Steve McNair was perhaps the toughest quarterback to ever play the game – a modern day gladiator.

Time and time again McNair displayed gritty determination, playing hobbled and beaten, pushing through injury unlike any quarterback before him.

Possibly one of his most shining moments as as NFL quarterback came when he piloted the Tennessee Titans to mere inches of forcing overtime in Super Bowl XXIV against the Rams.

McNair singled handily carried the Titans down the field, essentially on one leg, only to be stopped on the goal line.

McNair threw a completion to recevier Kevin Dyson, who was stopped just inches from scoring the tying touchdown.

As a Saints fan I have seen Steve McNair play New Orleans only twice in his thirteen year career, once with the Titans and once with the Ravens.

In both games McNair displayed his leadership attributes and dogged determination to win, securing victories in both.

In 2003, as a Titan, McNair lead his team to a 27-12 win over the Saints. He completed 22 of 33 passes for for 252 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Then again in 2006, as a Raven, he beat the Saints 35-22. McNair completed 17 of 23 passes for 159 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also had a rushing touchdown.

Both performances were indicative of the type of player he was and should be recalled as.

I hope that he will be remembered for his body of work on the football field, not the mysterious circumstances surrounding his untimely death.

McNair’s legacy is one of toughness, a dark horse that proved to the NFL that the boy from Alcorn State could play football.

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