Jeff Fisher and Vince Young react to McNair's death
Jeff Fisher was on his way back from the Persian Gulf for the NFL-USO Tour when he heard that his former quarterback Steve McNair had been shot and killed on Saturday. Fisher has been the Oilers'/Titans' head coach the last 15 seasons, including 11 with McNair.
“I am deeply saddened and at this point do not have the words to describe this loss,’’ Fisher told Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean while sitting in an airport in Kuwait. “It is an extremely emotional moment and I don’t have the words to explain how I am feeling. I ask people to please pray for Mechelle and the entire McNair family. This is a tragic moment for his family, and it is a tragic moment for anyone who knew and loved Steve.’’
Fisher, who cited McNair as one of his favorite players, was notified of the quarterback's death by former Titans running back Eddie George.
Current Titans QB Vince Young, who idolized McNair as a kid, was also out of the country when he received the news. He released a statement through the team earlier today.
“I'm still in shock since hearing the news,’’ Young said. “I spent all afternoon and night thinking about my life on and off the field with 'Pops.’ Since I was a teenager, he was like a father to me. I hear his advice in my head with everything I do. Life will be very different without him.
“My thoughts and prayers are with (his wife) Mechelle, the kids and the entire McNair family during this horrible time.”
Young was introduced to McNair when he was a teenager because his uncle played basketball at Alcorn State the same time McNair played football at the school. The two spoke on a regular basis.
Click below for the reactions of former Oilers QB Warren Moon and Titans safety Blaine Bishop to The Tennessean.
-Chris Mascaro
(Getty Images photo)
From Moon, who preceded McNair as the Oilers' QB: “Steve and I had a mutually respected friendship. He was one of the great warriors to ever put on a football uniform at any position. His competitiveness and toughness were unparalleled. He was always a gentlemen, and very giving off the field. One of the great people in our league was taken from us way to soon. My thoughts and prayers go out to the McNair Family, and all who knew him.”
From Bishop, McNair's teammate of seven seasons: “Yesterday was a sad day for all of us as former teammates and for the Titans organization. Steve was an absolute warrior as a player and brought that mindset to the team. Whether he was hurt or not, he was going to give us everything he had. He was the toughest player that I ever played with during my time in the league and a great man off the field — always giving. He was just a good country boy who was always laughing and smiling. Yesterday reinforced for me the fragility of life. My heart goes out to his family.
“The thing I will always remember about him was whether it was a good or bad on the field, the whole team — both offense and defense — believed he would lead us to victory if we could just get the ball in his hands at the end of the game. His leadership skills spoke for themselves and you see everyone that has talked about him touched on that aspect of his game. He will be missed.”
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