ATLANTA – Eddie George woke up on January 30, 2000 – Super Bowl Sunday – feeling like a kid again.
The Titans running back, in his fourth NFL season and the turbulence that comes with playing in four different home stadiums in four years behind him, had survived it all.
And he was ready to live out a childhood dream.
"It was like Christmas Day," recalled George, smiling. "It was like, "This is something I've thought about since I was a young boy. But I felt comfortable. I felt like this was the next step to achieve greatness, by hoisting up that Lombardi Trophy. I was ready. I could hardly wait until kickoff."
Exactly 19 years ago -- 6,940 days to be exact -- in the Atlanta suburb of Buckhead, George got out of bed and lived a day he'll never forget as long as he lives. The day would include tears, following a 23-16 loss to the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV.
It would also include memories George carries with him today, 14 years after his playing career ended, and now closing in on his 46th birthday. The day includes memories with his fallen friend, late Titans quarterback Steve McNair, from their quiet moments before and after the game, to McNair's heroic moments on the field at the Georgia Dome.
In an interview with Titans Online leading up to Super Bowl LIII, George took us through his day, from beginning to end. His only regret was not winning the game, and not getting another chance.
This was Eddie George's day 19 years ago today:
George had his own room at the team hotel. Tamara Johnson, his girlfriend at the time (and now his wife), gave him a pep talk the night before, and then left him by himself.
"She kissed me and said: Go get 'em," George recalled. "I kind of went over a few things in my playbook, meditated a bit, visualized what the next day would be like, and I went to sleep."
George woke up and had breakfast, and then went to a chapel service at the team hotel.
"It was standing room only," George said. "I want to say every coach, every player, was in there. I felt like in that moment we all had this feeling that we were about to play the game of our lives, and we wanted to be connected in spirit with that."
After the service, George attended meetings. The gameplan was in place.
Then came the team meal. George sat with teammate Anthony Dorsett, and they couldn't keep from hearing the nearby televisions tuned to pregame Super Bowl coverage.
"Some of them were giving their Super Bowl predictions," George said. "One guy said it wasn't going to even be close. He predicted 38-13 Rams, and that ticked us off. We took it personally."
.....
On a gray day, George took the third bus from Buckhead to the Georgia Dome. He looked out the windows as he listened to music while heading down the Interstate, a police escort leading the way.
He was ready.
"I didn't have to pump myself up to play in this game," George said. "I wanted the whole world to see what we were made of, what I was made of, and I wanted to put on a performance like no other.
"On the bus, I looked around. I wanted to see every face on the bus, and soak up every memory."
The Titans buses headed down the tunnel, and into the Georgia Dome parking lot.
"When I got off the bus," George recalled, "I said to myself: 'The next time I get on this bus, I'm going to be a Super Bowl champion."
.....
George got himself mentally geared up in the locker room, and then headed out for warmups.
It didn't take him long to realize things were different.
George saw Sean "P Diddy" Combs on the sideline. Not far from him was Jon Bon Jovi. There were celebrities, and star athletes, everywhere.
"And as the stadium started to fill up," George said, "you could feel the energy. I was thinking, "Oh man. This is it. This is the big stage."
George returned to the locker room, and the team gathered before taking the field.
In the tunnel, he remembers jumping up and down, slapping fives with every coach and every player.
"And then I got to Steve," George said of McNair. "I put my arm around him and told him I loved him. I told him we'd been through so much, and this was our time. I just fell so connected with Steve, and with everyone."
The Titans then took the field. When George came sprinting out of the tunnel, teammates Blaine Bishop and Joe Salave'a were the first to greet him.
Faith Hill performed the National Anthem, and it was time to go.
.....
The game, of course, didn't start out as planned.
The Titans trailed 3-0 at the end of the first quarter, and 9-0 at the half. When Rams receiver Torry Holt caught a nine-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kurt Warner with 7:20 remaining in the third quarter, the Titans found themselves trailing the Rams 16-0.
That's when George remembers Titans coach Jeff Fisher giving a fiery talk on the sideline.
"He brought us all together," George said of Fisher. "He let us know (the Rams) thought the game was over, and they hadn't gotten our best shot yet. … We had almost two quarters to make a run, and we did just that."
A one-yard touchdown run by George made it 16-6 with 14 seconds left in the third quarter.
With 7:21 left in the game, George scored again on a two-yard run, making it 16-13.
"We were delivering body blows to the Rams," George said. "Every time I slammed it up in there, I could hear them gasping for air, taking the wind out of them. The momentum had shifted."
Then, with 2:12 left, the Titans tied the game at 16-16 on a 43-yard field goal by Al Del Greco.
Even when the Rams retook the lead at 23-16 with 1:54 left on a 73-yard touchdown pass from Warner to Isaac Bruce, George still believed.
"There was no sense of panic," George said. "We looked at the clock, and we knew we had time to score a touchdown, send the game into overtime, and then win the game.
"And lo and behold, Steve was masterful. He was like a surgeon on that drive with his throws, and his resiliency, putting the ball under his arm and running with it. We fed off his energy, and there was no doubt we were going to score and win the game."
Only it didn't happen.
Time stood still for George and the Titans as receiver Kevin Dyson was tackled at the one-yard line after making a catch on the final play of the game.
George sat down and watched the confetti fall from the roof of the Georgia Dome, as the Rams celebrated.
"I didn't want to leave the field," he recalled. "I couldn't believe it was over. I think all of us felt that way. We all felt so deeply that it was our time, and that we were destined to win the game. And to lose like that, at the one-yard line, after fighting so hard. It was gut-wrenching."
.....
George eventually left the field. He said he shed tears moments after the game, and then again later that night.
He returned to the locker room, did post-game interviews, and walked back on the same bus he'd boarded earlier in the day.
George sat down, across the aisle from McNair.
The two men looked at one another, and vowed to get back to the Super Bowl again one day.
George shakes his head when thinking about everything that's transpired since. He knows the 10th anniversary of McNair's death will be this summer.
"On that dark bus, Steve and I sat there, and we were just numb," George recalled. "We were excited, and devastated at the same time. Steve said, "Damn, 27, that was a hell of a ride, man. I said, "You know what? We gave it all we had, and we're going to make it back. We're going to make it back, and win it.
"Unfortunately, we never made it back. We came close, but we just couldn't get there. But it was a hell of a ride. When I think back at all those memories we shared together, it was special. It was a special time in all of our lives. It's hard to believe it's been 19 years. But just thinking back on all of it, you realize even more just how special it all was. It was a hell of a ride for sure. "
The Tennessee Titans take on the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga. (AP Photos)
The helmets of the St. Louis Rams, left, and Tennessee Titans flank the Vince Lombardi Trophy, which will be awarded to the winner of Sunday's Super Bowl XXXIV, at a news conference in Atlanta Sunday, Jan. 28, 2000. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) leads the offense against the St. Louis Rams defense during an NFL game in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Rams defeated the Titans 23-16 in Super Bowl XXXIV on January 30, 2000 (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher listens to a reporter's question during the team's media session Thursday morning, Jan. 27, 2000 in Atlanta. Fisher and the Titans face the St. Louis Rams in Sunday's Super Bowl XXXIV. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Night falls over the Georgia Dome and the city of Atlanta on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2000. The Georgia Dome is the site of Super Bowl XXXIV which will feature the St. Louis Rams against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
The last-minute preparations for Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 St. Louis Rams victory over the Tennessee Titans on January 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
The last-minute preparations for Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 St. Louis Rams victory over the Tennessee Titans on January 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tennessee Titans mascot and cheerleaders seen during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans by the score of 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) takes the field before Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 St. Louis Rams victory over on Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
The Tennessee Titans run onto the field during the player introductions before a 23 - 16 loss to the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV on January 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Cheerleaders and teammates greet Tennessee Titan running back Eddie George during pre-game introductions at the Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta on January 30, 2000. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Celebrated by fireworks and cheerleaders, the Tennessee Titans enter the field in a panoramic view at Super Bowl XXXIV January 30, 2000 in Atlanta. The St. Louis Rams defeated the Titans 23 - 16. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) enters the field amid cheerleaders and fireworks at Super Bowl XXXIV January 30, 2000 in Atlanta. The St. Louis Rams defeated theTitans 23 - 16. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Singer Faith Hill sings the National Anthem before the St. Louis Rams 23 - 16 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV on January 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Singer Phil Collins performs at halftime of Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 St. Louis Rams victory over the Tennessee Titans on January 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tina Turner performs during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans by the score of 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Lights-out halftime entertainment includes a full orchestra at Super Bowl XXXIV January 30, 2000 in Atlanta. The St. Louis Rams defeated the Tennessee Titans 23 - 16. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Dancers perform in the pregame show before Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 St. Louis Rams victory over the Tennessee Titans on January 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Christina Aguilera, left, and Enrique Iglesias perform during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans by the score of 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
County music singer Travis Tritt performs in the pregame show before Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 St. Louis Rams victory over the Tennessee Titans on January 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
St. Louis Rams defenders Jay Williams (96) and Leonard Little (57) stop Tennessee Titans wide receiver Derrick Mason (85) during the first quarter of Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
St. Louis Rams middle linebacker London Fletcher (59) pulls down Tennessee Titans tight end Frank Wycheck in the third quarter of Super Bowl XXXIV at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000. The Rams beat the Titans, 23-16.(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Derrick Mason (85) runs the ball during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George (27) carries the ball during Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 St. Louis Rams victory Jan. 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) gets set to throw a pass during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher huddles with his defense during an NFL Super Bowl XXXIV game against the St. Louis Rams on Jan. 30, 2000. The Rams defeated the Titans 23-16. (Allen Kee via AP)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner (13) throws a pass over Tennessee Titans defensive end Jevon Kearse (90) during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titan safety Blaine Biship arrives at his designated target, St Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner a split second too late as Warner's pass is away. Action in first quarter of Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta on Jan. 30, 2000. Al Messerschmidt/NFL Photos (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
The Tennessee Titans cheerleaders perform before Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23-16 Titans loss to the St. Louis Rams on January 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
The Tennessee Titans cheerleaders perform before Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23-16 Titans loss to the St. Louis Rams on January 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
The Tennessee Titans cheerleaders perform before Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23-16 Titans loss to the St. Louis Rams on January 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) huddles with head coach Jeff Fisher during an NFL Super Bowl XXXIV game against the St. Louis Rams on Jan. 30, 2000. The Rams defeated the Titans 23-16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George (27) and running back Lorenzo Neal (41) are seen during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans 23â€"16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George (27) runs the ball during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
The Tennessee Titans and St. Louis Rams square off in Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 Rams victory on January 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tennessee Titans fans show support for running back Eddie George during Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 loss to the St. Louis Rams on Jan. 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George (27) in action during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans by the score of 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George (27) runs the ball during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titans linebackers Joe Bowden (58) and Barron Wortham (52) are seen in action during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titans guard Bruce Matthews (74) lines up while quarterback Steve McNair (9) changes the play during Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 St. Louis Rams victory on Jan. 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) looks downfield during Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 St. Louis Rams victory Jan. 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher seen on the sideline during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans by the score of 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair celebrates a touchdown against the St Louis Rams at Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta on Jan. 30, 2000. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George (27) runs the ball during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) avoids a tackle from St. Louis Rams line backer Mike Morton (58) during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titan quarterback Steve McNair (9) runs from St Louis Ram linebacker London Fletcher at Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta on Jan. 30, 2000. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) runs the ball during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tenessee Titans wide receiver Kevin Dyson (87) is tackled just short of the goal by St. Louis Rams' Mike Jones, left, on the last play of Super Bowl XXXIV at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000. St. Louis defeated Tennessee 23-16. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kevin Dyson (87) of the reaches for the goal line in the final play of the fourth quarter while wrapped up by St. Louis Rams linebacker Mike Jones during Super Bowl XXXIV. The Rams defeated the Titans 23-16 in the Geaogia Dome in Atlanta on January 30, 2000. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kevin Dyson (87) tries but fails to get the ball into the end zone as he is tackled by St. Louis Rams' Mike Jones (52) on the final play of Super Bowl XXXIV on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000, in Atlanta. The Rams won 23-16. (Tony Tomsic via AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair talks with the press after Super Bowl XXXIV January 30, 2000 in Atlanta. The St. Louis Rams defeated the Titans 23 - 16. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George talks with the media following the Titans 23 - 16 loss to the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV on January 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair meets with the press after Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta. The St. Louis Rams defeated the Titans 23 - 16. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
