time I really don't hear it that much, but when I do, it's a little bit embarrassing. He will want to spend more time with his friends, not his mom. [6] McNair's record for total offensive yards still stands as of 2018, but his mark for career passing yards was eclipsed by Samford quarterback Devlin Hodges in 2018. He says that McNair would do the same thing for him, and that what he does isn't much. Piller likes to mess with Trent sometimes and tells him he could probably jump higher if he'd cut his long hair. He ran his finger through the print and sounded out the words he knew. He was quiet until you knew him, and he waited a while to talk to her. When the police arrived, his corpse was on the couch with . He will want to spend more time with his friends, not his mom. 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. He was also named First-Team All-SWAC for the third year in a row. McNair and Colts quarterback Peyton Manning were named co-NFL MVPs following the 2003 season, which ended for the Titans in a playoff loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. Why Steve McNair's Legacy Won't Be Remembered the Way It Should He said he had to go, and kissed the boys goodbye. Steve McNair's Widow, Children Given $500,000 Each - NewsOne "He was tough from day one.". "He didn't want to do anything. He did not have a will, creating a painful mess that dragged on for years. "I think it was important for [Lucille] because you see a part of your son you lost," Mechelle says. She was slow to trust after her husband's death and never remarried. Ten years later: a conversation with the family of Steve McNair - WJTV "I don't want to be alone," she says. The gun was also found near her dead body at the crime scene. He says she needs to go out more, to have fun sometimes. Christmas break is over, and the house is quiet. Steve McNair - Wikipedia "Steve was a good person," Mechelle's mother says. Nearly 5,000 people mourned McNair at Reed Green Coliseum on the campus of Southern Miss. From that moment on, she could not let her children see her break down. "I feel like I'm just living. "He paved the way and now it's time for you to move forward.". "He said momma,we need the moneyand I said look,your education is more important," said Lucille. She doesn't want to go through any more pain. A "True Crimes with Aphrodite Jones" episode filmed in 2013 even pointed suspicion at her. But now one of them is leaving, and Mechelle is just trying not to lose it. "Just stay focused and move on up. McNair played with the Titans franchise for 11 seasons before finishing his career with the Baltimore Ravens (200608). [36][37] The day of the shooting, text messages between the pair were exchanged proclaiming their love to one another in which Kazemi texted the victim, "u love me" in which McNair replied, "I love you baby. He kissed Mechelle and told her he loved her, too. We care about your data. She is thankful for that last day McNair had with the boys and for that night when they argued and made up. Ex-Tennessee tight end Bo Scaife filled Tyler's closet with sneakers. Early in the season, McNair was diagnosed with an inflamed disk following the Titans' 3635 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, and needed surgery. It is a misdemeanor offense in Tennessee for an owner of a motor vehicle to knowingly allow an intoxicated person to drive the vehicle. He also cut his interceptions to ten, helping his quarterback rating climb to 80.1. This time, against the St. Louis Rams in the biggest game of his life, McNair helped to turn Super Bowl XXXIV into a circus-like affair. Twitter wasn't a factor yet, but there were plenty of media outlets to feed off of the stunning story of a Tennessee football hero killed by 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi, a woman with whom he'd been having an affair. But McNair was persistent. McNair said he loved them. I'm not going to do it.". He ran to the kitchen and got a knife. They carry pieces of Steve, from Tyler's mannerisms to the way Trent calls people "Buddy." He told Mechelle that the alarm was going off at his restaurant, but she knows now that Kazemi was probably the one who called. See our privacy policy. In a short while, the officials concluded that shed shot her boyfriend before turning the gun on herself in a jealous rage. [29][30], McNair was married to Mechelle McNair[31] from June 21, 1997, until his death. Years ago, after Cartwright lost her own husband, Steve had told her to pack her bags and come live with them. Family of Steve McNair dividing up estate despite lack of signed will - al I'm not going to do it." So this week we sat down with Steve McNair's mother. At the time, it was considered one of the biggest funerals in the state. In the process, he surpassed more than a dozen records and was named an All-American. "At the end of the day, that's my husband," she says. McNairs wife Michele cut his mother out of her grandchildrens life. But I'm not going to hell blaming somebody or having the hate and animosity in my heart. Peep the video below. Though McNair was an NFL quarterback, he never wanted to force football or sports on his children. He tried to do both at first, but soon it was too much. Tyler, who was 10, started crying. They met at Alcorn State, a historically black college in rural Claiborne County, Mississippi. 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. After the death of her husband, she has not married nor has any relationship with other men. But when she saw how committed Tyler was to dance, she told him to do what makes him happy. Corrections? Ludacris, FloRida and Ashanti; Thursday, July 20. The boys call Mu "Uncle Mike." He didn't just turn out all right. If I'm playing football and I hear her, I kind of just ignore it. Everyone wanted to know what Mechelle was feeling. "I feel like I'm just living. The 2009 murder of Steve McNair: Cops say Kazemi's unraveling life led to murder-suicide. But he could be there for McNair's boys. "They were slipping and playing football on the peewee team. By all accounts, although Steve was usually exhausted when at home due to his practice and games, things were good for the McNair family, especially after he retired in 2008. I do know that. "They ain't got nothing,he would say. 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. The judge agreed, and each of the four children received $500,000. McNair was selected with the third pick in the 1995 NFL draft by the Houston Oilerswho became the Tennessee Titans in 1999. She and Steve McNair had two sons together. McNair set career records for the Football Championship Series with 14,496 passing yards, as well as the division record for total offensive yards with 16,823 career yards. All rights reserved. McNair was in the passenger seat and Vent Gordon, a chef at a restaurant McNair owned, was in the back seat. But Lucille was more concerned with themmoving in the classroom. The boxes are unpacked, the dorm room is clean, and there is nothing else to do but say goodbye. This past summer, Mechelle and her sons visited Lucille in Mississippi. To Mechelle, he was sort of a gentle giant, romantic enough to hide an engagement ring in a piece of strawberry cake, country enough to skin a deer and cook it up for his teammates. In that contest, McNair returned from an injury and helped Alcorn State, trailing late in the final period, move deep into Tigers' territory. [24] The quarterback's charge was dropped on July 10, 2007 when McNair's brother-in-law pleaded guilty to reckless driving.[25]. There was one problem: His heart wasn't in it anymore, and he wanted to dance instead. But did I know about her? Nashville Police Chief Ronal Serpas said, "The police department has concluded that Steve McNair was murdered by Sahel Kazemi and that, in turn, Sahel Kazemi killed herself with a single gunshot wound to her head.". Called a Warrior on the field,McNair often played through bruises, concussionsand other fairly serious injuries. George Clark/Hattiesburg American POOL/Getty Images Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). EXCLUSIVE: Steve McNair: A mother's memories - wlbt.com She would not lose it in front of them. "I can deal with not having Steve here a lot more because I see him still every day in his boys.". Copyright 2016 MSNewsNow. Before she met McNair, Mechelle never thought she would get married. 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. Without a doubt, she must have inherited a portion of her husband's fortune. It's his way of being around his brother still. He split time between his home in Nashville and his farm in Collins, Mississippi. Steve and Mechelle shares two children from their marital relationship. 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. And I don't feel like that's how God wants us to be." Did I know about some other people and some other things? In his last days, McNair seemed overwhelmed at times, almost as if he was at a crossroads, Mechelle says. Jul 06, 2009 at 12:08 pm. He made at least $90 million in salary over his 13-year career with the Houston Oilers, Tennessee Titans and. Their normal. He sat behind her in class and constantly flirted. Former Titans Chris Johnson and Vince Young took the boys to the locker room, just as their dad had done. Steve McNair's No.9 jersey will be retired during a halftime ceremony during Sunday's home opener against the Indianapolis Colts. Just because she doesnt know how to manage money doesnt mean she can bully her dead husbands poor old mother! McNair was selected to the Pro Bowl four times, and was an All-Pro and Co-MVP in 2003. The pressure to be Steve McNair's son weighs heavily. 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. Timeline of Steve McNair and Sahel 'Jenni' Kazemi leading up to their deaths. But,according to his mother,that was just a fraction of who Steve McNair was. Mechelle found strength and independence she never thought she had. She once took him on a girlfriends-only trip to the Bahamas, and if anyone took issue with it, well, tough. She had hoped to go to Southern Miss. 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. There wasn't anything those children wanted that he didn't get for them. He loved us. His good friend Zach Piller, right, protected him on the field and served as one of his pallbearers. The house actually had been on the market before McNair died, but then the housing crisis hit, and it bounced on and off the listings for four years. Tyler and Trent immediately flipped into kid mode, running around with their cousins, sprawling out on sleeping bags at bedtime, swearing they'd stay up all night. She didn't usually get as much . "Steve was a good person," Mechelle's mother says. Those assets included the million dollar mansion he had built for his mother, Lucille, to live in during her twilight years. Trent will put his hands on his hips and walk to the bench, and it reminds Piller of Steve heading to the huddle. The boys are constantly chasing a ghost, a man who, in death, is still the biggest sports legend in Nashville. It would not go away. Also known as: Air McNair, Steve LaTreal McNair. Steve McNair was buried on a Saturday in his home state of Mississippi. He took care of us. But her sons were terrified and confused. "Nope," she says. He was a tenacious defender who helped his team win two state championships. Mechelle was born in 1973 in the USA. "I mean, I'm here by myself. The man who had taken epidurals and basically crawled around in pain six days a week but somehow played football on Sundays couldn't be gone. Things around the McNair family have been tense, to say the least, since Steve passed in 2009. His early death became fodder for tabloids: the married McNair was found dead in a condominium alongside a woman he had been dating whom police believed killed him and then herself. Her children had never seen her like that. He was human. Since she loves taking care of others, shes even thinking of becoming a foster parent. But her sons were terrified and confused. In addition, McNair won the Walter Payton Award as the top I-AA player and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting behind Rashaan Salaam and Ki-Jana Carter. Piller, a former guard for the Titans, was one of McNair's pallbearers.
Brian Sullivan Say Yes To The Dress,
Origin Energy Off Peak Times,
What Famous Actress Lived In The House Zak Bagans Bought,
On Your Mark Staten Island,
Helicopter Mountain Wedding,
Articles W
