Vince Young-Jeff Fisher Feud Paralyzes Titans: Bud Adams Stuck in Crisis

So the music industry must be as broken as the Tennessee Titans, when a little kid by the name of Justin Bieber won Artist of the Year award at the American Music Awards. It’s a divorce of mutual antipathy, and has miserably tarnished an irreparable relationship in the Music City a place that has fueled an ongoing feud, entertaining an everlasting soap opera in Tennessee.

The corruption looms in the South for a team still in contention of possibly claiming a postseason berth, but the disappearance of romance and an unhealthy relationship concerning Jeff Fisher and Vince Young has promptly disjointed an entire franchise, and has also paralyzed the mettle of the Titans. In the national viewpoint, it’s a time when no one has reserved judgment on Fisher’s psychological strategy to purge Young of his duties as the starting quarterback in the near future, prepared to move forward without the underachiever.

And by now, Titans owner Bud Adams knows he cannot possibly promise his quarterback and coach employment next season, as long as a full-blown feud in the annex of intense disturbance creates borderline insanity. And yet, at this moment, there's no remedy for both men in the middle of a disagreement for which reconciling seems impossible. If he has dismissed Young in an erratic culture, then the future gazes upon tumultuous, unless Adams offers an ultimatum as a cure.


The irony is that Fisher has turned down a priceless relationship, ready to disconnect with a quarterback in much enigma of his performance on turf. The glaring notion is that Fisher has no intentions in working alongside Young in the future, turning elsewhere to fill the hardest position in football. As of late Sunday, a shaky breakup created mayhem in the city of Nashville, hearing the titanic controversy in regards to an inevitable separation and the masses begging for both Young and Fisher to be ousted, furious of the tasteless dysfunction that has left a city dazed and disgusted.

The buzz, as of now, is reflected on Young's thumb injury and he will miss the rest of the season to undergo season-ending surgery, a timing excuse to shove away the fifth-year quarterback eternally. So, while Fisher is obviously dispirited with Young's progress, his boss insisted that both his player and coach needed to just get along. Assuming that the Tennessean reports are valid, Adams said Young will be the team's starter in 2011.

Without hesitation, he stated, "Oh, God, yes!"

Adams, a native of Texas who believes in his star player, trusts in Young. There is a reaction, however, to this theory of Adams defending his quarterback, partly because Young, a Houston native who guided the Longhorns to national title in a memorable upset over USC, is a well-known Texas breed and has similar ties as the Titans bias owner. As long as Fisher is the manipulator, after conducting a useful foundation since the team landed in Nashville, he'll be given the command to voice personnel decisions leading into the future of team layouts.

And if Young is part of the Titans blueprint down the road, a heated confrontation in the locker room is likely to erupt acrimony and could suddenly harm the stature of an unsettled franchise. The aura of the Titans is fading and Adams is stuck in a bad predicament, forced in releasing either his player or coach as a way to lull undesirable feuding. Few are more fortunate than Adams, such as Raiders owner Al Davis.

For once, without any cartoonish drama influencing a probable season, the franchise in Oakland isn't ridiculed but Tennessee is mocked for all the madness tearing down the Titans 5-5 season. It could have been the tirade and hissy fit he threw over on the sideline, when Young sustained his injury as he is now portrayed as a trouble-maker and a distraction, and perceived differently by a disgruntled Fisher. He knew he was lucky to be playing in the first place, even though he lacked maturity in the past and stumbled in must-needed games, only to be benched in favor of veteran Kerry Collins, who's recovering from a calf injury.

"I will say this," Fisher said of Young's injury, "had he been healthy, he still would not be the starter."


From the look on his face, Fisher is holding a grudge on Young. If so, it's hard to tell which direction this issue is leading to, when reports were released that he's welcome to the team's facility. It was shortly after the Titans 19-16 loss on Sunday against the Redskins that a verbal altercation had flared in the locker room, when Fisher opted not to allow Young back in the game in the fourth quarter.

"We are in the race," Fisher said.

Adams clearly knows Fisher of 16 years is his man, but he also believes Young is his franchise quarterback. He has been a cornerstone on this franchise for a long time, long before Young's arrival. And in this league, he has been a disciplinary coach, a trait that has defined his personality. Respect it, or leave it. That is Fisher's attitude.

There is no shortage of specifics on Young's lack of maturity, as to how he plays consistently, as to how he prepares in practice sessions, and as to how he handles adversity. The reality is that Fisher is ready to hand the rookie quarterback Rusty Smith the everyday task, confident that he's capable of the challenge. As far as he's concern, he'll be ready to replace Smith next week at Houston if he stumbles in his NFL debut with the recent addition of backup Chris Simms.

Anybody but Young.

When it ends dramatically and abruptly, someone must leave. It's understandable that either Fisher or Young will not return, but this is something Adams will have to figure out on his own.

Insubordinate Randy Moss Only Brings Aboard a Titanic Disaster at Tennessee

There eventually comes a time, especially when it involves a cancerous hazard or someone insubordinate, that we can simply create an analogy in regards of Randy Moss’ rebellious nonsense. In a sense, he kind of reminds you of the baddest ass thug ever, a pitiful quitter on the field and a selfish rogue as far as gelling with his teammates and a desperate coaching staff.

As the most irritable person in the league, Moss is a problem-child and needs to badly be an aloof from the game of football for which we are accustomed to his childish antics, postgame rants and stupidity. There is, however, one desperate franchise in the NFL, not bothered by his ignorance or frivolous personality.

And as it turns out, the Tennessee Titans are ignoring the possibilities of a risky notion, landing the talented but troubled wide receiver off waivers Wednesday. If there is a scare in the NFL, it’s because Moss’ actions present problems, not only to the league, but for the Titans. It’s clearly another blunder on behalf of the Titans, but also an inescapable upgrading. It’s a risk, of course. If this implodes and humiliates a classy organization, coach Jeff Fisher may not survive in his long-tenure.

However, he has control of his locker room and franchise, but knowingly bringing aboard Moss, creates needless tension and could rapidly drag down morale and divide a cohesive unit. It’s obvious, in a way, that a dauntless Fisher doesn’t mind the challenge and clearly remains fearless in accepting renegade players. Now is not the time to ponder why the Titans are so desperate in rolling the dice on Moss, currently owning a 5-3 record and still haven’t played the divisional rival Indianapolis Colts or Houston Texans this season.

Even if he’s the most gifted wideout in the league, Moss is eclipsed for his prior antics and team distractions. Isn’t that a good explanation for why he has been dumped twice this season, coming within a span of 26 days? As long as he is getting touches and winning games, Moss is content. But if he’s not getting touches or winning games, he’s discontent.

And maybe he is valuable to the Titans, but he wasn’t so priceless to the Minnesota Vikings, the team that acquired him less than a month ago, trading a third-round pick to the New England Patriots for Moss. In less than a month, the Vikings cut him and felt it was a regrettable decision to trade for a cancerous star.

“It was a poor decision,” Childress said. “I’ve got to stand up and I have to make it right. When it’s not right, you need to make it right.”

Wherever Moss winds up, he’ll bring his problems with him. Wherever he goes, he’ll be an unhappy superstar and unproductive. He settled for 13 catches for 174 yards and two touchdowns in four games in Minnesota, numbers that continuously is on decline in his 14th NFL season. In retrospect, he can still be a factor in the offense, only if he rids the mood swings and begins to play with a sense of urgency.


Even if he’s 33, Moss can still be explosive and a deadly threat on the field. If Moss doesn’t blend in and suddenly turns into a nuisance, Fisher can part ways with the erratic receiver, a veteran who is whacko on the field and has a tendency of backstabbing his teammates and coaches. At this point, Fisher feels it is worth taking gambles when it can very well benefit the Titans in a competitive division.

In the point of his tenure, he’s seeking a championship, but figuring that Moss is the solution is a mistake and it won’t last long before he’s unhappy again. Aside from his irritableness, the difference is now that Moss is coached by Fisher, an unrelenting and an austere coach, akin to former coach Bill Belichick in New England.

Yet he doesn’t quite fit the protocol, given his history in the past, the Titans are doing whatever it takes to stay in competition in a rigid AFC conference. So, they are suddenly delighted to welcome in a new playmaker. No matter what, though, he’s a trouble-maker more than he is a playmaker.

All other teams were mostly smart enough, rejecting a distinguished wideout available following a stunning development and recognized that he was a controversial calamity for any team. Beyond all, he’s not a cure, but a malcontent receiver. Beyond all, he’s a soap opera, not a superstar on the field. For now, Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt is missing in action, nursing a hamstring injury. And until he returns fully in good health, the Titans can benefit with Moss if he’s on his best behavior. His presence scares AFC teams and most are now force to plan differently. His presence makes the franchise more superior, only if he’s on his best behavior, though.

“Randy’s been a good teammate, and he’s very popular. I think this is a great opportunity for him. It’s a fresh start,” Fisher said. “We’ve got a great locker room. They’ll accept him. I’m confident he’ll accept his new teammates as well.”

Oh, yes, good luck with that Moss guy.

He is a huge risk.

Chris Johnson Ready To Prove Naysayers Wrong, Again; Committing to Excellence Towards Being the Best Back in the NFL

TENNESSEE—Chris Johnson will most probably set there, laughing. Laughing at what the folks have seen saying of him that his production could drop. Just recently, Minnesota Vikings’ star running back Adrian Peterson was making negative comments about the league-leading 2,000-yard rusher of last season for the Tennessee Titans. Peterson would say he is better than Johnson although he has a much bigger problem than Johnson which ruins his status as the number one running back in the league currently: fumbling. However, he said what he said.

“You’ve got to understand you’re talking to a guy … that’s just the mentality that I have,” Peterson said, as transcribed by Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune. “I have ultimate respect for the guy and he’s a heck of a player. I remember at one point and time me talking on the phone to Chris Johnson. He was telling me, ‘I’m just a big fan of yours. I like your style.’ Some (of the) advice that I gave him was, ‘I play this game to be the best player ever to play the game. That’s my mentality.’”

Peterson said he is the best in the league. Not Johnson, as many people would think currently.

“If you want to be the best running back then you’ve got to believe it before you can accomplish that,” Peterson said. “My mentality doesn’t change. I wish everyone the best that they succeed. But ultimately I play this game to be the best and I’m going to work my tail off to accomplish that goal.”

Peterson is not only one of the many doubters and naysayers of Johnson. Many question if he can be able to put this type of production on for the next five years or so. They don’t think he can keep that type of production for this upcoming season, which begins just this week. But he is probably laughing. He will prove them wrong.

Chris Johnson had to make something of himself that hard way. He played excellent in the high school level of football, many questioned if he can apply that to the NCAA, since many of the teams he faced were just absolute garbage to say at the least. The best he could get was a place called East Carolina University. There, Johnson shined, but many didn’t notice. Again, people questioned his ability since the teams ECU faced were not that good and elite as many of the other colleges out there in NCAA football. It was all just a waste, then.

But Johnson didn’t give up. His last chance to prove himself was at the NFL Scouting Combine held in Indianapolis, Indiana. Johnson made his mark and helped his status in the NFL Draft, running a 4.24 in the 40-yard-dash. That timing was the fastest they saw at the Combine that year. From there, he would get drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the early 20′s of the Draft.

It was not a happy pick by many of the Titans’ fans. They were actually pretty stubborn and very unhappy with the selection the Titans made. With LenDale White already there, it just seemed like no use of having Johnson since he also came off a 1,000-yard rushing year. Johnson also seemed like one of those speedy backs who couldn’t take a hit. But he would prove the naysayers wrong.

Johnson would go on for a fabulous year and getting honored for it. He would rush for 1,228 yards along with nine touchdowns. He would gain about five yards per carry. He would also create a solid one-two punch with LenDale White, otherwise known as Smash-and-Dash. But Johnson was easily outperforming White, and the next year, it was Chris Johnson’s moment to steal the show on the stage.

2009 would be a huge feat for any sophomore player, sophomore running back, and many many many running backs in NFL history in general. He would rush for 2,006 yards with 14 touchdowns along with 5.6 yards per carry. He was rolling and was becoming a savior and a so-called God or Messiah to many fantasy football owners. Johnson was the man.

Now entering a new year with the Titans, Johnson is out to prove the naysayers wrong again. He probably hears the same thing everyday: Will his production slip? Experts would say just a little bit or maybe very low in the 1,400 yards range or something like that. All-in-all, many don’t think he will at the top of his game like he was last year. They say it just seems impossible for him top out what he did in 2009.

He has been receiving praise, however. Much praise. But they are still many people doubting his ability, like Adrian Peterson. Many analysts and experts claim other running backs are still better as names like Adrian Peterson come out and even Frank Gore. Peterson even claimed he was better in the following quotes said to the Star-Tribune, which was seen earlier in this column. But what is on Chris Johnson’s mind?

“The goal is 2,500 so I am going to stick to that. I feel like it is very realistic. People didn’t think 2,000 was realistic when I set the goal last year and I made a lot of people believers, so I am going to stick to that,” he told the Tennessean.

He also told this to the Sporting News, “I made a decision to change my nickname to Every Coach’s Dream. I feel like I’m the best player in the NFL. What more can a coach want from the position? You’ve still got people debating — is it Chris Johnson or Adrian Peterson? No way possible there should be a debate about who’s the best running back in the NFL.”

SBnation.com claimed that Johnson had swagger. And indeed he does. Johnson said after this year, he will fully put himself as the number one back in the league. And I don’t doubt that. For opposing teams and defenses going against CJ, they better watch out. Johnson is bigger, better, faster, stronger, and he is ready to show that he is truly the number one back.

With his golden smile, his dreadlocks swaying in the air, and another six points on the board, Johnson is ready to commit.

Commit to excellence.

Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself: LeGarrette Blount Needs to Calm Down Before He Ruins His Career

Just two short years ago, during the 2008-09 College Football season, LeGarrette Blount had it all going for him. He was the star running back for the Oregon Ducks, who had aspirations of possibly being a star running back in the NFL one day.

During that 2008-09 season, he had rushed for 1,002 yards along with a school record 17 touchdowns. He did all this, including averaging 7.3 yards-per-carry, while sharing the backfield with teammate Jeremiah Johnson, who was the featured back and who also eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the year with a team high 1,201 yards.

This led many to believe, as many still believe today, that Blount had the talent to succeed even in the NFL. However, recent incidents, along with his troubled past, might just prevent him from ever succeeding not only in the NFL, but in life in general. Simply put, LeGarrette needs to calm himself down before his career is over.

Coming out of Taylor County High School in Perry, Florida, Blount wasn’t considered all that great a back. Rivals.com and Scout.com both considered him a two-star recruit despite the fact he had rushed for 1,000 yards three times as a four-year starter for Taylor County High.

He wasn’t highly recruited, and while he attempted to attend Auburn University and tried to get an athletic scholarship, he was never offered one, and wasn’t able to qualify academically.

This led him to head to East Mississippi Community College in Scooba, MS, where racked up two impressive 1,000-yard seasons as one of the nation’s best junior college athletes.

One of his career highlights was a 273-yard performance along with three touchdowns in a win over Northeast Mississippi Community College as a freshman.

He was ranked as the No. 1 junior college prospect by The Clarion-Ledger after his first season, and received Junior College All-American honors.

Within another year he was considered by most to be one of the nation’s highest ranked junior college prospects at any position, and was named the No. 1 junior college running back by Rivals.com in their Junior College Top 100 from that year.

Now proving his mettle, he was highly recruited by many schools, yet decided to try and fly high with the Ducks, where Oregon coaches said Blount reminded them of Reuben Droughns.

Even with his stellar first year with the Ducks, though, there were troubling signs. He had some quarrels with veteran head coach Mike Bellotti that earned him a suspension for the first quarter of a November loss to the California Golden Bears for “not following team rules.”

After the season had ended his troubles with Bellotti didn’t end, and the head coach suspended him indefinitely on February 10 for “failure to fulfill team obligations.”

When the Oregon Ducks got rid of Bellotti and brought in new head coach Chip Kelly, this was a boon for Blount, who was reinstated by Kelly after it had been determined he’d responded well to Bellotti’s suspension and had improved.

With the new season about to unfold, Blount and his team felt good. He was on the watch lists for the Walter Camp Award, as well as the Doak Walker Award, and there seemed nothing that could stand in his way. It seemed he was destined to eventually be an NFL running back. Using basketball jargon, you could say it was a “slam dunk” or in boxing parlance, it was a “knockout” that he was headed for stardom.

Then, of course, Blount “knocked” himself out of the running for those awards and possibly even a career, when he decked Boise State defensive end Byron Hout after a 19-8 loss to the Broncos.

It was the season-opener for the Ducks during that 2009 season, and Hout had jawed incessantly to the Ducks and Blount during the game. He continued his antagonistic provocation after the game, and when he came up to Blount running his mouth some more and touched him on the shoulder, LeGarrette blew a gasket and literally knocked him out, as you can see in the photo to the right.

This might not have drawn a great deal of notice if the game hadn’t been on national TV. As it was, the video of the incident became an instant viral classic on the Internet, leading the sports news universe for days.

The gist of it was he was suspended for the entire season by coach Kelly. Yet, many in the media expressed doubt as to whether this was justified, and voiced the opinion that Blount should have simply received a few games suspension in order to cool his jets, so to speak.

In the end, after numerous apologies from Blount, including an apology letter published in the Oregon school newspaper, the Oregon Daily Emerald, he was reinstated for the November 14 game against the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Releasing a statement prior to the game, Blount thanked his coach, saying that he, “cares enough to offer me this second chance.” He further said he hoped to “prove to people that their lasting impressions of me are not what they saw in Boise.”

He didn’t get much of a chance to prove anything in the game against Arizona State, nor in the game against the Arizona Wildcats that followed, sitting on the bench because his replacement, LaMichael James, had been playing so well already that year.

He did get in on the action during the Ducks final game of the year against their hated rivals, Oregon State. Coming in to relieve James when his team trailed by 9 points, he quickly scored on a 12-yard run to bring them within two.

He would end the game with 51 yards rushing, and was a huge help in getting a 37-33 win for the Ducks against the Beavers that earned them a berth in the 2010 Rose Bowl against Ohio State.

Even then his future was in doubt, as he went undrafted in the NFL Draft.

However, one team took a chance on him, the Tennessee Titans. They signed him to a contract, and he is currently battling for a third-string running back position along with Stafon Johnson and Dominique Lindsay on the team behind behind starter Chris Johnson and backup Javon Ringer.

Struggling so far in camp, Blount displayed to the world that his anger issues aren’t yet completely in check.

Expressing his frustration during practice, he put on another “boxing” exhibition, punching his teammate this time. Luckily the man was wearing a helmet at the time, or Blount might have knocked him out as he did Byron Hout.

However, such an action is no laughing matter.

In fact, such behavior could easily get him cut from the team, and worse, could prevent him from every drawing any interest from another team. Franchises love talented players, and will sometimes look the other way when it comes to character flaws of their superstars. However, if the talent is marginal, they’re not likely to put up with many character issues.

I have only this advice for LeGarrette Blount. CALM THE HELL DOWN!

My father always told me to think about the consequences before I made any moves or took any action. Apparently Blount’s own father never told him the same, or if he did, it still hasn’t sank in.

Punching a teammate, especially after the incident he was a part of just over a year ago, won’t endear him to Titans coaches, and will only make him look terrible. He needs to get his anger in check quick or he may see himself on the outside looking in.

If he truly wants to make something of himself, and succeed, even to a minimal degree in the NFL, and not be a total failure in his career, he needs to calm down and start thinking about his actions as they pertain to his future.

Check yourself, LeGarrette, before you wreck yourself!

Steve McNair's Love Affair Turns Into Shocking Death

Rather facing the truth, we were quick to utter that Steve McNair wasn’t the type of man who never got into trouble or the type of individual who lived flawlessly, without any hardships.


But the truth of the matter is that none of us are perfect, and McNair wasn’t the man everyone saw, having two different lifestyles, which traumatically led to his shocking death on Saturday.

The masses, legendary players to former teammates described McNair as one of the toughest quarterbacks, able to cope with painful injuries and have anointed his monumental legacy. But we never knew his personal lifestyle away from the game, and sadly learned his customs when the somber news was reveled.

He was a good man and exceptional citizen in the community of Nashville. Aside from the good things, much of McNair’s relationship life was kept private and was baleful. It sadly unveiled tragically that he had a significant other on the side of a lovable affair that turned into a deadly massacre.

Truth is McNair was having an affair with a 20-year old girl, meeting and associating with her at a restaurant where McNair visited regularly. Sahel Kazemi, a waitress at the restaurant and his secret girlfriend, frequently spent ample of time at his downtown condominium and her apartment.

They constantly developed a lovable bond, and flourished into sole mates, dating and vacationing for several months. As details surfaces, it seemed as if McNair had accepted vows with his assumed mistress.

The reason I believe he made commitments is because of an Escalade that was registered to her and McNair after police stopped her and arrested her for driving under the influence and denied taking a breath test. At the time of all this, McNair was in the passenger seat, but wasn’t charged and later fled the scene in a taxi.

Bailing her out of jail, should have presented signs of trouble. After all, she was a young girl and was a problem-child. From there, it led to further distress, a tragic death that was so shocking, many denied his death and refused to believe the truth.

Well, the truth is McNair was found dead inside the condominium, suffering four gunshot wounds, including twice in the head, and his girlfriend was found dead resting near a pistol on the living room floor with one gunshot wound near the head.

The major shock of the entire football family was classified as a homicide by the metro Nashville police department.


Suddenly, a good citizen was lost all because of an affair that none of us never expected from a family man and a virtuous legend that we all had tremendous respect for and admired on Sundays. All there’s left are the great memories he’ll leave behind and that we as football maniacs will cherish.

You were accustomed to his touchdown gestures, his work ethic, his charisma and his agenda to win. You feasted on his dynamics, such as his singular pocket passes, his nifty scrambling and his determination to quarterback the Tennessee Titans to its first ever Super Bowl appearance, where unfortunately they came up short in a painful lost to the St. Louis Rams.

One day, McNair was going to be given the privilege to wear a mustard jacket and would have being remembered as one of the greatest legendary quarterbacks at the Hall of Fame.

Indeed, in grievance, there’s more to than just the Hall of Fame, and it certainly wasn’t the only thing worth living. As questions remain to be seen on who murdered McNair, the police department is not classifying Kazemi’s death. Like a gruesome mystery, the police department must probe and put pieces of the missing puzzle together.

What we do know is that some killed him, but whom? Was there a man who was apart of her life? Or could it have being a dispute between McNair and her, which led to a violent scene?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not accusing her or anyone for that matter, but something is outlandish about this horrific crime scene. This leaves his wife, Mechelle, and four sons in despair, and the entire football world in shock.

People who know McNair are acknowledging that he was a terrific parent. Right now, in Nashville, nothing is terrific. Right now, a tragedy is mind-blowing and somberly senseless. We loss a man on the day America celebrated its birthday, with fireworks brighten the sky.

But in Nashville, it was bullets darken the sky, emasculating spirit in a city where everyone saluted McNair of sporting enthusiasm, not to mention his contagious stamina to erase displeasing troubles and exposed ascendancy. McNair’s firmness and prowess allowed the Titans to defy self-assurance as well as in the city of Nashville.

It’s sad to say it was the death of likable citizen, not only as a NFL player, but a likable man in general.

McNair's Memories Are Contagious, Passionate

I’m disheartened and shocked to hear that America lost a tough-minded and former NFL star in Steve McNair on America’s birthday.

For many seasons, he was the one quarterback admired. A prime example was when he declared citizenship as a Tennessee resident, morphing into everyone’s idol. Known for his toughness, McNair was also known for his unique touchdown gestures that can never be replaced, his singular footwork that can’t be taught, and his competitiveness that was contiguous.

Players all have nothing but good comments to say about McNair, mostly having to do with his toughness on the field. Finding a clone will never replace the original—a general who was passionate and generous, gave everything in his 13 NFL seasons, tossed passes, scrambled, and embodied resiliency.

He engineered the Tennessee Titans' and Baltimore Ravens' offenses, spreading charisma and fortitude. Basically, he was a preacher, transmitting the word of firmness and ambition. If there’s anything to remember, one thing to bear in mind is McNair’s wisdom, resonating fame among a town that had never reached triumph.

When McNair arrived to Nashville in 1999, he became the most perceptible athlete in a town that never had any immunity of felicitating or praising a lucrative and substantial superstar. A town without an authorized domain, he changed it from a disengaging psyche into a cordial environment.

For years while in the league, McNair was the most-beloved athlete, especially in Nashville where he was hollowed and preserved more popularity than Elvis.

In the sport that America embraces so heavily, McNair was treated as the greatest icon, constituting not only a good-natured smile, but a football ritual in the state where raccoons live and music echoes.

In his stint with the Titans, McNair built an unbreakable bond, and was recognized profoundly when he guided them to a new apex, the near-Super Bowl victory over St. Louis.

They were so close. They were inspired. They were prompted.

Courtesy of McNair, memories are mentioned, and descriptions are given of what he represented to the organization with his powerful agenda of vows to generate achievements. Suddenly, it was a town of commitment and renowned models. Even failures quickly emerged into success.

Saturday, the same day our nation celebrated July 4, police found McNair, 36, dead after multiple gunshot wounds, including a fatal shot to the head in a downtown condominium.

Police haven’t caught the suspect involved in his tragic death, but police acknowledged a pistol was detected near the body of a woman, indentified as Sahel Kazemi, who was found dead as well.

In this terrible tragedy, McNair leaves behind wife, Michelle, and four sons, distraught about losing not just a warrior on the field, but a warrior of his family. He was a family man foremost, and secondly a football man, understanding the values of life and the game.

Today, we are devastated, crestfallen, and deeply numb for losing a respectful icon, but more important, a respectful human.

To remember McNair, describe his passionate work ethic and generous thoughtfulness. To remember McNair, in retrospect, his dynamics and ability to carry the forlorn Titans to the Super Bowl XXXIV was painful. But it was also one of the greatest monumental flashbacks, when they unfortunately fell short to the Rams on a compelling 73-yard reception by Isaac Bruce in the heartbreaking disappointment.

There wasn’t much McNair needed to accomplish, deciding to retire from the game where he accomplished things an average athlete will never sustain. For instance, McNair shared a fruitful season and award with Peyton Manning in 2003. They were named NFL’s co-MVPs for lifting their teams to victories.

In his time spent quarterbacking teams, McNair divulged he was productive enough to qualify for the Hall of Fame with tremendous passing yards—good results to regard accomplishments in his tenure, and acceptable for sending him to Canton.

Troubles have hinged McNair a bit, when he was charged with driving under the influence in ’07. Eventually charges were dismissed.

Never had he driven under the influence, but was held liable as a passenger. After all, he had never done wrong.

At least, that is how players and former teammates remember McNair, a three-time Pro Bowler. Former Titans and Ravens teammate Samari Rolle shared sympathy and thoughts, and former teammate Derrick Mason expressed compassion. When the saddening news broke, McNair’s former coach Jeff Fisher was overseas, participating in the first NFL-USO coaches tour to Iraq.

As you can see, we should be deeply saddened. I send my thoughts and prayers to the McNair family, now mourning the death of a good man.

I’ll always remember him as a good man.