Despite the lower level of competition played there, the Houston Oilers thought enough about McNairs strong arm and athleticism to make him the third overall pick in the 1995 NFL draft. 6:02 p.m.: Kazemi receives a call from Gilliam. You were just in disbelief.. McNair was with her but not charged. Associated Press. His girlfriend of eight months, 20-year-old waitress Sahel Kazemi, known as "Jenni," was found lying facedown near his feet with a single bullet wound to her right temple. Kazemi had just split with her boyfriend and gave McNair, a regular diner, her phone number. Former Titans quarterback McNair shot to death, UFC 285 live results and analysis: Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane, Morant to miss two games after video with gun, Las Vegas prepared to give A's 'better opportunity', Richardson sets QB mark for vertical, broad jump, Curry, Iguodala probable to return vs. Lakers, Sources: Suns hiring Pistons' Bartelstein as CEO, Mbappe breaks PSG's all-time scoring record, Bruins stroll past Kane, Rangers, win 10th in row, Horns' Robinson: Versatility worthy of early pick. It looked like he was gone and I didnt want to believe it., According to USA Today, police have said Kazemi wasnt McNairs only mistress. A community-oriented and generous leader of a man. He played in a run-first offense that didn't fit his skill set. 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. A lot of the guests liked being around her, and she liked being around the guests.". 8 p.m.: Gordon closes the restaurant and hears from McNair a bit later claiming the alarm went off at the restaurant. Ten years later, those close . 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. 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 . ", A note attached to a small blue teddy bear read, "We will never forget you, Steve. Carson Wentz is determined to continue his playing career and the quarterback is open to various roles that could help a team, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Saturday. 5-6 p.m.: Gilliam sells Kazemi a 9 mm handgun in the parking lot of Dave &Buster's before her shift begins. McNairs college career was fascinating because he was so talented, so extraordinary and yet couldnt gain the respect he deserved from mainstream media. The world lost a great man today.". I didn't want to touch him but I saw blood on my best friend and I was almost panicking myself. Williams, who helped run McNair's camps,saw how involved and engaged he was when working with young players. Mechelle McNair, who has not spoken publicly since the shooting, has been described by people close to her as being very upset and distraught. Co-worker Shantez Jobe, 33, said she was friends with Kazemi. Gaddy later said what he saw would haunt him every day for the rest of his life. It has to be consistent and accurate leading up to the shooting, or you may not have a murder-suicide. Family of Steve McNair dividing up estate despite lack of signed will. Steve Helber/AP. The Titans gave me their tickets and I let them know that I had them, Mechelle said via a telephone call to WJTV. Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron . 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. Kevin Dyson caught his 9-yard pass, but was tackled at the 1-yard line by the Rams' Mike Jones. Polite spoke to Kazemi just hours before her death and says, "She sounded like normal, happy, bubbly Jenni. Gaddy, who did not immediately return a text message to his cell phone from The Associated Press on Wednesday, said the McNairs' Nashville home was on the market because they were looking for a new house. Reports have shown that McNairs cellphone records had text messages from numerous women. McNair was with her at the time, in a Cadillac . McNair's dalliance with a woman 16 years younger than him, while he was married, has sullied his saintly image. It's hard to look back on McNair's life as a football player when all this is staring you in the face. . Obituary. Fisher didn't mention McNair tutoring quarterback Vince Young, who lost his starting job last season, but Young and McNair had a strong bond that might have helped the young pro fight through his struggles and possibly turn the corner, as McNair once did. In the days leading up to Steve McNair's death, he spent time at Nashville bars, went fishing and helped put his . Steve McNair would have turned 50 on Valentines Day. The gun was found underneath her. Then again, it feels even weirder that McNair's story already has an ending. Time unknown: After she is bonded out, Kazemi catches up with McNair and is seen to be angry and yelling at him. April 11, 2020 8:28 am ET. All rights reserved. McNair spent the next eight years as the Titans full-time starter. Noon: Norfleets friend calls someoneto pick him up from the apartment where he had spent the night. It was how McNair handled the adversity that he didn't generate but often faced. (Howards story is for another day.). Steve McNair's death still hurts 14 years later. Sahel Kazemi, 20, was laid to rest in a modest brown casket after a 30-minute ceremony at Jacksonville Memory Gardens, Jacksonville, Florida. 8:38 p.m.: Kazemi clocks out for her lunch break. Not to mention McNair was a big family man. Also, read one of our previous Blogs here: Click hereto check out our On Demand Video about Estate Planning. Keith Norfleet, Kazemi's ex-boyfriend, told The Tennessean that McNair and Kazemi met at the restaurant. Mu is handling media inquiries for Thursday night's memorial service in Nashville. More at The Tennessean including: "A Sunday morning autopsy revealed that McNair was shot four times - twice in the head, twice in the chest. Advertisement. The McNair Family appreciates and continues to request your prayers at this time.". I didnt have to touch him and I called 911 and told them they needed to get there and I was holding my breath and hoping it wasnt true. McNair had two children Steven L. McNair Jr. and Steven OBrian Koran McNair before marrying Mechelle McNair. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. It was nearly 11 years ago when former Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair was found dead next to a young woman in a downtown Nashville condo. The officer responds, "He's not happy." Players, coaches, etc. That time in December 2002 when he scrambled for a tying two-point conversion in an overtime win against the Giants, despite not practicing all week because of a rib injury. "He put this organization on the map here in Tennessee," Fisher said of McNair. 12:02 a.m.: Gilliam calls Kazemi and asks if they can get together. "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. She seemed happy and eager to build a life with him, but something went wrong. 4 a.m.: McNair arrives atIgnagnis apartment and tells her a close friend named Jenni was arrested and that he has to help her. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. He felt like it was his responsibility to lead by working hard every day, no matter what.". Instead, they would demand to be traded or gripe to the media or simply opt not to earn their potential reward. 3 p.m.Kazemi: baby I wanna pay some of my bills b4 I go to wrk. So everybodys going to be fine, everythings going to be good, and theres no disagreements between anybody.. When I walked in I knew it immediately (something was wrong), Gaddy said at the time. The investigative summary produced by investigators noted that McNair's cellphone records contained text message correspondence with numerous women. 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. Since his death friends have intimated that he found it hard to cope with life after fame. Steve McNair has been legally responsible for the children since he left college at. Legal Statement. McNair was shot and killed by his 20-year-old girlfriend, Sahel Kazemi, in a murder-suicide on July 4, 2009. 9:16 p.m.: Kazemi receives a call from Gilliam. "None of it sounded like Steve," George said. One year after former Tennessee Titans star Steve McNair was shot and killed, details emerge about the life of Sahel Kazemi, the woman who police say pulled the trigger then turned the gun on herself. 2023 www.tennessean.com. "This guy would give you the shirt off his back, so who would want to murder him the way they did? Young, like so many others, is devastated by McNair's death, according to his agent, Major Adams. McNair, 36, was among the best football quarterbacks of his era, an African-American excelling in a position typically dominated by whites. Gordon says he is going home and McNair tells him he will be at Blue Moon Lagoon. 12:51 p.m.: Neeley contacts Robert Gaddy to inform him hes found someone shot inside the condo and didnt recognize who it was. They scored an 86-53 win over Monroe Friday to advance to Saturday's WIAA Division 2 regional championship against Monona Grove. Every player every person I know would do well to provide for their family like he has. Officials believe that McNair's mistress, Kazemi, lured McNair to a meeting and carried out a plan to kill him by shooting the former NFL star four times with . It caught so much media attention that the Braves next home game was televised on ESPN. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Jul 06, 2009 at 12:08 pm. will be showcased in each installment. During a five-game stretch at the end of the 2002 season, McNair was so bruised he couldn't practice. Much is given, much is required that's kind of the motto that they live by.". Investigators may never know why Kazemi shot McNair four times as he dozed on a sofa early Saturday before turning the gun on herself, Police Chief Ronal Serpas said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. About 20 minutes later, she texts McNair. The future of the NFL combine: Is there really a chance it could end forever? 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. 10 p.m.: Kazemi and friend Courtney Carter speak on the phone and Kazemi asks for friend Lakresia Polites number. Friends of Steve McNairsayeverything seemed normal. McNair had been wincing in pain from the outset. 1:51 p.m.: Neeley calls Moreland again. 6 p.m.: Norfleet starts his shift at White Castle. Infidelity? McNair's tragic death in 2009. Moreland tells him for the second time to return to the scene and tell officers everything. JACKSON, Miss. The original gave Steve McNair's age as 30. (Allen Kee via AP) 18 / 69. There have been some great athletes to come out of HBCUs, but McNair and Howard University were my coming-of-age moments in HBCU sports. The death of former NFL quarterback Steve McNair shocked people in Nashville and around the country. Cook said reporters looking at Mechelle McNairs emergency petition may have been confused by the routine filing, but that she followed a judges direction and Tennessee law when filling out the paperwork. "I am deeply saddened to learn of today's tragic news regarding the death of Steve McNair. He was hurting, but he was in that huddle. 3 overall draft pick by the Houston Oilers in 1995, expectations were high, but McNair rarely played early in his NFL career. Mason remembers the shock he felt in 2007 when McNair told him in the Ravens locker room that he was going to retire. Steve McNair Death Probe Questioned Exclusive Pictures: McNair's Lover Sahel Kazemi. After a few expletives, he replied in disgust, Thats their racist way of saying Houston needs to dummy down the playbook so he can learn it.. McNair left a large estate behind thats in probate in both Tennessee and Mississippi. Steve McNair Net Worth: Steve McNair was an American football player who had a net worth of $26 Million. Appreciate what you have every year. "It was like something you might imagine seeing on TV or in the movies, but never imagine you would see it first-hand, to have that happen to someone you love," Gaddy said, according to The Tennessean of Nashville. They enter the condo together. Friday night, Kazemi left the restaurant early, about 10pm, and she drove to McNair's condominium to await his return. Aaron said the gun was not "readily apparent" when police first arrived. But Fisher stuck with him, and McNair eventually prospered. On July 4, 2009, at 1:35 p.m., a 911 call was placed to the Emergency Communications . Time unknown: Andrew Gilliam Jr. goes to Kazemi'sapartment, and she asks him about a gun. NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair's shooting death was a homicide, police said Sunday, but authorities stopped short of saying it was a murder-suicide committed by the 20 . Police said the 36-year-old McNair was found on the sofa in the living room, and Kazemi was very close to him on the floor. There were the uncomfortable details that emerged in the days, weeks and months . "She was reliable 90 percent of the time," manager Chris Truelove said of Kazemi. Fans wanted him benched. Corrupt Crimes Death of a Football Legend Pro-football legend Steve McNair's secret affair ends in a murder/suicide; Chicago cop Jon Burge provides extremely cruel and unusual punishment. "It was like, he has no enemies. NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE out-of-market preseason games, LIVE local and primetime regular season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, the best NFL programming on-demand, and MORE! McNair is already at the pub with Kazemi. In 1999, when the team was renamed the Titans and moved into its permanent home, McNair engineered a Super Bowl run. "He was one of the nice guys who would talk to you, not like the other athletes," Brandon Millichamp, Kazemi's coworker, told the Tennessean newspaper. 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. McNair started all 16 games in 1997, guiding the team to an 8-8 record. 1:14 a.m.: Kazemi places a call to McNair. It looked like he was gone and I didn't want to believe it.''. It happens, former Titans wide receiver Derrick Mason said. Titans coach Jeff Fisher was out of the country, taking part in the first NFL-USO coaches tour to Iraq. I was working at a television station in Baltimore, Maryland, at the time and freelancing as an ACC sportswriter on the side. The two had been linked romantically despite the fact McNair was married. 7:21 and 7:26 a.m.: Gilliam texts Kazemi's phone, "wat up.". ", First published on October 19, 2009 / 8:13 AM. 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. Nothing seemed amiss. 1:39 p.m.: The first officer arrives at the scene. According to The Tennessean, McNairs friend Wayne Neely, who rented the condo with him, found McNair and then called his friend Robert Gaddy, who called the police. He was also president of McNair Farms Inc., in Mississippi, described as a ranching and farming business. 8:14 a.m.: McNair texts Kazemi, who responds later. At the time of the shooting, McNair was thought to be sleeping on the sofa. The two were found dead by McNair's friends, Wayne Neeley and Robert Gaddy. Investigators said Kazemi had also seen another woman leave McNair's home. Unfortunately, the SI cover jinxed him, and McNair had one of his worst games, but I had caught HBCU sports fever! It took McNair two years to ease his way into becoming a starting quarterback in the NFL. property damages, personal injury and/or death, arising out of or in any way connected to the Program and/or . McNair guided the Titans to a Super Bowl berth during the 1999 season. She doesnt hear from him again until the early hours of the morning. Azadeh Kazemi, Jenny's sister, told us, "She wasn't angry enough to do something like that. Police said a witness saw McNair arrive at the condo in the upscale Rutledge Hill neighborhood between 1:30 and 2 a.m. Saturday and that Kazemi's vehicle was already there. Now, Investigation Discovery is revisiting McNair's murder, ruled a murder-suicide, in the premiere of the second season of "Deadly Recall". As for her money problems -- Kazemi's bank statement, seen on "The Early Show" for the first time, shows she had more than $2,500 dollars the day she died, enough to cover her bills. His body was found, along with that of his alleged girlfriend . That's why his former coach, Jeff Fisher, nearly cried Monday when saying McNair, at this time, would ask for forgiveness. Contributed, Jeff Meinholdt. By the time McNair was ready, the team was set to move from Houston to Tennessee. His violent death -- and hers -- is something hard for many to stomach. He also says that his cooks car was stolen. Fans bailed. ", The McNair family released this statement through McNair's agent Bus Cook: "The families of Steve McNair in Mississippi and Tennessee appreciate the concern, thoughts and prayers during this difficult time of our loss of a husband, father and son. "Nothing has been ruled out, but as far as actively looking for a suspect tonight, the answer would be no.". Aaron said McNair's wife, Mechelle, is "very distraught. There was Leah Ignagni, a 25-year-old withwhom McNair hada relationship with while being involved with Kazemi. Before that, he brought the Titans back from a 16-0 deficit to tie the game. She then killed herself. Tennessee Titans. She was 20. The 20-year-old shot Steve McNair to death in a condominium he was renting before shooting herself on July 4, 2009. Market data provided by Factset. He completed all three of his passes for 55 yards, including the winning touchdown. A police investigation and later tests proved that Kazemi killed McNair, who was 36, before committing suicide. NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair, who led the famous Tennessee Titans' drive that came a yard short of forcing overtime in the 2000 Super Bowl, was found dead Saturday with multiple gunshot wounds, including one to the head. 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. 11:06 AM. She uses his computer to post her furniture for sale on Craigslist. This article was amended on 10 July 2009. Time unknown:Kazemi and friend Emily Andrews speak on the phone about Kazemi'sDUI arrest. McNair was by her side in the Cadillac and was not charged. Steve McNair, in full Steve LaTreal McNair, byname Air McNair, (born February 14, 1973, Mount Olive, Mississippi, U.S.died July 4, 2009, Nashville, Tennessee), American gridiron football player who threw 174 touchdown passes during his 13 National Football League (NFL) seasons (1995-2008), primarily while playing for the Tennessee Titans. I was holding my breath and hoping it wasn't true. All indications are that it was a murder-suicide, but police are investigating all angles. But associate Mike Mu, who has worked with McNair's charitable association for years, said McNair's wife, Mechelle McNair, "didn't know who this girl is." McNair's murder has ripped through two families, his and that of Sahel Kazemi, his 20-year-old girlfriend whose body was found near his, lying on top of what police believe was the semiautomatic handgun used in both of their deaths. C.J. But we need your help to continue that critical work. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. UPDATED 4:54 p.m. Nashville police have now confirmed Steve McNair's death was indeed a murder. Even though he left no will, Steve McNair's entire immediate family has been provided for under instructions the slain . The pain was turned up a notch for two of McNairs sons who said they were not invited to their fathers jersey-retirement ceremony last year. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. 12:30 a.m.: Ali drives Crowe, Crowe'sgirlfriend and McNair to Losers, a bar on Division Street. 5 p.m.: Kazemi clocks out for a 30-minute break at Dave & Buster's but doesn't return for two hours. She was also making payments on another car after she couldn't sell it. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Even after an ugly split with the Titans resulted in McNair being traded to the Baltimore Ravens in 2006, he returned to Nashville when he retired after the 2007 season. McNair, who led the famous Tennessee Titans' drive that . Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron confirme McNair was no dummy, and he learned just fine. But for that to happen to theinfallibleMcNair? Exclusive Pictures: McNair's Lover Sahel Kazemi. Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George (27) takes the handoff from quarterback Steve McNair (9) during Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 St. Louis Rams victory Jan. 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Mason said. She sat next to his body and tried to position herself to fall into his lap when she died. Reach Erik Bacharach atebacharach@tennessean.comand on Twitter @ErikBacharach. "On the field, there isn't player that was as tough as him, especially at the quarterback position," the Ravens' Derrick Mason said. 6:26 p.m.: Gilliam and Kazemi call each other at the same time. The Tribune is an independent newsroom free from commercial and political pressures. Steve McNair's death on the Fourth of July has revealed that the former football star may have had a dark side that had been hidden from public view, the AP writes.Indeed, even McNair's wife may have only become aware of the romantic affair he had been carrying on with 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi after his death, sources told the New York Daily News The article, as were all of SIs stories back then, was fascinating remember SI writer Frank Deford? "Appreciate what you have because this is a very short window. Nothing seemed amiss. Ronald McNair was one of the astronauts killed 25 years ago on Jan. 28, when the space shuttle Challenger exploded. 1:47 p.m.: Neeley leaves the scene and contacts General Sessions Judge Casey Moreland, whom he has known for 15 years,to inform him about the bodies. NewsOne Featured Video. McNairs death shocked the country on the Fourth of July in 2009. The Daily Grind Video. You're in disbelief that even what you're hearing and how it happened, happened.". Things in the wrong places.". Mechelle McNair tended his numerous injuries at home, changing bandages and even helping with intravenous fluids in 2001 when her husband needed I.V. By 2 a.m. on July 4, police believe, both McNair and Kazemi were dead. McNair was in the front seat, but didn't break the law and was allowed to leave by taxi.