NASHVILLE – When quarterback Marcus Mariota was drafted by the Titans back in 2015, it didn't take him long to find out about another QB: Steve McNair.
Mariota had watched McNair from afar, as a youngster growing up in Hawaii.
When he arrived in Nashville, he found out a whole lot more.
"It is cool to really know more about him and learn more about him as I have been here the last few years," Mariota said of McNair. "Just being around the city, fans, ever since I got here, made it a point to just let me know who he was. I can appreciate that, and it just shows how much he meant to this team and to the city.
"Steve really was somebody that played through pain, played through a lot of things. On top of that he was a great player as well. It is easy to sit there and when everything is going right to kind of be the face of the franchise, but he was the guy that no matter what stuck through it."
McNair played 11 seasons with the club (1995–2005), becoming its second all-time leading passer (27,141 yards) and recording more wins as a starter (76) than any other franchise quarterback.
McNair, who played from 1995-2005 with the Oilers/Titans, set team records and accumulated the most wins of any quarterback in Titans/Oilers history. He led Tennessee's famous drive that ended up a yard short of forcing overtime in Super Bowl XXXIV, was a four-time Pro Bowler, and he was co-MVP of the NFL with Colts quarterback Peyton Manning in 2003. McNair finished his career with 31,304 yards passing and 174 touchdowns.
Mariota, in his fifth NFL season, on Wednesday was asked about playing in McNair's shadow.
"I really don't try and think about that," Mariota said. "Because then you sit there and try to compare what you've done to what he did and how he really handled himself. So I just focus on trying to be the best version of myself."
McNair's No.9 jersey will be retired during a halftime ceremony during Sunday's home opener against the Indianapolis Colts. On the same day, the Titans will also retire jersey No. 27 for running back Eddie George.
Mariota said it should be a special day.
"It is pretty cool," Mariota said. "It is going to be an awesome deal (for McNair) on Sunday, as well as Eddie. It is well-deserved and I think it is pretty cool for them. Sunday is going to be really cool."
Titans Online looks back at franchise legends Eddie George and Steve McNair in Super Bowl XXXIV. (AP Photos)
Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George (27) takes the handoff from quarterback Steve McNair (9) 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 running back Eddie George, left, playfully "chokes" Titans quarterback Steve McNair during Super Bowl XXXIV Media Day activities at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2000. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
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)
Cheerleaders and teammates greet Tennessee Titan running back Eddie George (27) at the SB XXXIV pre-game introductions in Atlanta on Jan. 30, 2000. (Al Messerschmidt 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)
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)
Running back Eddie George (27) of the Tennessee Titans rushes against the St Louis Rams at Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta January 30, 2000. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George (27) 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 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 running back Eddie George (27) drives through St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Jeff Zgonina (90) for a fourth quarter two-yard touchdown during Super Bowl XXXIV at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
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 running back Eddie George (27) carries the ball during Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23-16 St. Louis Rams victory on January 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George (27) carries the ball during Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23-16 St. Louis Rams victory January 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
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 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 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 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George (27) takes the handoff from quarterback Steve McNair (9) 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 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) carries the ball during Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 St. Louis Rams victory January 30, 2000 , at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
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 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 quarterback Steve McNair (9) is sacked 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)
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) rushes 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) congratulates running back Eddie George 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) 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) 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) 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), hands off during the first quarter of Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta, Sunday Jan.30, 2000. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
FILE - In this Jan. 30, 2000 file photo, Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair rolls out of the pocket during the second quarter against the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta. McNair, who led the Tennessee Titans within a yard of forcing overtime in the 2000 Superbowl and led the Baltimore Ravens to the playoffs, has been shot and killed on Saturday, July 4, 2009. Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron confirmed that police were called to a residence and found McNair and a woman shot to death inside. Aaron said authorities don't yet know the circumstances of the shooting. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) avoids a tackle from St. Louis Rams line backer London Fletcher (59) 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 scrambles past St. Louis Rams linebacker Todd Collins (54) to the 2-yard line in the third quarter of the Super Bowl on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
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) looks downfield 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 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 quarterback Steve McNair (9) fires a pass 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) 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 Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) looks downfield 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) releases a pass during Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 St. Louis Rams victory January 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) celebrates a touchdown carry by running back Eddie George during Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 St. Louis Rams victory over the Titans on Jan. 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tennessee Titan quarterback Steve McNair (9) rolls out to pass against the St Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta on January 30, 2000. (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 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)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) looks to pass the ball during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. (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 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 quarterback Steve McNair (9) talks to tight end Frank Wycheck (89) and wide receiver Derrick Mason (85) 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 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)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) looks to pass the ball during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. (Allen Kee 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 quarterback Steve McNair (9) reacts after a play during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) tries to escape the grasp of St. Louis Rams defensive end Kevin Carter (93) 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 January 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) changes the play at the line during 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)
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)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) 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 (9) 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 (9) avoids a tackle from St. Louis Rams line backer London Fletcher (59) 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) runs the ball trying to avoid St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Ray Agnew (99) 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) fires a pass 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) celebrates after a touchdown against the St Louis Rams at Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta on January 30, 2000. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George sits dejectedly on the bench after the Titans lost Super Bowl XXXIV to the St. Louis Rams 23-16 Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George sits dejectedly on the bench as confetti rains down after the St. Louis Rams beat the Titans 23-16 to win Super Bowl XXXIV Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
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 Jan. 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. (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)
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)
BE A PART OF HISTORY
This Sunday, September 15 will be a special day as the Titans retire QB Steve McNair's No. 9 jersey and RB Eddie George's No. 27 jersey during halftime of the team's home opener vs the Indianapolis Colts.
Don't miss this amazing day in franchise history!
