Lone Star Struck

Former Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair was found shot to death this afternoon inside the living room of a downtown Nashville condominium.

Several reports confirm that he was shot multiple times. A female friend of McNair’s, Sahel Kazemi, age 20, was also found dead in the living room. She appeared to have a single gunshot wound to the head.

A hand gun was recovered close to the female’s body body and while it’s being called a double homicide, a murder/suicide has not been ruled out.

Autopsies are expected to be conducted this morning.

AP reported that a witness said that McNair arrived at the condominium in the early morning hours of Saturday. The witness said Kazemi’s vehicle was already there. Kazemi was arrested for DUI at 1:20 a.m. Thursday while driving a 2007 Cadillac Escalade registered to both her and McNair. McNair was in the front passenger seat of the vehicle at the time of the traffic stop at 9th Avenue and Broadway. He was deemed not to be in violation of the law and left the scene by taxi.

Steve McNair helped turn the Tennessee Titans into one of the AFC’s most consistent winners during his tenure and he became the face of the newly renamed franchise. Titans’ fans knew him as Air McNair although he was just as explosive on the ground as he was with his passing game.

McNair, a four-time Pro Bowler, led the Titans within a yard of forcing overtime in the 2000 Super Bowl, which they lost 23-16 to the St. Louis Rams. In that Super Bowl, McNair led the Titans 87 yards in the final two minutes, but came up a yard short of the tying touchdown when WR Kevin Dyson was tackled at the one-yard line.

McNair threw for over 31,000 yards during his career — including 27,141 with the Titans — and made the Pro Bowl four times. He also played his final two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and led them to a division title.

McNair was one of the most dynamic players in the NFL. He had the strength of a linebacker and used it to break tackles and take his offense to the ground. He was as tough as nails, a real bruiser who rushed for 3,590 yards and 37 touchdowns during his career and gained the respect of teammates and opponents alike.

McNair retired after the 2007 season, and he was inducted into the Oilers/Titans Hall of Fame and the Ring of Honor at LP Field last year.

To repeat, former Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair is dead at the age of 36.

Lone Star Struck is deeply saddened by the loss of one of the NFL’s former and brightest stars, and we offer our condolences to everyone who is touched by this terrible tragedy.