Steve MCNair

Steve LaTreal McNair was born February 14, 1973 to Ms. Lucille McNair in the small rural community of Mt. Pleasant, (in Mt. Olive) Mississippi—population of approximately 100. He was raised in a single-parent household with his four brothers--Fred, Tim, Jason, and Michael ("Doc")--by his mother who worked a factory graveyard shift to provide for her family. Ms. McNair not only worked hard to provide for her family but strived to instill in them certain values such as hard work, perseverance, honesty and integrity. When Steve was very young, Fred, the oldest of the McNair boys, became the man of the house / father-figure for Steve and his brothers. He made certain that everyone did their homework and farm chores as well as bathing and brushing their teeth before bedtime. Fred was also the one Steve turned to for advice on everything from choosing a college to deciding which sport to play since he was an All-Star athlete in four sports. Steve once said he owed Fred everything...and that he (Fred) was "forced to grow up too quickly" by having to help raise his brothers.

Steve grew up performing farm chores from before daylight until after dark. This (most times) included “catching” food for supper and helping his grandmother, Ms. Hattie Fray, prepare it (which is likely why Steve enjoys and excels in cooking today). He and his brothers also performed odd jobs including mowing yards in the summertime to help their mom with the bills.

Steve McNair attended Mt. Olive High School where he was an outstanding athlete excelling in several sports—track, basketball, baseball, and, of course, football. He received “All State” honors in all of these sports. He played shortstop and outfield for the baseball team, conquered the point guard position in basketball, ran long and short distance races as well as competed in the long jump in track, and terrorized competitors at both offense (quarterback) and defense (defensive back) in football. Upon graduation Steve was drafted by the Seattle Mariners professional baseball organization, but after much discussion and guidance from his mother, Lucille, and big brother, Fred, he decided to pursue his true love of football. His next major decision related to football was his choice of college. He was pursued by many large colleges including Louisiana State, Miami, Ohio State, Nebraska, and Mississippi State, however they all wanted him to play defensive back; Steve was determined to be a quarterback. So, once again, leaning on his mom’s and older brother Fred’s advice, he signed with Alcorn State (located in Lorman, Mississippi) where he was guaranteed a shot at the quarterback position. He would actually be following in Fred’s footsteps as he had played quarterback for Alcorn as well. The McNair family has no lack of athletic ability. As previously stated, Fred (the original Air McNair) also quarterbacked for Alcorn putting up impressive stats himself. Fred would also enjoy ten (10) successful years in the Arena Football League playing for Albany, Florida, Carolina and Buffalo. Another McNair brother, Tim, was Steve's craftiest wide receiver in their years together at Alcorn. Eventually, Steve would borrow Fred's nickname to become “Air McNair” II.

* married to wife, Mechelle, 6-21-97 with four sons, Junior, Steven, Tyler, and Trenton
* Height: 6 ft. 2 in., Weight: 230 lbs.
* spends his time between homes in Nashville and Mt. Olive
* likes to fish, hunt, and cook
* friend and mentor to University of Texas star-turned Tennessee Titan quarterback Vince Young whom he (Vince) calls "Pops"
* raised by his mother, Lucille, with four brothers, Fred, Tim, Jason, and Michael
* brother, Fred, also a quarterback for Alcorn, played 10 years as QB in the Arena Football League (playing with Albany, Florida, Carolina and Buffalo)
* brother, Tim, also played with Steve at Alcorn (wide receiver)
* cousin, Brandon McDonald, is a cornerback and punt returner for the Cleveland Browns
* remains a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity--the “Omega Man” (tattooed on his arm) references his fraternity with arm gestures after every touchdown