[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 111 (Wednesday, July 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1887]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING STEVE McNAIR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 22, 2009

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize 
the life and legacy of National Football League star quarterback Steve 
McNair.
  McNair played college football at Alcorn State University in Lorman, 
Mississippi where he won the 1994 Walter Payton Award as the top player 
in NCAA Division I-AA. McNair's college career became the stuff of 
legend, a true story of the all-conquering hero. As a mere freshman, 
McNair set nine records and was named Southwestern Athletic Conference 
player of the year. In his sophomore year, he led the nation in total 
offense, average 405.7 yards per game. McNair racked up numerous 500-
plus-passing-yard games, and many times he added another 100 yards 
rushing.
  McNair was drafted third overall by the NFL's Houston Oilers in 1995. 
He became the Oilers' regular starting quarterback in 1997. At 22, he 
had become the Oilers' highest-paid player. Quarterbacks usually 
develop more gradually than other players their first season. In 
Tennessee, though, he started six games over the prior two seasons in 
Houston, and remained the starting quarterback for the Titans until 
2005. As the steady starter at quarterback, McNair steadily accrued 
impressive stats on third-down conversions and pass completions, 
touchdowns per starts, and rushing, among others. In the 1997 season, 
for example, his 674 yards rushing was the third-highest for a 
quarterback in NFL history. By the end of that season, McNair had 
garnered the second-best overall rating of any quarterback drafted in 
the previous six years from that point on McNair had become one of the 
league's best quarterbacks. At the end of the 1998 season, the Titans--
the Oilers' new name--had placed second in the AFC Central. In 1999 
McNair led to the Titans to an AFC championship. When he took the field 
as the starting quarterback against the St. Louis Rams, he became just 
the second black quarterback to start in the Super Bowl. Though the 
Titans lost the game to the Rams, McNair's strong performance did not 
go unnoticed around the league, where McNair was considered a rising 
star. The Titans signed McNair to a six-year, $47 million contract 
extension in July of 2001.
  After the 2005 season, McNair was traded to the Baltimore Ravens, 
with whom he played for two seasons before retiring after 13 NFL 
seasons. McNair led the Titans to the playoffs four times and the 
Ravens once, and played in Super Bowl XXXIV with the Titans. He is the 
Titans' all-time leading passer. McNair was selected to the Pro Bowl 
three times, and was All-Pro and Co-MVP in 2003.
  The contributions Steve McNair made to college and professional 
football will never be forgotten. He touched the lives of many people 
on and off the field. Steve McNair will truly be missed by his 
community and colleagues throughout the country.
  Please join me today in honoring the remarkable life of Steve McNair.

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