It would not go away. But Fred was more,Fred would pick you apart. 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. The 46 years old wife of Steve, Mechelle was married to her long-time husband, Steve McNair, until 2009. Everyone wanted to know what Mechelle was feeling. Maybe they would have been anyway, had Steve McNair not been killed. Mrs. McNair talked about the time Steve, not yet a teen, was raking leaves and burning them in the yard. "I feel like I'm just living. "I can deal with not having Steve here a lot more because I see him still every day in his boys." In December of the 2003 season, an injured calf and ankle kept McNair sidelined for two games, though he still finished with the best numbers of his career, including 3,215 passing yards, 24 touchdown passes, just seven interceptions,[17] and a quarterback rating of 100.4. So this week we sat down with Steve McNair's mother. Unfortunately, she has been very tight-lipped concerning her professional life. Also known as: Air McNair, Steve LaTreal McNair. "I didn't know about her at all," Mechelle says. Nine years after Mechelle McNair's world caved in, her oldest son, Tyler, is going to NYU on an academic scholarship. 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. 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. "He was the first person to come," Tyler says. He was the starting quarterback for Alcorn State for all but one game in his four-year college football career. It was just like 2009. For many, the pain still lingers and will never go away. For whatever reason, Michelle believes that Lucille should have to pay ($3,000/month) to live in the home that her millionaire son built. Mechelle told him she didn't know. No, I did not.". Called a Warrior on the field,McNair often played through bruises, concussionsand other fairly serious injuries. The gun was also found near her dead body at the crime scene. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. "He said, 'but they need me and I'm not going to let them down.' He'd handled everything -- the bills, the taxes, the boys' baseball swings -- until it was just her. In the winter of 2016, Tyler was one of the best basketball players at Brentwood Academy, a Christian school with a powerhouse basketball program. "Most of the time I really don't hear it that much, but when I do, it's a little bit embarrassing. He told them to find something they loved and do it well. God and her friends and family who cooked and took the kids swimming and handled everything. [6], McNair appeared in the playoffs four times with the Titans, including their run to Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000, and made his final playoff appearance in 2006 with the Ravens. Nobody knew where he was. Nine years later, it's still hard for him to talk about McNair. She never worried about that with Tyler, but for some reason, she thinks about it now that it's just her and Trent. Fortunately, Mechelle grabbed him and stopped him. Judy Winslow Was an Integral Part of the 'Family Matters' Dynamic. If I'm playing football and I hear her, I kind of just ignore it. He did annoying things, peeking at her test answers, sticking his giant feet on her book bag. This was how Steve McNair told his mother he would now be making enough money where she could quit her job. Sports was always one of the tougher areas for Mechelle to navigate. Visit Us: MarriedCeleb To Know More About Celebrity Wife. Although she didn't grow up playing sports, Mechelle quickly acclimated herself to the life of a football wife. Trent shows flashes of great talent at quarterback, but he won't play the position. Initially, she did not believe her husband was dead. Death of Mechelle's Husband, Steve McNair. He ran to the kitchen and got a knife. I'm just pushing forward. But I'm not going to hell blaming somebody or having the hate and animosity in my heart. McNair left a large estate behind that's in probate in both Tennessee and Mississippi. After his death, Mechelle went to the court and claimed $500,000 each for their children's care and expenses from her husband's assets. In 2011, a legal spat between Mechelle and Lucille over property in Mississippi played out in the local news media. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt) . She said she couldn't bear to lose both of them. She thinks he shows his emotions too much. "I mean, I'm here by myself. Dance was his release, a way of working through his emotions. She would lean on her friends, who dropped everything to be with her in Nashville, or cry to her aunts and uncles. But she put off doing the paperwork, and Alcorn was the school that offered her a scholarship. He didn't win the Heisman,but was taken 3rd in the NFL draft,heading to Houston to become an Oiler,and eventually,a Tennessee Titan. Tyler, who is majoring in biology at NYU while continuing to pursue his dancing dreams, forged a path so different from his father's. He pushed an air mattress beside Tyler's bed when his brother was home and slept there. "That word will always get to me. Steve and Mechelle had happily welcomed their first child, Tyler McNair, a year after getting married, followed by Trenton roughly five years later. He took care of us. In 2001, McNair registered career passing highs in yards (3,350), completions (264), touchdowns (21), and quarterback rating (90.2). 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. 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. He probably wouldn't have spent most of the summer dreading this moment, standing in front of a college dorm, trying not to cry. I still love him. In his senior season, McNair gained 6,281 combined yards rushing (904) and passing (5,377), along with 56 touchdowns. I do know that. "I don't want him to look at me and say, 'Oh, my mom is just kind of relaxed,'" she says. We've joined the BHM Digital family of websites and have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Pat Boone, a singer from the 1950s, eventually bought the home. Mechelle told him she didn't know. She was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. NFL home 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. It is a misdemeanor offense in Tennessee for an owner of a motor vehicle to knowingly allow an intoxicated person to drive the vehicle. 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. The transition from football player to businessman was not smooth. That same show aired as a rerun last week, on the night of the Super Bowl. Not only did he always keep them safe and well-provided for, but he was also present when needed. SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE. 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. And that I still don't sometimes. She would wonder, later, about signs. Ordered To Return Faith Evans' $164K Mercedes After Joyriding To Coachella, Michael Jackson's Mother Katherine Jackson Battles With Pop Star's Estate Over Secret Deal. 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. She merely wanted to grieve her loss in private. Sometimes on the Fourth of July, he picked up the kids and bought fireworks and did anything that took their minds off the anniversary. She and her sons settled into a house surrounded by trees and the occasional deer that plops down in the middle of the yard. Times when the family would pair up in teams and wrestle, Mechelle and Tyler on one side; Trent and Steve on the other. Over the next five games, O'Donnell led the Titans to a 41 record. I still love him. "They ain't got nothing,he would say. He's going to kick the world's ass. "I'll be back in a little while," he said. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Times when McNair would take the boys out on his motorcycle and they didn't even need to talk. McNair completed 18 of 29 pass attempts for 173 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions as the Ravens lost, 156. She thinks about the next chapter in her life. According to the last reports, Mechelle never remarried but is dating, and she received a degree in nursing years ago. However, McNair later bailed Kazemi out of jail. "I can deal with not having Steve here a lot more because I see him still every day in his boys.". Editor's note: Sports Illustrated is releasing a podcast examining the death of former Titans quarterback . "That word will always get to me. He tried to do both at first, but soon it was too much. At the time, it was considered one of the biggest funerals in the state. In 2011, a legal spat between Mechelle and Lucille over property in Mississippi played out in the local news media. Christmas break is over, and the house is quiet. 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. 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. Image via ABC. But if I'm playing basketball, I kind of look up there and tell her to sshhhhh.". According to Piller, Trent hit five 3-pointers. He asked how somebody could do this to his daddy. He didn't just turn out all right. The closest town, if you want to call it that, is Lorman, a community with one known claim to fame, the Old Country Store, which serves fried chicken that people drive hours for. Mechelle didn't particularly want to go to such a tiny school. She was so happy at the end of their talk, when he said she could attend the next employee meeting. As they enter new stages of their lives, they wonder what their father would think. She received her degree in nursing years ago. In continuing his charity and philanthropic work, Tennessee Titans Quarterback Steve McNair was recently honored as Nashville's Philanthropist of the Year. The funeral program included memories from McNair's mother, his wife . But now one of them is leaving, and Mechelle is just trying not to lose it. As questions swirled around the deaths of quarterback Steve McNair and his much-younger mistress, the mother of slain football star said Monday she doesn't want to know . He told them to find something they loved and to do it well. "I'm finally doing something I love, and I was happy year-round. But it gets worse, she told Steve's mom to pay $3,000 rent or get the hell out! Her children had never seen her like that. [52] On October 15, 2010, it was reported that McNair's widow went to a Nashville judge and asked that at least a portion of the assets be unfrozen for his children's care and expenses until the estate matters were resolved in court. [32], McNair earned the nickname "Air McNair" in high school. "I'll be back in a little while," he said. A post shared by Tyler McNair (@_tylahh_). It's his way of being around his brother still. "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." But McNair was persistent. She said she couldn't bear to lose both of them. He split time between his home in Nashville and his farm in Collins, Mississippi. A post shared by Trent McNair (@trentmac9). We care about your data. 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. It surprises her and forces her to ask the inevitable question: Who am I when my kids are grown and gone? Former Titans Chris Johnson and Vince Young took the boys to the locker room, just as their dad had done. The old home had too many memories. I know how it is when you ain't got nothing,and I never believed that I would be in this position to help other people," said Lucille. Eventually, he grew on her. She received her degree in nursing years ago. [7] McNair was the first AfricanAmerican quarterback to win AP NFL MVP and remains, along with Cam Newton, Patrick Mahomes, and Lamar Jackson, only one of four to win the award. He was catching up with friends and hanging out at Waffle House at 2 in the morning. Tyler came home for about a month, but he wasn't really there. In his last days, McNair seemed overwhelmed at times, almost as if he was at a crossroads, Mechelle says. He leaned on his mother, Mechelle, and Tyler, at left. This past summer, Mechelle and her sons visited Lucille in Mississippi. He'd say, 'I just need some rest.'" He was human. McNair threw for 3,228 yards and 15 touchdowns in '98, and he led the Titans to the Super Bowl a year later. VIDEO: Chelsea Handler Talks About Sex With 50 Cent & Dumping Him Because Of Ciara!!! Mechelle found strength and independence she never thought she had. She is dating someone, but meeting people has been a struggle. Maybe they would have been anyway, had Steve McNair not been killed. "He never cried, not once," Mrs. McNair. He sees flashes of his friend, and it helps him stay close to him. Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) scrambles during the Titans' 30-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 19, 1999. . "You're going to have people who say, 'Oh, she knew.' 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. McNair left a large estate behind that's in probate in both Tennessee and Mississippi. The boxes are unpacked, the dorm room is clean, and there is nothing else to do but say goodbye. 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. [42] The bodies were discovered by McNair's friends Wayne Neely and Robert Gaddy, who called 911. Trent is headstrong and stubborn and has a bit of a temper. In 1992, McNair threw 3,541 yards and 29 touchdowns, and ran in for 10 more scores. Everyone changed. [24] The quarterback's charge was dropped on July 10, 2007 when McNair's brother-in-law pleaded guilty to reckless driving.[25]. How was she feeling? This past summer, Mechelle and her sons visited Lucille in Mississippi. Here Are The 7 Best Date Night Restaurants in Cleveland! 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. McNair was known for his tenacity in playing through injuries and his dexterity as a scrambler or passer. McNair was known as one of the toughest players in the NFL. He was a tenacious defender who helped his team win two state championships. 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. Time, if you handle it right, has a way of filtering out the bad memories but leaving the good. The pressure to be Steve McNair's son weighs heavily. If I'm playing football and I hear her, I kind of just ignore it. Read More: How Did Mike Tysons Daughter Die? Thus, all of Steves assets were left to her. "You know boys are going to be boys," she said. In the days leading up to Steve McNair's death, he spent time at Nashville bars, went fishing and helped put his . He was quiet until you knew him, and he waited a while to talk to her. More on Steve McNair He pictured his dad sitting in a pew, his leg sticking out in the aisle because the seat was too small for his giant body. Steve McNair Jr.was still in high school when his dad died, starring on the gridiron at Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg. Uh Oh! He never forced his sons to play sports. She is thankful for that last day McNair had with the boys and for that night when they argued and made up. But it gets worse, she told Steves mom to pay $3,000 rent or get the hell out! Sahel Kazemi allegedly shot and killed Steve McNair, then herself. "[People] always say, 'Oh, I admire you so much. Since she loves taking care of others, shes even thinking of becoming a foster parent. That drove Mechelle nuts, the waking up in the middle of the night. But his phone kept ringing. Regardless of how he left here, I know he loved us. Highlights from his career were played throughout each day and fans were able to sign books that were later given to the McNair family. Mechelle knows life will change again soon, when Trent gets his driver's license. and in junior high they started doing,and I saidsomething is not right about this. During the 2009 NFL season, every member of the Titans wore a commemorative "9" sticker placed on the back of each helmet to honor McNair. "[38] There was also a conversation about financial issues where McNair transferred $2,000 to Kazemi, who claimed she was "stressed" and needed to pay her phone bill. 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. So instead,he headed to Alcorn State University,following his brothers Fredand Tim. He made a mistake. [20], The 2006 season saw McNair start each game for the Ravens, missing only portions of two games.
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