We'll Always Remember...

We'll always remember you Steve. You were a real gamer. You might not have been the best quarterback to ever play the game... But there was never any doubt, that if you were given the chance — You would give everything you had. And I mean, everything. With absolutely no regard for your body, you put it all on the line. Every single play, we knew you'd either come through — Or die trying.

I can honestly say I'll miss it Steve — I'll miss you.

When you came into the league, I was just a little guy... But I was around — I was alert. My early memories of you might be pretty hazy, but they're still there. I saw you play twice on 33rd Street... Man did you have a cannon back then! I saw your last game as a member of the Houston Oilers. It was actually the last game the Houston Oilers ever played... December 22, 1996. You guys beat us 24-21. In fact, the winning play was your 24 yd. scramble on the first drive of the third quarter. I remember the disappointing groan that the crowd let out as you came right through the middle. You made our spirits just as damp as the weather that day. We left the stadium in a bad mood. Not only did we sit through a cold and rainy game only to watch our Ravens lose, but we had been out-gutted by a rookie quarterback! And to think that was only your sixth career start. You still had your whole life in front of you...
One year later, I sat at the very same spot — Seat 3, Row 4, Bleacher Section 18. You were with the Tennessee Oilers then... Remember that? You guys played the Ravens in the final game ever in the history of Memorial Stadium. What a nail-biter that was! We ended up winning that one... Our cornerback, John Williams knocked down your last ditch pass to Frank Wycheck, preserving a 21-19 win. You could at least let us have that one... Right? In the overall scheme of things, it didn't really matter. It made up for the game we had lost to you the previous year — And besides, your 8-8 record looked a hell of a lot better than our measly mark of 6-9-1.

The next year you guys came back, in '98 — It was to play in our new house. But you were still wearing your old uniforms... It was your last year as the Oilers. Even with the old threads though, you guys came back as rejuvenated as ever. It was incredible. Once again, you came up with the game winner... We couldn't believe it! The only touchdown scored all game, came on a broken play — And you were the one who picked up the pieces and ran them down our throats... All 40 yds. worth. You really did give it your all...

In '99, you came back again. But this time, things were different. You were injured... But your newly christened Titans squad was on fire. It was week 13 of the season, and you guys were 9-2. We knew what we were up against, and we didn't let up. As time expired, we had pulled away with a resounding 41-14 win. But you could stand to lose one... You still went on 13-3 and advanced to your first Super Bowl.

A year later however, the tables would turn. We would in fact be the ones who were on fire, and you guys would come away with the consolation win. Did it bother you? No... Not at all. Within the context of the season, you guys were the more polished team. Still riding on the waves of the year before, you won your second straight AFC-Central crown. But despite your spoils, we had the stronger build — We were the ones who were destined for January.

After that season, the fire was gone... In fact, by 2002, we weren't even in the same division anymore — And without playing you twice a year... Where a red-hot rivalry once burned, only ashes remained.

Just when we thought you were done, just when we thought you had ridden off into the sunset — You came storming back just like you always had. In 2006, you became our quarterback. After more than a decade of commanding the enemy, you came here, to show us a little of that old magic. And boy what a ride it was! I even came to see you play — The Browns were in town, and you hurt your hand on the sixth play from scrimmage. That's the last time I saw you on the gridiron in person, but that wasn't important. It was still a memorable year. We had the second best team in the American Football Conference, and we advanced all the way to the divisional round in the playoffs — What a season we had! At 13-3, it's still the Ravens' best record to date. And even though you came back the next year to try and do it again, we really only had that one good season together... But you know what Steve? I'll never forget it.

The very last time I saw you, was at an Orioles game. It was a student night, and my friends had taken me out to the ballpark for my birthday. You threw out the first pitch. Just one day after you announced your retirement, you stood on the mound exactly like it was the pocket. And I can tell you — When that arm came back in a cocked position, thousands of Orioles fans saw the past flash right before their eyes. For one more split second, you were our quarterback — You were our hero.
I'll never forget it Steve — I'll never forget what you gave us.

R.I.P. - Steve McNair (1973-2009)

RIP Steve

While he only played two seasons for our Baltimore Ravens, I consider it an honor to have watched Steve McNair play in a Raven uniform. He'll always be remembered as a Tennessee Titan, as he should be, but he'll also go down as one of the toughest and grittiest players in NFL history.

During his time in Baltimore, it seemed like he was always on the injury report with a strained back, sore shoulder, or bruised ribs, among many more injuries. Regardless of the ailment, he persevered and led the Ravens during the 2006 season when they went 13-3 and won the AFC North. At the end of his career, it appeared his injuries finally caught up with him as the perennial hall of famer was forced to call it quits after 13 seasons.

However, his past statistics and achievements take a backseat to today's news that McNair, 36, was tragically shot and killed in Nashville. It is unclear exactly what happened but when it comes down to it, a young man and woman lost their life due to an act of gun violence.

On my way home today, I heard a piece of the Sporting News radio show during which they were discussing the link between professional athletes and violence. As of now, it does not appear that Steve McNair put himself in any danger. However, professional athletes, especially NFL players, seem to find themselves in the middle of dangerous situations. Sean Taylor, Darrent Williams, and Steve McNair are just a few of the athletes who have recently been killed or involved with gun violence. Their deaths give creedence to the notion that high-profile athletes are targeted more often than average joes. I've got to believe that professional athletes are going to feel more inclined to protect themselves.

Would you feel comfortable with more athletes wielding firearms for protection? Occasionally, professional athletes are the danger as seen through Tank Johnson's and Plaxico Burress' off the field gun-related problems. It is a very complicated issue that may never be fully resolved. As for now, our prayers go out to the McNair family as they mourn the loss of a true competitor.

RIP Steve