McNair announces to teammates in meeting he's retiring
By John Clayton
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: April 17, 2008, 2:50 PM ET
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The news that Steve McNair decided to retire Thursday came as a little bit of a surprise.


Dual Threat

Steve McNair retires as one of the most versatile quarterbacks in NFL history. He's just one of three quarterbacks to amass over 30,000 yards passing and more than 3,000 yards rushing.

Quarterback Passing yards Rushing yards
Fran Tarkenton 47,003 3,674
Steve Young 33,124 4,239
Steve McNair 31,304 3,590

According to his agent, Bus Cook, McNair had only expressed a desire to retire in the past couple of days. He had been training hard during the offseason, doing a lot of weightlifting and running to help his legs. At the NFL owners meeting, new Ravens coach John Harbaugh praised McNair for his hard work and indicated he had lost about 10 pounds from last season.

On Wednesday, McNair and Cook discussed the retirement possibilities and the veteran quarterback said he was going to inform the team Thursday about retiring.

McNair announced his decision to teammates at a packed meeting prior to the Ravens' workouts Thursday morning.



"Steve is just really tired," Cook said. "He just didn't think he had the energy to keep it going."

Harbaugh, general manager Ozzie Newsome and wide receiver Derrick Mason and cornerback Samari Rolle accompanied McNair at a news conference announcing the retirement on Thursday afternoon.



Is Steve McNair a Hall of Famer?
Yes
No



The 35-year-old McNair guided the Ravens to a 13-3 record in 2006, his first season in Baltimore after 11 years in Tennessee. But he injured his groin during the season opener last season and never regained the form that enabled him to earn a berth in four Pro Bowls.

McNair developed back and shoulder injuries and played in only six games in 2007. He threw only two touchdown passes, was intercepted four times and lost seven fumbles before being placed on injured reserve in December, ending his most frustrating season in the NFL.

McNair spent 13 seasons in the NFL, and was named the co-Most Valuable Player in 2003.


Drafted by the then-Houston Oilers in the first round of the 1995 draft out of Division I-AA Alcorn State, McNair became a starter in his third season -- the franchise's first in Tennessee. He led the Titans to the Super Bowl XXXIV, where he led a comeback that fell one yard short of a game-tying touchdown as time expired in the St. Louis Rams' 23-16 win.



McNair was known as "Air McNair" in college, where he set NCAA records in Alcorn State's wide-open offense and won the 1994 Walter Payton Award as the best player in I-AA football. But he shed that nickname for a reputation for physical toughness in the NFL, where he often played through injuries.


Walker: Mississippi Men
Fellow Mississippi natives Steve McNair and Brett Favre are forever associated with one another because they were cut from the same, tough-guy cloth. While McNair is not a lock for Hall of Fame induction, he has a proud legacy, too, writes James Walker.Story
In his 13-year career, McNair completed 2,733 of 4,544 passes for 31,304 yards and 174 touchdowns with 119 interceptions. He also carried for 3,590 yards.

In his first season with Baltimore, McNair played in all 16 games and finished the season with an invitation to play in his fourth Pro Bowl. He threw for 3,050 yards and 16 touchdowns, but was intercepted twice in the Ravens' 15-6 playoff loss to Indianapolis.

Last year, however, was a disaster. After McNair got off to a horrid start, then-coach Brian Billick held the quarterback out for two straight weeks before the team's bye on Oct. 28, hoping the rest would enable the veteran's ailing body to heal. But McNair was ineffective upon his return: He lost two fumbles and threw an interception in a 38-7 defeat at Pittsburgh, then threw for only 128 yards before being replaced in the fourth quarter of a 21-7 loss to Cincinnati.

It turned out to be the last game of his career.

McNair's retirement leaves the Ravens with two quarterbacks: Kyle Boller and Troy Smith. It also increases the probability that Baltimore will seek a quarterback in the NFL draft later this month.

John Clayton
[Edited 4/17/08 12:23pm]

So long, Mac.

'Bout time.

SCNDLS said:

I wanted 2 see Steve get a ring.

Graycap23 said:

Woulda been nice but it was obvious he was torturing himself playing. I'ma hate to see him in 10 years.

He should have retired a Titan, though.

SCNDLS said:

Agreed. Have u seen Earl Cambell? Yikes.....

Graycap23 said:

Yeah, I sat next to him at a high school game in Austin in October. It was downright painful watching him walk up the stadium stairs. And that man was probably the most powerful running back EVER. (between him and JB but Earl prolly had more collisions) Every player should have to talk to Earl when they enter the league. Or watch the interview Costas did with him last year. These players gon' learn. . .

SCNDLS said:

I know. The NFL is no joke.

Graycap23 said:

Amazing that Earl and Tony Dorsett are the same age 59 I think, cuz TD is STILL foine. Got a wife about my age and lil kids.

SCNDLS said:

Yes but TD rarely got hit straight on.

McNair was/is a class act...the first NFL jersey I owned was his Titans jersey...he held in for a long time, maybe too long but I wish the NFL had more like him...

Graycap23 said:

Exactly, that's why Earl's paying the price now. But, DAMN, he got some good ass hot links.

Adisa said:

NOBODY from that era should retire a Titan.

He should retire an OILER.

RodeoSchro said:

RodeoSchro said:

Say that! I cried when the Oilers left Houston.

SCNDLS said:

If only Bud Adams could have left. If only the mayor (Bob Lanier) hadn't hated Adams so much.

Adams was a popdick. I sat next to him at a meeting during all the hullabaloo and he snorted, "Why should I care? I only have $25,000 invested in that team".

I offered him $50K on the spot, and he looked like he was going to shit a brick. But he shut up.

RodeoSchro said:

He had a good career...next to this years Super Bowl, he was part of my 2nd favorite SB...

He played hurt and that is to be admired....

Shame those baseball bastards make money playing in front of half empty stadiums

Graycap23 said:

Yeah, Earl was the Anti-ED (Eric Dickerson - Who never met a football pad nor sideline he didn't like). Earl would take on all comers and his body paid it for it then and is really paying for it now.

Hopefully they don't dick Steve by NOT putting him in the HOF. Dude is only the 3rd QB to throw for 30Gs and run for 3Gs.

RodeoSchro said:

And Prince should have gone in the RRHOF as a member of Graham Central Station.

Considering the injuries this man has suffered and played through, playing for thirteen years is a damn good accomplishment. He's not HOF material but he will be remembered as a tough as nails QB. Much respect Steve, I hope you do well with the rest of your life.

MuthaFunka said:

Agreed. He should get in the HOF, but I somehow doubt it.

UncleGrandpa said:

Adisa said:

LMAO.

Adisa said:

Good player but HOF? I don't think so.

Graycap23 said:

He made it to a Super Bowl. I think that's what gets him into the Hall, although I think it'll take a couple years of voting to get him in.

RodeoSchro said:

Is that enough? I don't think so.