Born Stephen LaTreal McNair (February 14, 1973 - July 4, 2009) in Mount . Ten years later, he just chooses to focus on his favorite side of McNair. The Tribune is an independent newsroom free from commercial and political pressures. 10 p.m.: Kazemi and friend Courtney Carter speak on the phone and Kazemi asks for friend Lakresia Polites number. McNair found wide receiver Kevin Dyson who tried his best but was stopped inches short of the goal line. After shooting McNair in the head, Kazemi apparently shot him twice in the chest before shooting him again in the head and then shooting herself. Steve McNair played his college football at little-known Alcorn State. The Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl 2018 against the New England Patriots with a score of 41-33. Police earlier had labeled McNair's death a homicide, but waited for further tests and the revelations about Kazemi's personal problems before concluding that she pulled the trigger in a condominium McNair rented with a friend. FameUSA TodayMcNair's Widow Gets Control of . As his brother recalls, McNair's life was all about exploring . 8:14 a.m.: McNair texts Kazemi, who responds later. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. antibiotics for an infection that developed after shoulder surgery. In June, McNair opened a restaurant near the Tennessee State University campus. Gaddy later said what he saw would haunt him every day for the rest of his life. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair and a woman were found shot to death Saturday inside a residence in Nashville, police said. The pair met about six months ago at a middle-brow chain restaurant at a Nashville shopping mall where Kazemi worked as a waitress. After the shot, her body slid to the floor. She seemed happy and eager to build a life with him, but something went wrong. By 1997 he was the starter, and two years later, the Oilers-turned-Titans were headed to Super Bowl XXXIV. For many, the pain still lingers and will never go away. I was holding my breath and hoping it wasn't true. "(She was) very positive happy and upbeat all the time," former Kazemi boyfriend Keith Norfleet, observed to CBS News. She did, but her body slid to the floor and ended up at McNair's feet, Serpas said. It seemed inauthentic, though, so McNair ripped up the paper before speaking from his heart. ", But police say that, at 1 a.m. on July 2, Kazemi, with McNair in the car, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence. "He could literally flip a switch and make the pain go away," Reese said. Former teammate Eddie George said not to judge McNair but honor what he did to make himself a hero to so many people. Just imagine going from what you do every day and all of a sudden you're forced into doing something different. The two had been linked romantically despite the fact McNair was married. All indications are that it was a murder-suicide, but police are investigating all angles. On July 4, 2009, the former Titans player was found in his downtown Nashville condo . Instead, he was murdered on July 4, 2009, at age 36 by his alleged mistress. Seated on a sofa, McNair had been shot four times: twice in the chest, once in each side of his head. During his 11 years with the team, McNair made three Pro Bowls. Serpas said police believe McNair was asleep when he was killed because there were no defensive wounds. "People need to quit talking about what they don't know. The death of iconic Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair shook the sports world to its core back in 2009. His body was found, along with that of his alleged girlfriend, at a home he shared with her. He later made her bail. 3:09 a.m.: Norfleet clocks out at White Castle. will be showcased in each installment. Investigators said Kazemi had also seen another woman leave McNair's home. McNair stays for maybe 20 minutesbefore leaving with Ali. Sign In. "When Steve started holding his camps, nobody else was doing a whole lot of them," saidMitchell Williams, a Mississippi sports anchor who was close to McNair. McNairs college career was fascinating because he was so talented, so extraordinary and yet couldnt gain the respect he deserved from mainstream media. McNairwas dancing with fire, saidGregg McCrary, a retired FBI agent who spent more than 25 years with the bureau, including about a decade with the Behavioral Science Unit. . December 7, 2017. Which non-quarterback group will define each top-25 team's season? He later bailed her out. "When you transition from the game mentally and physically and emotionally transitionyou go through so much change. Steve McNair had wills drafted two or three times before his death, but never signed them. Complaint Number: 2009-527875. 12:40 p.m.: Wayne Neeley drives by McNairs condo. Hepicks up a friend and the two hang out at his apartment. He did as much as he possibly could to help the community, Mason said of the four-time Pro Bowler and2005 NFL Man of the Year nominee who wasthe highest-draftedAfrican Americanquarterback in NFL history when he was selected third overall in 1995. 1 p.m.: Kazemi arrives at Norfleet's apartment with a Subway sandwich. A family man. Time unknown: Kazemi and co-worker/friend Roosevelt Glass discussplansto see the fireworks on July 4 together and her DUI. Steve McNair. I got the guy transferring the money, 4:01 p.m. Kazemi: do u have my acc number, 4:04 p.m. Kazemi: baby I have to be w u 2nite. <p>The condominium where Steve McNair and a woman were found shot to death, center, is shown Saturday, July 4, 2009. And never-before-seen surveillance video shows Kazemi at the jail the night of her DUI. 12:30 a.m.: Ali drives Crowe, Crowe'sgirlfriend and McNair to Losers, a bar on Division Street. Thats the side that opened the door for a young, unsettled mistress to enter his life. Next Thursday marks the 10th anniversary of the death of legendary Alcorn State quarterback Steve McNair. "It was like, he has no enemies. Norfolk Southern train derails in Springfield, Ohio, At least 12 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, Trump speaks at CPAC after winning straw poll, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant to "take some time away" from the team after allegedly brandishing a gun in a club, Man charged for alleged involvement in 2 transformer explosions, Promising drug could provide alternative to statins, new study finds, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, Nikki Haley slams potential GOP contenders, and Trump and George W. Bush, NTSB to investigate in-flight turbulence that left 1 passenger dead. Kazemi's family told reporters that the woman was so confident McNair was divorcing his wife of 12 years that she was preparing to sell her furniture and move in with him. Yet, it was McNair the football player who has made us pay attention to all this. He does not have keys to the car and leaves it. I called 911 and told them they needed to get there. 12:45 a.m.: Gordon, McNair and Kazemi leave Corner Pub in Kazemi's Cadillac Escalade. You don't have to look far to figure out which players George meant. May you be richly blessed for all that you have done and continued to do. Projecting every College GameDay location ahead of the 2023 football season continues our way-too-early look at the new campaign, one we expect to be just as unpredictable as the last. 1:17 a.m.: Gilliam texts Kazemi, "u good". Stroud didn't take part in the athletic testing on Saturday, but that didn't stop the Ohio State QB from making a grand impression. Steve McNair would have turned 50 on Valentines Day. SI: True Crime's first narrative podcast, Steve McNair: Fall of a Titan will make you re-examine everything you think you know about the quarterback. Yet, Keteyian points out, police implied the DUI arrest fueled Kazemi's anger, triggering her purchase of the gun. More Stats. It caught so much media attention that the Braves next home game was televised on ESPN. The Tragic Death of Kevin Mawae's Brother Redefined His Legacy of Faith and Football. But police in Nashville, Tennessee said yesterday that they believe the death of Steve McNair, a quarterback who helped his side muscle into the Super Bowl nine years ago, was the result of an . But, the records obtained by CBS News show that the two-hour absence actually took place the day before, on Wednesday, July 1, "completely contradicting the police timeline, bringing into question if Kazemi ever even bought the gun," Keteyian says. She was charged with DUI. Last September, the Tennessee Titans retired the jersey numbers of both Steve McNair and Eddie George at halftime of their game against the Indianapolis Colts. 10:30 p.m.: Kazemi calls Polite and tells her shes going to McNairs condo. He retired from football two years ago after two seasons in Baltimore and returned to the city he had made his home. We made all kinds of preparations to be there you know my brother has a family you know so it takes time to actually get everything together, Steven said to WJTV. But, he adds, "We've discovered it's not that simple.". It seems that no matter how many ways you look at McNair's life or his death, it's hard to recall everything he did knowing that there was still so much he could have done. Police, however, say Kazemi simply lost it in the last week of her life -- stressed out over mounting bills and her relationship with McNair. "Everybody goes through something in their marriage.". Trailing 23-16, the Titans had the ball and one play left at the Rams 10-yard line. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. He gave back to the community. On July 4, 2009, Steve McNair and Sahel Jenni Kazemi were found dead with gunshot wounds in a condo that McNair had rented in Nashville. Steve McNair, a Mississippi native who starred at Alcorn State University and became a Heisman Trophy candidate, died on July 4, 2009. . Never have I heard a how are you hows school, your brothers would love to see you never received any of that, he said. He was hesitant to talk at first because he said he didnt want to take the spotlight away from Fred. That was the side of McNair that so thoroughly masked the other. "He was a tremendous leader and an absolute warrior. McNair began his career in 1995 with the Houston Oilers, who eventually became the Titans, and finished with 31,304 yards passing and 174 touchdowns. NHL trade deadline: Winners and losers, including the Bruins, Devils and Bruce Boudreau? "My thing, what I would say to this new generation or this new group coming in, respect and appreciate what you have now because you never know," Dyson said. "He established his business in the heart of the black community over at TSU to have a strong and powerful impact,"former Titans running back Eddie George said. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. This figure represents a 2.6% increase from last year when the average cost of a breach was USD 4.24 million. 10:34 a.m. Kazemi: im gonna try to sleep. 5 p.m.: Kazemi clocks out for a 30-minute break at Dave & Buster's but doesn't return for two hours. It has to be consistent and accurate leading up to the shooting, or you may not have a murder-suicide. Time unknown: Kazemi's manager at Dave & Buster's, TonyFarahani, notices Kazemi spends almost an hour talking to an unidentified man at the restaurant. USA Today reported that the Metro Nashville Police Department concluded Kazemi shot and killed . But we need your help to continue that critical work. "And then he retires and he got a chance to just spend it with his family.". Fred McNair, Steve McNair's oldest brother, said some family members likely will travel to Nashville on Monday to consult with Steve McNair's wife. Since his death friends have intimated that he found it hard to cope with life after fame. Long nights out drinking? The shocking death of former NFL quarterback Steve McNair and infidelity among sports stars is the main topic of discussion among families of professional athletes. Sahel "Jenni" Kazemi shot and killedMcNair before turning the gun on herself on July 4, 2009, the Metro Nashville Police Departmentconcluded. George remembers McNairmaking a speech before one of his camps. Kazemi had just split with her boyfriend and gave McNair, a regular diner, her phone number. The death of former NFL quarterback Steve McNair shocked people in Nashville and around the country. I met McNair on May 27, 2000, when big brother Fred McNair and the original Air McNair by the way signed with the Carolina Cobras of the Arena Football League. SEC Men's Basketball Tournament 2023 bracket, schedule, TV info, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. She wouldn't have hurt anyone.". McNair had been wincing in pain from the outset. . Carrick said . And, truth be told, didnt want to. "He was probably searching for something. USA Today reported that the Metro Nashville Police Departmentconcluded Kazemi shot and killed McNair before shooting herself. On July 4, 2009, at 1:35 p.m., a 911 call was placed to the Emergency Communications . This article was amended on 10 July 2009. All indications are that it was a murder-suicide, but police are investigating all angles. Family of Steve McNair dividing up estate despite lack of signed will. Legal Statement. He wouldnt put up those eye-popping numbers (15,010 passing yards, 2,295 yards rushing and 122 touchdowns in four years) in a stronger conference. "I go running down to the locker room to congratulate him and hes laying on the table in the training room, convulsing," Reese said, "because he was in so much pain that he just could barely take it. He was hurting, but he was in that huddle. "Touchable. He spent seven seasons with the Tennessee Titans, leading them to to the Super Bowl in 2000. He was shot four timestwice in the body and once in the head. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. I Want to Leave An Inheritance to My Child, But Not Their Spouse. "I can't even wrap my arms around it. 5-6 p.m.: Gilliam sells Kazemi a 9 mm handgun in the parking lot of Dave &Buster's before her shift begins. 12:02 a.m.: Gilliam calls Kazemi and asks if they can get together. 6:24 and 6:25 p.m.: Kazemi places two calls to Gilliam. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. It took McNair two years to ease his way into becoming a starting quarterback in the NFL. More at The Tennessean including: "A Sunday morning autopsy revealed that McNair was shot four times - twice in the head, twice in the chest. Gordon says he is going home and McNair tells him he will be at Blue Moon Lagoon. If it dnt go away im goin to the hospital. The McNairs were selling their 26-room Nashville home in the upscale Green Hills neighborhood valued at $3.2 million at the time of his death. On July 8, Nashville Police Chief Ronal Serpas told reporters, "We do believe, no questions, that she killed Mr. McNair and then killed herself. But he injured his groin during the season opener last season and never regained the form that put him in those Pro Bowls. Mu is handling media inquiries for Thursday night's memorial service in Nashville. Some, like myself, have their career shortened by injuries. 12:06 a.m.: Kazemi and Norfleet text for the final time. Kazemi purchased the gun two days before both were found dead in McNair's Nashville condo, police said. He asks her to step out of the car. "I am still shook up.". Farahani tells her to clock out for the rest of the night. McNair, 36, a quarterback for the Tennessee Titans most of his career, met Kazemi six months ago at a restaurant where she was a waitress and his family often ate. Ozzie Newsome, Ravens executive vice president and general manager, said he immediately thought of McNair's four sons. The Triangle Tribune has been here since 1998 to provide news and commentary for and about the African American community. Ex-Kazemi boyfriend Norfleet, who lived with Kazemi for three years told Keteyian that, as far as he knows, Kazemi has "never" possessed a gun, or had a desire to. He greeted Kazemi, sat down on the couch for a nap, and never woke up. But there existed another side to the former Titans quarterback and 2003 NFL co-MVP, one that was more susceptible to temptation. What a game! 6:26 p.m.: Gilliam and Kazemi call each other at the same time. McNair didn't play a minute for Boro in Carrick's first couple of months in charge, but got a chance after Fry was sent off at Sunderland and has started five out of six games since. He was a player who I admired a great deal," said New England Patriots senior football adviser Floyd Reese, who was GM of the Titans when McNair played for them. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. Kazemi wasnt his only mistress at the time of his death. Kazemi's roommate had decided to move out, leaving her responsible for the entire $1,000 per month rent payment. There were the uncomfortable details that emerged in the days, weeks and months . (AP) Alcorn State University says it will officially retire the No. The 20-year-old shot Steve McNair to death in a condominium he was renting before shooting herself on July 4, 2009. She was 20. Mechelle disputed that they werent invited. Police believed she shot McNair in the temple while he was . 7:21 and 7:26 a.m.: Gilliam texts Kazemi's phone, "wat up.". She would describe this discovery to her friend, EmilyAndrews, during a phone call on July 2. Aaron said McNair's wife, Mechelle, is "very distraught. He played sparingly the first two seasons, and naturally fans wanted to know why. All Rights Reserved. McNair, a three-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. Upon arrival in Tennessee, the Oilers didn't really have a home or fan base, playing in Memphis and at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville while a permanent stadium was built. The world lost a great man today.". "I am deeply saddened to learn of today's tragic news regarding the death of Steve McNair. The Titans gave me their tickets and I let them know that I had them, Mechelle said via a telephone call to WJTV. That's why his former coach, Jeff Fisher, nearly cried Monday when saying McNair, at this time, would ask for forgiveness. The Vicksburg Post reports the ceremony Fisher offered McNair a chance to attend the Titans' minicamp this year to mentor some of the team's young players and to see if maybe he wanted to eventually coach. Time unknown: After she is bonded out, Kazemi catches up with McNair and is seen to be angry and yelling at him. The gun was found underneath her. Time unknown: Steve McNair goes fishing in Hendersonville. All rights reserved. Instead, McNair's death should be a reminder that we need to appreciate every breath we take and everyone we know who shares that air. You change, and you're constantly searching for something," former teammate Eddie George told CNN. There are a bunch of tragic stories of famous players and entertainers. Homicide Suspect/Suicide Victim: Sahel Kazemi. Aaron said Neeley told authorities he went into the condo, saw McNair on the sofa and Kazemi on the floor but walked first into the kitchen before going back into the living room, where he saw the blood. Was Sahel "Jenni" Kazemi Framed for the murder of Steve McNair? Market data provided by Factset. As for his marriage with his wife, Mechelle, with whom he had two children after they wed in 1997? 'Deadly Recall: Air McNair' is an episode that examines the life, slaying, and aftermath of renowned NFL quarterback Stephen McNair, who died at the age of 36 and left behind a shocked family and fanbase. She doesnt hear from him again until the early hours of the morning. He played in a run-first offense that didn't fit his skill set. I didn't want to touch him but I saw blood on my best friend and I was almost panicking myself. Noon: Norfleets friend calls someoneto pick him up from the apartment where he had spent the night. She talks to strangers, at one point helps fixing a woman's hair.