Five memorable Steve McNair moments

Today would have been Steve McNair’s 40th birthday.

Here’s a look at five of McNair’s most memorable games from his playing days with Titans:

RAMS 23, TITANS 16

Date: January 30, 2000

Site: Super Bowl XXXIV, Georgia Dome

The Titans got the ball with only 1:54 remaining on the clock, in need of a touchdown to tie the game and force overtime.

McNair did all he could, putting a drive together that earned him respect around the league, while giving a sign of things to come.

McNair drove the Titans down the field. Then, with 22 seconds remaining and facing a 3rd-and-5 at the St. Louis 26-yard line, McNair scrambled and escaped the grasp of two Rams, including defensive end Kevin Carter, to complete a pass to receiver Kevin Dyson.

The 16-yard completion to Dyson put the ball at the St. Louis 10 with five seconds left, and the Titans took their last time out. But his final completion to Dyson was stopped at the one-yard line.

TITANS 32, N.Y. GIANTS 29 (OT)

Date: December 1, 2002

Site: The Meadowlands, New Jersey

Leading up to this one, McNair didn’t practice all week because of a rib injury. In warm-ups, he threw just a few passes but had to stop because of the pain.

But on a blustery December day at the Meadowlands, McNair went out and threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns as the Titans put up a furious rally to beat the Giants in overtime, 32-29. McNair winced in pain as he crossed the goal line on a two-point conversion to tie the contest at 29-29 with just nine seconds left, and he had to switch the football from his right hand to his left hand so he could raise it into the air in celebration because the pain-killing shot on the right side had worn off.

TITANS 23, STEELERS 20

Date: September 24, 2000

Site: Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh

No one gave McNair much of a chance to play after he was knocked out of the previous game against Kansas City with a bruised sternum.

McNair watched from the sideline in a baseball cap until Neil O’Donnell was knocked out with a concussion with just over two minutes left. But McNair stepped in and was 3-for-3 for 55 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end Erron Kinney in the closing moments that gave the Titans a 23-20 lead, and the win.

TITANS 38, TEXANS 17

Date: October 12, 2003

Site: The Coliseum

In his co-MVP season, this was McNair’s best game.

He threw for a career-high 421 yards and three touchdowns in the contest, drawing a standing ovation from the home crowd as Coach Jeff Fisher sent back-up quarterback Billy Volek in to handle the game’s final snap.

McNair threw all three touchdowns to receiver Derrick Mason, and maxed out with a 158.3 quarterback rating in the first half, completing 12 straight passes during one stretch. He ended with a QB rating of 146.8.

TITANS 27, TEXANS 24

Date: December 21, 2003

Site: Reliant Stadium, Houston

On a day when the Titans clinched a playoff berth, McNair broke the hearts of Texans fans in Houston when he guided the team to a 27-24 victory.

The game-winning touchdown came on a 4th-and-10 from the Houston 23. That’s when McNair dropped back and found receiver Drew Bennett open in the back of the end zone, capping a gutsy, last-minute drive.

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Posted In: League News, Team News

Source: Titans Insider

RIP Air McNair, you're still loved by many.

Guys don't play hurt like he did anymore. Miss him.

definitely missed and this team hasn't been the same or as good as when he was here.

I actually got that "ole feeling" back reading those clips. I remember my son (5 year old then- wow) and I were jumping on the furniture watching McNair "tuck and run" the comeback win against the Giants. Great memories.

Damn, I remember that Steelers game.

Another Steelers game is the playoff game where they had to cut the skin off his thumb when he banged it on a helmet. The Nedney-acting game.

There will never be another. RIP to the legend.

Air mac-9 was one and million. Workout-QB. Now days a hangnail keeps a QB out 2-3 weeks. Mac played with a broke thumb vs Indy I think it was, broke it during the game. Miss that guy.

Not on there but there was a game where he was 15/16 with 3 touchdowns and a 10.1 AVG (Locker lives in the 6-7 range), near perfect rating.

Wasn't that the Texan game?