RIP Steve McNair

Even though I live just outside of Nashville, I've never really considered myself a Tennessee Titans fan.

I guess it's because my wife has always loved the Indianapolis Colts, especially Peyton Manning. Now, I'm not near as into football as she is, but I do enjoy watching a good game.

I remember the year the Titans went to the Super Bowl. I think the entire state of Tennessee was on fire that day. I was in college, and worked part time at a local convenience store. The man who owned the store had tickets to the game and was taking his son.

Even though they lost, the game was awesome. Just one yard short of winning the Super Bowl, and that was their first year in Tennessee.

Steve McNair was a huge part of that.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing and seeing yesterday afternoon when I turned on the local news. McNair was dead.

They didn't give many details, except that it was a shooting. He retired from football last year and had just opened up a restaurant in Nashville, planning to settle down here. He was 36 years old.

I must admit, I didn't really know what an awesome player he was. Former teammates and even opponents described him as a super-intense, but cool headed quarterback who was not afraid to run the ball.

Nashville is numb today. Steve will be missed.