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Sunday, July 5, 2009

Update (2:20 p.m.)

When Donovan McNabb was a rookie with the Eagles in 1999, Steve McNair was leading the Tennessee Titans to the Super Bowl.

Today, the Eagles' quarterback reacted to the stunning news od McNair's death.

"Shocking. Tragic. I can't find many other words to describe what happened to Steve McNair," McNabb said, according to the team's Web site. "He was a good friend to me over the years. My condolences go out to his family."

From earlier:

We'll use this space today to get caught up on more of the details surrounding Steve McNair's death, which shocked the football world Saturday afternoon.

** The woman who was found dead from a single gunshot wound to the head was 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi. According to several published reports, the gun was found near Kazemi's body. The pair was involved in a DUI traffic stop on Thursday, according to the Nashville City Paper. Kazemi had been pulled over while driving an SUV registered to both her and McNair. Per the report, McNair had been approached and threatened at a Nashville restaurant on Friday evening.

** McNair is survived by his wife MeChelle and four sons.

** The Tennessean is calling the death an "apparent murder-suicide" and reports that McNair and Kazemi had been dating for months. According to the article, Kazemi told police she was high and not drunk when they stopped her on Thursday.

** The Tennessean also reports that Wayne Neely, a longtime friend of McNair, found the bodies shortly after 1 p.m.

** Jeff Fisher, visiting troops in the Persian Gulf, talked to The Tennessean about McNair's death:

"I am deeply saddened and at this point do not have the words to describe this loss," Fisher said. “It is an extremely emotional moment and I don’t have the words to explain how I am feeling. I ask people to please pray for Mechelle and the entire McNair family. This is a tragic moment for his family, and it is a tragic moment for anyone who knew and loved Steve."

** Good, succinct commentary by Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle:

I don’t know what happened to McNair. I don’t know the circumstances of his death. I just know there are layers to all of us, that none of us is perfect, that it’s foolish to paint someone with a single brush. I also know Steve McNair cared about people and performed brilliantly and courageously on the football field. In the ways we should measure a professional athlete, there were few better than McNair. I know he touched a lot of people in the right way, and today their hearts are breaking.

** Redskins quarteback Jason Campbell, also a Mississipi native, had this to say about McNair, according to The Washington Post:

"The whole black quarterback thing, it's like a fraternity," Campbell said. "Guys who played before you pass the torch down to younger guys. You always keep in contact with those guys who came before you. You try to keep in contact with them and learn as much as possible from them. Losing a guy like that from our fraternity ... it hurts because of how much you looked up to him. He's definitely one of the guys I looked up to. A lot of other guys looked up to him to. It's just a real hard day."

I remember being in Baltimore when the Ravens acquired McNair. A team with a top-notch defense that was looking to fill the void at QB. I was at Camden Yards when he threw out the first pitch at an Orioles game and was introduced to the Baltimore fans. He led the Ravens to a 13-3 record in his first season before they fell to the Colts in the playoffs.

As I said yesterday, feel free to share your thoughts and memories of McNair, or pass along good links that I might have missed.

Posted by Sheil Kapadia @ 10:24 AM  Permalink | 65 comments
65
Comments   
Posted 10:41 AM, 07/05/2009
iceberg584
I'll never forget him willing the Titans down the field on that final drive in the Super Bowl against the Rams. On the second-to-last play, he should have been sacked about 15 yards behind the line of scrimmage. Instead he got the two St. Louis linemen pursuing him to collide with each other, freeing himself up to fire a pass to Kevin Dyson at the 10-yard line, setting up one final play to tie the game...
Posted 11:23 AM, 07/05/2009
mongoS
This guy was a true football player who wanted contact. He had a linebacker mentality playing and becoming a MVP QB..
Posted 12:17 PM, 07/05/2009
seaonasdad
I am white, and I am very saddened by this. McNair was a courageous QB and a leader. Those who act like they have no skeletons in their closet will be judged when the time comes. Thanks for some great football memories, Steve. No matter what color we are, your life and death prove that in reality, we are all just human beings.
Posted 12:19 PM, 07/05/2009
mikerainey82
Further proof that they are all crazy. Any woman that messes with a married guy is bat $hit crazy. Don't fall into the trap.
Posted 12:23 PM, 07/05/2009
IssueMovement
Mark1npt: I believe the black community may be WONDERING, not wandering. And I know for sure you are an idiot. McNair was a stand up guy on and off the field throughout his life. People make mistakes. This one happened to cost his. And we should all be saddened by his loss.
Posted 12:46 PM, 07/05/2009
yahmpy
John 8:7
Posted 01:26 PM, 07/05/2009
heaterman
Good one 'fred2fred1' very well thought out! LOL
Posted 01:33 PM, 07/05/2009
heaterman
TMZ.com has pictures of the happy couple on vacation together-- I am thinking that maybe he and his wife had an 'understanding'-- why else would he have been so public as to allow pictures to be taken-- Also what in the world would he have to talk about with a 20 year old girl-- seems pretty disgraceful IMO
Posted 01:55 PM, 07/05/2009
jay johnstone
I'm sure Donabin will find just the right thing to say...
Posted 01:57 PM, 07/05/2009
Bobphxville
I am so sick of hearing about the "black quarterback thing". Get over yourselves. Stand on your own two feet. Compete without complaining about your race. How many doctors and lawyers today wouldn't even be in their profession, if they weren't given a break beacuse of their race - and took the spots of more qualified people. Look at NASA - we could put a man on the moon before there was affirmative action. Now, they can barely launch a space shuttle. Now that's progress.
Posted 02:14 PM, 07/05/2009
theanswer80
forgot clinton, kennedy, edwards, plenty more too.
Posted 02:45 PM, 07/05/2009
robkaos
Toughest QB ever, RIP
Posted 02:49 PM, 07/05/2009
notch44
to all people who claim not to be racist this is how it works. When Mark Sanford John Ensign Eliot Spitzer Bill Clinton Gary Hart etc cheated on their spouses did you blame all white people? Of course not. Then what does Steve McNairs race have to do with anything? Nothing. He's just another two timing athlete.
Posted 02:52 PM, 07/05/2009
Swyve
Bobphxville - Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! I sense you were passed over for a job by a MORE QUALIFIED person of color. Get over yourself.
Comment removed.
Posted 03:11 PM, 07/05/2009
TBear
Just about everything I've read, or probably will read in the next few days has or will include the phrase "role model". I have no trouble being shocked and somewhat saddened by the death of a tremendous football leader. I used to marvel at watching what he could do on a football field. But I object to the "role model" thing. The same way as I throw up at that South Carolina Senator hiding behind a Bible for his erstwhile "roll model" handling of his ridiculous extra-marital affair. Don't be shouting 'racist' at me either......and really, I don't even care TOO much about the betrayed wives. But DAMMIT!!...they had multiple children! You just don't DO that to kids.
Posted 03:12 PM, 07/05/2009
Bama
White or black, if he was screwing another woman behind his wife's back, he is not a role model. I won't say he deserved what he got, but he doesn't deserve praise, either.
Posted 03:13 PM, 07/05/2009
mongoS
yeah bob's comments were ridiculous but typical.
Posted 03:15 PM, 07/05/2009
yantastic
Bobphxville-people may get a "break"/financial aid due to affirmative action but EVERYONE who tries to be a lawyer/doctor still has to pass the BAR/Med review boards/etc. to practice their profession and THOSE tests don't care what you look like.
Posted 03:19 PM, 07/05/2009
mongoS
bama, i think people are praising what he did on the field and how he gave back to the community. his getting caught up with young female is not where the praise coming from.and yes he should not have to be killed for his poor choices in women.
Posted 03:27 PM, 07/05/2009
Nico Lange
How come people who are always hurt are called warriors for simply doing their job?
Posted 03:49 PM, 07/05/2009
Nutburgers
So minorities have ruined the space program? I think you've been drinking from the Schuylkill too much, Bobphxville.
Posted 03:52 PM, 07/05/2009
JACK V
wow, unbelivable comments. only in philadelphia? i doubt it.
Posted 04:08 PM, 07/05/2009
G
People are just so jealous, it's sad.
Comment removed.
Posted 04:24 PM, 07/05/2009
SteveS11
I don't judge Steve McNair for what he did or didn't do in his personal life. None of us are perfect and the face we show to the public is never the whole picture of who we are. Whatever happened here could happen to anyone. As a public figure, this will be scrutinized, but all it really proves is that whatever we do in life, there are no guarantees that it won't go horribly wrong.
Comment removed.
Posted 05:23 PM, 07/05/2009
ThomasFoley
bobphxville So the black man is responsible for NASA problems?
Posted 06:37 PM, 07/05/2009
meach1961
Philly people have to be the most ignorant people in America.
Posted 08:15 PM, 07/05/2009
Bobphxville
Swyve - I have yet to meet a more qualified person of color. Just take a look at what it takes to get into law school. They have LOWER qualifications required for "persons of color". Try competing against me on a level playing field. Until then - don't expect to be respected for achieving anything - as it was given to you - NOT earned.
Posted 08:20 PM, 07/05/2009
bobbyd24
I see that Jason Campbell is a racist.. looks at people base on their color.
Posted 08:21 PM, 07/05/2009
mongoS
Mcnair was one of the top QBs of his era no matter the color. The odds he had to overcome is just another example of his toughness on and off the field. This is guy who like countless other superior athletes who were asked to play DB in order to allow the less talented stiff to play QB. He had to go to a historically black university just to prove himself at QB. No doubt he is a role model and example to so many young talented athletes out there who dare desire to play the QB spot.
Posted 08:26 PM, 07/05/2009
Bobphxville
Yes minorities will continue to progress as long as the system permits (and requires) that to occur. And yes, I have worked in a technological field for more than 25 years. Advancing any group of people becasue of race, creed, religion, etc will weaken the organization. The BEST should advance irrespective of race. The Polich didn't need special rules ot assist them - not the Italians or the Irish. Sleep well knowing that you needed help to compete in society.
Posted 08:29 PM, 07/05/2009
mongoS
The fraternity that Campbell is talking about is due to a racist society that carried over to the football field. While white society adjusted somewhat and allowed blacks to play football there still was then and still in more subtle ways today a resistance to allow blacks to play the qb spot. Obviously when athletes of color have in common the fact they kicked down this barrier a natural bond is formed.
Posted 08:39 PM, 07/05/2009
mongoS
A racist biggest nightmare is a level playing field that goes back to slavery when the slave master wouldn’t allow the slaves to read or write. It goes back to sports when the bigger, stronger and faster athletes couldn’t compete on the same field. It goes back to segregation when kids couldn’t get access to a quality education. Racism is systematic and in every fiber of what this country was built on.
Posted 08:40 PM, 07/05/2009
foment3
mix strong emotions with guns and you get this. No reason to ban guns but something has to give and people need to stop this type of violence. Life would have moved on and been just fine for both I am sure but now....nothing.
Posted 09:14 PM, 07/05/2009
cm3737
Hey, here's a thought. Keep it in your pants.
Posted 09:27 PM, 07/05/2009
Phillymike77
Was always a fan of Mcnair. Was sorry to see this happen and don't wish this on anyone but you gotta watch some of the S you get into. "Crimes (murders) of Passion are all too frequent.
Posted 10:02 PM, 07/05/2009
TripleOption
I still think Steve McNair should have won the 1994 Heisman Trophy during his Senior year at Alcorn State. He was phenomenal, but just didn't get enough exposure that year. I believe he finished third in the voting behind the winner Rashaan Salaam (Colorado) and the runner-up Ki-Jana Carter (Penn State).
Posted 11:25 PM, 07/05/2009
Joe Funk
I enjoyed watching McNair in Houston, sorry to hear about this....to the NASA side bar...a Nanny state cannot do great things, too afraid of failure and death.
Comment removed.
Posted 05:55 AM, 07/06/2009
thefeature
Truth be told, a man his age should have been home with his kids. Not out at a club or with a woman almost half his age. This horrible murder is not a reflection on a man's race, but a reflection on man's priorities. No one will learn from this and his murder will be in vain.
Posted 07:42 AM, 07/06/2009
FireChief
We can do without all of you racist (black and white), there is no room for you idiots, a man was killed and all you can think of is going back and forth with this race thing, you all are sad excuses for human beings. Me, I'm sorry the man is dead, and I'm sorry the woman thought (if indeed she was the doer) she had to resort to violence to settle whatever it was she needed settled. Saw Steve in a few games, seemed to be a good QB, it's apparent that his teamates and fans in Tennessee thought the same. May both their souls rest in peace.
Posted 08:05 AM, 07/06/2009
FireChief
Not sure why you think that we (sports fans) care what a sports figure thinks about things that go on in the world. We care that they perform well in whatever sport they happen to play and help our teams get to the playoffs and possibly win a championship. Guess we'll be finding out what Shane Victorino thinks about pineapples, what Mike Richards thinks about the composites of a hockey puck and whether or not the making of them contributes to global warming and someone please find out if Andre Miller won't take a one year contract because he doesn't like Philly Cheesesteaks or soft pretzels. Keep your reporting to our major sports please!!! I didn't write this to say anything against the deaths of M. Jackson or Steve McNair, far from it, sorry they are both gone and hope that they rest in peace, but I really don't care what a sports person thinks about these type of things...
Posted 10:34 AM, 07/06/2009
Panthro22
Bobpunxvile is an ignorant racist coward. I'll bet he would never say half the stuff he's saying on here if he had to tell an African American that in person. His comments are best when ignored!
Comment removed.
Posted 11:09 AM, 07/06/2009
Rob Cherry
Black QB thing? GEEEEEZ . Why must there be labels on oursleves? How about QB Fraternity?
Posted 12:14 PM, 07/06/2009
MG44
Only a guy as "classy" as lonewolf would use this occasion to bash McNabb. Hey, has anyone ever seen lonewolf and Bernard Hopkins together? Didn't think so...hmmm
Posted 12:26 PM, 07/06/2009
janann
Another Professional Athlete who died way too young. And that's the shameful part of this story. Athletes shouldn't let other athletes waste their talents the way they do. It's a tight knit community, guys, you know what's going on -- Stand up like men while your friends are alive, not at their Memorials. This isn't about race, it's about the definition of a team -- on and off the field. How much longer are we going to sit back and let this happen - and it's us the fans that let this happen.
Posted 12:28 PM, 07/06/2009
tpizza
A man is dead and wiff takes the occasion to make jokes, rank "black" QBs according to some arbitrary system only he can follow and bash DM. Classless as always, not to mention hypocritical.
Posted 12:32 PM, 07/06/2009
JoeMammas
Guess he couldn't scramble in the backfield that well..
Comment removed.
Posted 01:07 PM, 07/06/2009
tpizza
Wiff, stop with the same old tired lies. Brutal attack? Hahahahahahahahha. What a joke you are. If you can find the post paste it here. [Like there's ever a chance of that happening. We know your record in direct challenges. 0 for a lifetime, isn't it?]. You taking the opportunity to bash DM at the expense of a murdered man is as low as it gets. You even topped your "barfing on the Lincoln Memorial" remark. Congrats. A new low, even for you. Believe me, I don't WANT to breathe the same as as you. Lowlifes like you make the air on the whole planet stink.
Comment removed.
Posted 02:31 PM, 07/06/2009
tpizza
I'm still civil to civil people,wiff. I just detest liars like you. You make baseless claims and when asked to prove your point you run like a little girl. When asked a direct question you hide under your sheets. When challenged to a fair bet you make conditions. And if there's one thing I could care less about than your opinion of me I can't think of it. Let me know when you tell the truth. I want to be there to witness it. I'll say it again, paste the post where I bashed JJ and I'll come over and wax your Lexus, when you get it off the blocks in your front yard that is. I DARE YOU, LIAR! Time to run and hide, wiff.
Comment removed.
Posted 06:54 PM, 07/06/2009
G
Petty prejudice, jealousy and anger, welcome to Philly. How Donovan saying good things about Steve McNair makes people start attacking Donovan again is so very Philly. And Lonewolf, just say you hate anyone non-white and you'll be less of a coward.
Posted 09:03 PM, 07/06/2009
tpizza
When the time is right? Translation: You got caught with your hand in the cookie jar and are running like a sissy girl...again. You just proved what a complete liar and fool you are wiff...again. Produce it now and I'll stop by and wax the Lexus, after you get it off the cinder blocks in the front yard. What a joke you are. Go back to Giants.com where you belong. And DON'T call me friend. That's reserved for non-liars.
Posted 12:26 AM, 07/07/2009
wokmaster
I loved the way McNair played the game. He did a hell of alot for the community. I was pulling hard for him to win that Superbowl against St Louis. One of the best not to win the big one...thanks for the memories, Steve.
Posted 06:38 AM, 07/07/2009
lunch
A 20 year old honey who is CRAZY about your thirty something rich behind, buyer beware
Posted 09:14 AM, 07/07/2009
eeglenutt
It's absolutely disgusting that Lonewolf chose an article on Steve McNair's death to bash McNabb and push his anti-McNabb agenda. You are a pig, Lonewolf. Disgusting.
Comment removed.
Posted 01:00 PM, 07/07/2009
tpizza
Posted on other articles. The hate monger complaining about someone else? What a joke. It just keeps getting better and better. Let me know when you get ready to paste my comment. Like that'll ever happen. ...and don't call me friend.
Posted 01:39 PM, 07/07/2009
oharabri
Lonewolf, most of the time I realize that you are on here to stir the pot. Admittedly, I have gotten caught up in your shenanigans but have gained to appreciate some of your insane comments as pure banter. This time man, maybe a little too far. You can argue all you want about the talent and skill of a football player but a man lost his life and another man paid his respects. No matter how you look at it, it shows class on McNabb's part but more importantly, it's tragic for McNair and his family. Additionally, we can all past judgement on this one and that one but no matter what, McNair did not deserve to be shot because he cheated on his wife. GO BIRDS!!!!
Posted 07:35 PM, 07/07/2009
lawrence2465
women the death of us all
About Moving the Chains
Sheil Kapadia is a sports producer for philly.com. His earliest memories as a sports fan include several trips to Veterans Stadium with his dad, most of which turned out disappointing results. He's here to discuss the NFL 365 days a year. E-mail him at skapadia@philly.com or by clicking here

And you can now follow Moving the Chains on Twitter.