Remembering Steve McNair: Once a Titan, always a Titan
![PITTSBURGH-SEPTEMBER 28: Steve McNair #9 of the Tennessee Titans smiles while talking to a teammate during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 28, 2003 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Titans defeated the Steelers 30-13. (Photo by Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images) PITTSBURGH-SEPTEMBER 28: Steve McNair #9 of the Tennessee Titans smiles while talking to a teammate during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 28, 2003 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Titans defeated the Steelers 30-13. (Photo by Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Ftitansized-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F2611569-850x560-0e8243d5abc9c435aafa8968be2d8f8143badf27214acc95191eb1023c41c669.jpg)
Steve McNair: Once a Titan, Always a Titan
There are so many things to love about Steve McNair, whether it be his winning ways with the Titans, his amazing skill set or his incredible toughness. He truly embodied everything that this franchise—or any franchise—wants to be.
He may have moved on after 11 years with the team, but McNair has always been, and will always be, a Titan. There is nothing that will ever change that.
So it’s only fitting that McNair will have his jersey retired this upcoming season, along with another Titans legend, running back Eddie George. Together, these two players took this franchise to new heights and both deserve the recognition of having their number retired forever.
McNair didn’t have it easy. He had to work for every bit of love from fans that he received and no amount of adversity would stop him from doing so. Nothing was handed to him and he made the most out of every bit of talent he had.
We can all certainly sit here and be sad for losing such a great player and man, but doing only that would be wrong. Instead, we should remember just how lucky we were to be witnesses firsthand to just how special McNair was while he was still with us, playing at the top of his game.
In the biggest spots, No. 9 answered the bell and gave us something to hope for, to love, to respect—and I don’t think any of us could have asked for anything more than that.
Rest in peace, our dear friend. You have never been forgotten, nor will you ever be forgotten.