With all due respect to Calvin Pace, the biggest news in the football world over the weekend was the death of former Oilers, Titans and Ravens quarterback Steve McNair. Several Jets knew McNair.
"Steve was special and as tough and competitive of a guy that I have ever been around," said Jets head coach Rex ryan, who served as the Ravens' defensive coordinator during McNair's B-more tenure. "As soon as we got him in Baltimore, he gave our team instant confidence and I was fortunate to be around him for two seasons. As great of a player as he was, it was more of an honor to know him as a person. My heart and prayers go out to his family."
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"I am in utter disbelief. Steve always came to work with a smile and a joy about him," said Jets LB Bart Scott, a teammate of McNair's with the Ravens. "I remember him as a dad that brought his kids to the facility and we all embraced them as our own. Not only will Steve’s family miss him, but the entire NFL family has lost a brother. His death was far too early and my thoughts and prayers are with his family."
I remember being at one of McNair's first starts in 1996. It was the game Neil O'Donnell got injured in pregame warmups. McNair made it yet another painful day to be a Jets fan in the Kotite Era.
He was one of my favorite players. You can't help but admire a guy with that much toughness. It seemed like he was always dealing with some painful injury. By the end of a season, there were times he couldn't even practice, but he played at a high level every Sunday. This was really just shellshocking news.