Tag: Steve McNair

Ravens vs. Titans: 7 fun facts about this Week 11 matchup

There are a lot of similarities between the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans heading into their Week 11 tilt.

The Baltimore Ravens take on the Tennessee Titans in a battle of ailing teams sitting at 6-3. Both teams lost last week and are looking to not only get back to their winning ways but pick up a critical win that will propel them in the AFC playoff picture.

It’s an old-school rivalry that harkens back to the early days of both the Ravens and Titans franchises coming into the league. With revenge on Baltimore’s mind after getting booted from the playoffs by Tennessee last year, there’s a little something extra this week.

Before the teams kick off this weekend, here are seven interesting little facts about this rivalry that you can entertain your friends and family with.

5 former Titans among modern-era nominees for Pro Football Hall of Fame

A total of seven players from the Titans/Oilers franchise are among the nominees.

Five former Tennessee Titans players are among the 130 modern-era nominees who will have a shot at induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.

Quarterback Steve McNair, running back Eddie George, wide receiver Derrick Mason, fullback Lorenzo Neal and kicker Gary Anderson are all part of the aforementioned group.

The biggest names that will jump out at Titans fans are McNair and George. Both players posted impressive individual careers and are arguably the two greatest players in franchise history.

On top of that, they played an integral role in bringing Tennessee to its first and only Super Bowl appearance. In 2019, McNair and George had their numbers retired and are in the franchise’s Ring of Honor.

Two former Tennessee Oilers are also included in the list of nominees: punter Reggie Roby and returner/wide receiver Mel Gray, who also played for the Oilers when they were in Houston.

All seven of the aforementioned players from the franchise have been nominated before.

The selection process will see the 130 modern-era nominees whittled down to 25 in November, and then 15 in January before the Selection Committee makes its ultimate decision in February.

There are currently four players in the Hall of Fame who have donned a Titans jersey during their career: wide receiver Randy Moss, and offensive linemen Kevin Mawae, Steven Hutchinson and Bruce Matthews.

[lawrence-related id=45183,45158,45128]

[vertical-gallery id=45036]

Watch: Tennessee Titans pay tribute to Steve McNair

The Titans paid tribute to Steve McNair with a video on social media.

As the country celebrates the Fourth of July on Saturday, Tennessee Titans fans and the football world remember this day as the anniversary of something else: the tragic death of the great Steve McNair.

McNair was fatally shot on July 4, 2009, in a moment that shook the sports world to its core and left his fans in shock and sadness.

While it’s important to mourn the loss of McNair, it’s even more important to celebrate what he meant to all of our lives through his play on the football field.

And the Titans did just that by posting a fantastic tribute video for Air McNair on social media. Check it out.

[lawrence-related id=30631]

McNair was drafted by the then-Houston Oilers with the No. 3 overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft and went on to play with the franchise for 11 years, where he became one of the greatest players in Titans history.

Perhaps his greatest accomplishment was taking the Titans to Super Bowl XXXIV, the franchise’s only appearance in the big game. McNair was also named Co-MVP in 2003 and was a three-time Pro Bowler.

As more and more time passes between McNair’s death and present day, his legacy only grows stronger in the hearts and minds of Titans fans.

Rest in peace, Air McNair.

[lawrence-related id=39356,39348,39311]

7 things to know about new Jets QB Joe Flacco

Here are seven things to know about new Jets QB Joe Flacco, who signed to be the team’s backup on Friday.

The Jets needed to find an experienced backup quarterback this offseason. Enter Joe Flacco.

Flacco committed to a one-year deal worth up to $4.5 million on Friday. He brings a winning pedigree and a resume filled to the brim with starting experience. He won’t push Sam Darnold for the starting job, but will be a more than capable backup should Darnold get hurt. Darnold has already missed six games in just two seasons.

With that said, let’s get to know the Jets’ latest addition to the quarterback room. Here are seven things to know about Flacco.

Historic Postseason Run

(Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports)

On his way to leading the Ravens to a Super Bowl victory over the San Franciso 49ers and earning Super Bowl MVP honors in the process, Joe Flacco had one of the more memorable performances by a quarterback in postseason history.

Flacco completed 73 of 126 passes for 1,140 yards, 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions in four games during the 2012 playoffs. Flacco capped the run by completing 22 of 33 passes for 287 yards and three first-half touchdowns in Baltimore’s second Super Bowl victory in franchise history.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7

Jalen Hurts idolizes Tennessee Titans great Steve McNair

Steve McNair was an idol to a lot of young football fans during his playing days.

Former Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair’s toughness and overall talent was an inspiration to a lot of younger people who grew watching him during his playing days in the NFL.

And one of those people is Oklahoma product and 2020 NFL Draft prospect, Jalen Hurts.

In an Instagram Live interview with ESPN’s Maria Taylor (via 247Sports), Hurts explained what it was about McNair that he looked up to.

“I’ve always had a thing with Steve McNair,” Hurts said. “Alcorn State, played with the Titans. The type of player he was, he was a dog. He could run, make all the plays, improvise plays, make something out of nothing. I like the way he plays and I like Russell Wilson. He was overlooked. He’s a baller, won a super bowl. Deshaun Watson, played against him. But he’s a special guy and special player.”

McNair was the No. 3 overall pick of the Houston Oilers back in 1995. He spent 11 seasons with the Oilers/Titans, leading the franchise to two AFC Championship appearances and one Super Bowl berth. He was also named co-MVP with Peyton Manning in 2003.

McNair was tragically shot and killed by Sahel Kazemi on July 4th, 2009, in what was an apparent murder-suicide, according to officials. Investigation Discovery is going to revisit the shooting in an episode of the show “Deadly Recall” on April 15th.

[lawrence-related id=30930,30911,30878]

ID channel to revisit murder of former Titans QB Steve McNair

Questions still linger about McNair’s death.

The death of iconic Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair shook the sports world to its core back in 2009.

Now, Investigation Discovery is revisiting McNair’s murder, ruled a murder-suicide, in the premiere of the second season of “Deadly Recall”.

The show is hosted by Detective Pat Postiglione, who worked on the case. Postiglione retired from the Metro Nashville Police Department in 2013 after a career of 25 years as a homicide detective.

Obviously, McNair’s death occurred over decade ago, so it’s pretty far back in the history books. Postiglione says he believes the audience will walk away from the show with a good feel for the depth of the investigation.

“You know, you’re dealing with the murder of Steve McNair, a celebrity,” he told me this week. “There was a very in-depth investigation, and all the guys involved on my team were highly experienced and highly trained detectives. I think the main thing we want to put out there is that it was thoroughly investigated.”

And there’s a reason for that. Several have questioned the merit of the case being ruled a murder-suicide, given the amount of circumstantial evidence that has emerged to the point that many believe the case should be re-opened.

Postiglione didn’t seem to find any of that surprising though, given the nature of the case.

“In my experience, any time you have a high-profile case, that happens,” he said. “But the detectives, they’re bound by the evidence. They follow the evidence.”

One of the most prominent claims among those who believe Sahel “Jenni” Kazemi did not kill McNair and then took her life is that Adrian Gilliam Jr. — whose alibi has been “contradicted” — was to blame.

“Some of the things that are said, and some of the things that are implied are so outrageous that there’s absolutely no merit to it,” Postiglione said. “And even though you’re able to substantiate it with proof, the rumors continue. So yeah, it does get a little frustrating, but at the same time, we understand what our job is.”

Postiglione says that verifying Gilliam’s alibi was “no different than any other,” though questions still remain considering that no video surveillance has ever been produced of the gun sale said to have occurred between Gilliam and Kazemi.

“You interview a person of interest, possible suspect, and then you break it down,” he said. “You do cell phone research. You confirm that he was with his cell phone during the times in question, you do cell tower pinging and determine if his cell phone was pinging anywhere near where the crime scene was. You conduct in-depth interviews as well. You interview people well-connected to him and know him. You corroborate what he tells you by going to the people he gives you, and then you’re able to corroborate it through cell phone technology and that kind of thing. That’s precisely what we did with Adrian Gilliam.”

Rumors of McNair’s potential involvement in drugs as a part of his double life have made their rounds, and police did look into this angle. But Postiglione insists there is no merit to it, despite the rap sheets of some of the shady people McNair brushed shoulders with.

“In this case, we had heard some of those rumors,” he said. “But there’s absolutely nothing to substantiate any drug connection or anything involving Steve and drugs or anything along those lines.”

People like Postiglione will forever remember McNair as a beloved and admired figure in the community.

“I would say Steve was the most high-profile case that I’ve been on, mainly because of his celebrity status,” he said. “He was well-known, he was well-loved in the city of Nashville. He would hold training camps every year for kids in the Nashville area. He was well-liked, well-respected, so I would say, along those lines, it’s way up there at the top. We’ve had other high-profile cases, but I don’t think any as high in terms of Steve’s notoriety.”

[wpvideo tAaGt2Pz]

This “Air McNair” episode will air on Wednesday, April 15, at 9 p.m. CT.

[lawrence-related id=30554,30516,30439]

[vertical-gallery id=30574]

4 Tennessee Titans named to The Athletic’s Nashville Sports Hall of Fame

Four former Titans made the cut for The Athletic’s Nashville Sports Hall of Fame.

The staff over at The Athletic compiled a list of 25 Nashville athletes for its Nashville Sports Hall of Fame, and four former Tennessee Titans made the list.

In descending order, here’s where the Titans who made the cut were ranked:

22. Bud Adams

Adams brought the NFL to the city, and while it took a lot of work from folks here to make this an attractive landing spot, it was Adams’ decision to move the Houston Oilers and take Nashville to a different level as a sports city. Before that, he was a football trailblazer. He started the American Football League with Lamar Hunt in 1959. Competing with the NFL seemed an unwise strategy at the time, but the leagues merged in 1966.

Titans fans love their football team in Nashville and have Adams to thank for making it happen. His daughter, Amy Adams Strunk, is the current controlling owner of the team and has done a sensational job.

13. Bruce Matthews

Matthews was an integral part of the rock-solid offensive line that characterized the Houston Oilers when they moved to Tennessee in 1997. Primarily used at guard, Matthews played 19 seasons in the NFL, starting 293 of the 296 games he played in. He made 14 straight Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro nine times. Matthews played so long in the NFL that his former college teammate at USC — Jeff Fisher — eventually became his head coach. The North Carolina native was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.

Matthews stands among some of the great offensive lineman to ever play the game. He spent his entire 19-year career with the organization and was a 14-time Pro Bowler and a seven-time First-Team All-Pro. Matthews was rightfully elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.

5. Eddie George

George won the Heisman Trophy in 1995 — his senior season at Ohio State — and became the first-round pick (No. 14 overall) of the Houston Oilers in the ensuing spring. When the Oilers moved to Tennessee a year later, George and quarterback Steve McNair emerged as the faces of the franchise. George topped 1,000 yards in seven of eight seasons with the Oilers/Titans, making four Pro Bowls and twice earning All-Pro status. George was a workhorse in the Super Bowl run of 1999, rushing 108 times for 449 yards and three touchdowns in four postseason games. He started 128 straight regular-season games with the franchise, finishing with 10,009 yards and 64 touchdowns.

To this day, George remains a leader for the Titans organization. His voice is still well-respected among the team’s current players and the mark he left on the franchise will never fade. The four-time Pro Bowler and one-time First-Team All-Pro had his number retired in 2019 and is the greatest running back of the Titans era.

1. Steve McNair

The NFL’s arrival in Nashville coincided with the ascension of McNair, who led the newly christened Tennessee Titans to Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000. McNair and Eddie George embodied the Titans’ hard-nosed brand of football, and McNair shared the MVP award with Peyton Manning in 2003, throwing 24 touchdowns and rushing for four. McNair, who died in 2009, had his No. 9 retired by the Titans last season.

What can you say about the greatest quarterback in Titans history?

Since his departure in 2006, Tennessee has never found another quarterback who made the kind of impact McNair did during his time with the team.

The former No. 3 overall pick of the Titans took them to their only Super Bowl appearance, and a pair of AFC Championship Games. The former co-MVP and three-time Pro Bowler had his number retired in 2019.

Former Titans QB Steve McNair named to 2020 College Football HOF class

Steve McNair will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

One of the greatest players in Tennessee Titans history will now be enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame.

According to the National Football Foundation, Steve McNair is one of 17 players who will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in December.

The full class of inductees is as follows:

  • Lomas Brown – OT, Florida (1981-84)
  • Keith Byars – RB, Ohio State (1982-85)
  • Eric Crouch – QB, Nebraska (1998-2001)
  • Eric Dickerson – RB, Southern Methodist (1979-82)
  • Glenn Dorsey – DT, LSU (2004-07)
  • Jumbo Elliott – OT, Michigan (1984-87)
  • Jason Hanson – PK, Washington State (1988-91)
  • E.J. Henderson – LB, Maryland (1999-2002)
  • E.J. Junior – DE, Alabama (1977-80)
  • Steve McNair – QB, Alcorn State (1991-94)
  • Cade McNown – QB, UCLA (1995-98)
  • Leslie O’Neal – DT, Oklahoma State (1982-85)
  • Anthony Poindexter – DB, Virginia (1995-98)
  • David Pollack – DE, Georgia (2001-04)
  • Bob Stein – DE, Minnesota (1966-68)
  • Michael Westbrook – WR, Colorado (1991-94)
  • Elmo Wright – WR, Houston (1968-70)

McNair spent four years at Alcorn State, where he eventually won the Walter Payton Award in his senior season for being the top Division I-AA player after totaling 5,377 yards and 47 touchdowns. He would go on to finish third in the Heisman Trophy voting that year.

McNair was taken as the No. 3 overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft by the then-Houston Oilers and remained the centerpiece of the franchise after the team’s move to Tennessee.

Not only did McNair go to three Pro Bowls during his career, but he also won co-MVP honors along with Peyton Manning in 2003.

McNair would go on to take the Titans to two AFC Championship Games, winning one. He and Tennessee narrowly lost in Super Bowl XXXIV to the then-St. Louis Rams.

After finishing out his career with the Baltimore Ravens, McNair tragically lost his life when he was shot and killed by his girlfriend in 2009.

2020 College Football Hall of Fame Class Announced

The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame announced today the 2020 College Football Hall of Fame Class.

[jwplayer MutHwiMz]

The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame announced today the 2020 College Football Hall of Fame Class, which includes the names of 16 players and two coaches.

A few wrongs were made right.

FINALLY, Eric Dickerson got the call to be in the Hall.

In the theory of, “if you won a Heisman, you should automatically get in,” Eric Crouch made it, along with headliners former Ohio State RB Keith Byars, Michigan OT Jumbo Elliott, Alcorn State QB Steve McNair, and Georgia DE David Pollock.

Two coaches – Dick Sheridan and Andy Talley – were elected, too.

Write-ups from the National Football Foundation.

2020 College Football Hall of Fame Players

Lomas Brown, Florida, Offensive Tackle (1981-1984)

– 1984 consensus First Team All-American and two-time All-SEC performer
– Led Gators to three consecutive bowl berths and top 10 national final rankings in 1983 and 1984
– Recipient of Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the SEC’s top blocker in 1984.

Keith Byars, Ohio State, Running Back (1982-1985)

– Unanimous First Team All-American and Heisman Trophy runner-up who led nation in rushing (1,764), all-purpose yards (2,441) and scoring (144) in 1984
– 1984 Big Ten MVP and two-time All-Big Ten selection
– Ranks fifth all-time at OSU with 4,369 career all-purpose yards and 3,200 career rushing yards.

Eric Crouch, Nebraska, Quarterback (1998-2001)

– 2001 Heisman, Walter Camp and Davey O’Brien Award winner who led Huskers to 2001 national title game at the Rose Bowl
– Finished career as NCAA record holder for career rushing TDs by a quarterback (59)
– Led team to 42-9 record and four bowl berths.

Eric Dickerson, SMU, Running Back (1979-1982)

– Named unanimous First Team All-American and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1982
– Twice named SWC Player of the Year, he holds 14 SMU records including career rushing yards (4,450).

Glenn Dorsey, LSU, Defensive Tackle (2004-2007)

– Two-time First Team All-American, earning unanimous honors in 2007
– Led the Tigers to a national title at the 2008 Sugar Bowl after taking home the Lombardi, Nagurski and Outland trophies
– 2007 SEC Defensive Player of the Year who helped LSU finish no lower than No. 5 nationally his last three seasons.

Jumbo Elliott, Michigan, Offensive Tackle (1984-1987)

– Two-time First Team All-American (consensus, ’87)
– Two-time All-Big Ten First Team selection and member of 1986 Big Ten Co-Champions
– Paved the way for Jamie Morris, who had three-straight 1,000-yard seasons.

Jason Hanson, Washington State, Placekicker (1988-1991)

– Two-time First Team All-American, earning unanimous honors in 1989
– Holds numerous NCAA, conference and school records, including longest field goal without a tee (62 yards) and career field goals of 40 yards or more (39)
– Four-time All-Pac-10 selection and 1991 NFF National Scholar-Athlete.

E.J. Henderson, Maryland, Linebacker (1999-2002)

– Only two-time consensus First Team All-American in Terps history
– 2002 Bednarik and Butkus award winner who helped Maryland to an Orange Bowl berth and No. 11 final ranking
– 2001 ACC Player of the Year and two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year, leading Terps to the 2001 ACC title.

E.J. Junior, Alabama, Defensive End (1977-1980)

-1980 unanimous First Team All-American and member of two national championship teams (1978, 1979)
– Three-time First Team All-SEC selection and 1980 SEC Lineman of the Year, who led Tide to two conference titles
– Member of fabled goal-line stand defense vs. Penn State in 1979 Sugar Bowl.

Steve McNair, Alcorn State, Quarterback (1991-1994)

– 1994 Walter Payton Award winner as the top player in the FCS.
– Third in Heisman voting in 1994.
– All-time FCS passing leader with 14,496 yards and total yards with 16,823
– Four-time SWAC Offensive Player of the Year

[lawrence-related id=485314]

Cade McNown, UCLA, Quarterback (1995-1998)

-1998 Consensus First Team All-American and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award recipient
-1998 Pac-10 Co-Offensive Player of the Year who led UCLA to consecutive Pac-10 titles in 1997 (shared) and 1998-Holds numerous school records.

Leslie O’Neal, Oklahoma State, Defensive Tackle (1982-1985)

– Two-time First Team All-American, earning unanimous honors in 1985
– Three-time All-Big Eight selection and 1984 Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year, who led Pokes to three, straight bowl berths
– Left OSU as school leader in career sacks (34), career TFL (47) and single, season sacks (16).

Anthony Poindexter, Virginia, Defensive Back (1995-1998)

– Two-time First Team All-American, earning consensus honors in 1998
– Three-time All-ACC pick and 1998 ACC Defensive Player of the Year
– Holds five school records and finished career with 342 tackles and 12 interceptions.

David Pollack, Georgia, Defensive Lineman (2001-2004)

– Three-time First Team All-American (consensus in 2002, 2004) and recipient of the 2004 Lombardi and Bednarik awards
– Two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year who led Bulldogs to consecutive SEC title games
– UGA’s all-time leader in sacks (36) and tackles for loss (58.5).

Michael Westbrook, Colorado, Wide Receiver

– 1994 consensus First Team All-American who led Buffs to four bowl berths and four top 20 finishes
– Two-time All-Big Eight performer, leading CU to a share of the 1991 league title
– Still holds eight school records and caught a 64-yard game-winning pass in the 1994 “Miracle at Michigan.

Elmo Wright, Houston, Wide Receiver

-1970 consensus First Team All-American who earned Second Team honors in 1969 and Honorable Mention honors in 1968
– Set an NCAA single-season record of eight TD receptions of 50 yards or more (1968)
– Still holds Houston career records for all-purpose yards per play (21.0 avg.) and yards per reception (21.9 avg.).

Pete Fiutak Top Ten Ballot
1. QB Carson Palmer, USC (not elected)
2. S Roy Williams, Oklahoma (not elected)
3. RB Eric Dickerson, SMU (elected)
4. QB Eric Crouch, Nebraska (elected)
5. RB Rashaan Salaam, Colorado (not elected)
6. LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State (not elected)
7. DE Andre Tippett, Iowa (not elected)
8. DE Julius Peppers, North Carolina (not elected)
9. DE David Pollack, Georgia (not elected)
10. DT Kenneth Sims, Texas (not elected)

[protected-iframe id=”2823778ff32006e9a7693e621fbdfdfd-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]