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CULVER CITY, Calif. -- Throughout his 13-year NFL career, Steve McNair was defined by his toughness and his ability to lead. The latest installment of NFL Network's Emmy-nominated series A Football Life examines the life and legacy of the quarterback who tragically lost his life at the age of 36, told through the words of his family, friends and former teammates.
Airing Wednesday, October 17 at 8:00 PM ET, Steve McNair: A Football Life chronicles the life of the quarterback who electrified NFL fans in Houston, Tennessee and Baltimore with his play on the field, yet lived a subdued life off it.
Selected third overall in the 1995 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers, McNair brought a versatile playing style to the quarterback position. During his senior season at Alcorn State University, McNair broke college football's all-time record for total offense and finished third in the Heisman Trophy vote. After starting only six games in his first NFL two seasons, McNair became the full-time starter in 1997, launching a career in which he led the Titans to Super Bowl XXXIV, was named co-MVP in 2003, and made an incredible impact on the teammates he played with and the community that cheered for him every Sunday.
On July 4, 2009, McNair was found dead in Nashville. The news shook those closest to McNair and the entire football world. The one-hour documentary explores the complicated legacy of McNair through interviews with family members, former teammates and coaches, and friends. Additionally, past footage of McNair spending time with his family on his farm in Mississippi and the annual gathering the McNair family now holds every Fourth of July to honor Steve is shown.
Steve McNair: A Football Life includes interviews with the following people:
Lucille McNair – Steve's mother
Fred McNair – Steve's brother
Tim McNair – Steve's brother
Steve McNair, Jr. – Steve's son
Tyler McNair – Steve's son
Trenton McNair – Steve's son
Steven McNair – Steve's son
Eddie George – Oilers/Titans running back, 1996-2003
Jeff Fisher – Former Oilers/Titans head coach, 1994-2010
Robert Gaddy – Steve's friend
Mitchell Williams – Mississippi sports anchor
Chris Sanders – Oilers/Titans wide receiver, 1995-2001
Mike Munchak – Oilers/Titans assistant coach, 1994-2010
Brad Hopkins – Oilers/Titans offensive tackle, 1993-2005
Zach Piller – Titans guard, 1999-2006
Floyd Reese – Oilers/Titans general manager, 1994-2006
Emmy-nominated actor from CBS' The Good Wife, Josh Charles, narrates.
For the first look at Steve McNair: A Football Life, visit:
Following are select quotes from Steve McNair: A Football Life:
- "Nobody's perfect. We all make mistakes, and a mistake cost him his life." – Lucille McNair
- "He was a fun, gregarious character, but laidback and quiet." – Eddie George
- "If I could have been there for my friend one more time, then he'd still be here. There are so many nights that I've gotten phone calls from him [asking], 'I need you here, I need you there.' That's the one call I wish I could have got." – Robert Gaddy
- "It's hard to even imagine the shoes he was walking in. Steven was an introvert; he didn't come out and talk a lot about what was happening inside of him." – Mitchell Williams
- "He always had a minute for everybody. He understood that he was in a unique position and that how he was approached by people, it meant a lot. He understood exactly what his role was." – Brad Hopkins
- "He was like a linebacker playing quarterback." – Michael Strahan
- "The buzz in the city [of Houston] was so high…People were cheering. They wanted to see what Steve McNair could do and he didn't let people down." – Chris Sanders
Below is the remaining broadcast schedule for A Football Life, airing on Wednesday nights at 8:00 PM ET:
October 24 – Eddie DeBartolo
October 31 – Chris Spielman
November 7 – Jimmy Johnson
November 21 – John Riggins
December 5 – Barry Sanders
December 12 – Marcus Allen
December 19 – The Immaculate Reception
Airing throughout the NFL season, A Football Life examines the iconic individuals and subjects that have had an undeniable and profound impact on the history of the National Football League, offering an inside look into their untold stories.
Every episode of A Football Life and all NFL Network programming is streamed live on NFL Mobile from Verizon, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
NFL Network airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis and is the only television network fully dedicated to the NFL and the sport of football. For more information, log on to www.nfl.com/nflnetwork. NFL.com is the exclusive internet home of NFL Network.
