Air McNair retires

Professional football is losing another great Mississippian. Steve "Air" McNair announced his retirement yesterday. He's some of the article from the Clarion-Ledger.

Mississippian Steve McNair retired Thursday from the Baltimore Ravens, sending a quarterbacking career that included an NFL co-MVP award, a Super Bowl appearance and a third-place finish in the 1994 Heisman Trophy balloting.

His highlight-filled career, which may be Hall of Fame worthy, almost never began.

Lucille McNair raised five boys in Mount Olive, with Steve the second youngest. Football was not in her game plan.

"It was a dangerous sport to me," Lucille McNair said. "They were the ones that decided they wanted to play football. After they started, I supported them.

"I knew I couldn't stop them. During that time I was working at night and they were (sneaking off) to play. I told them ... long as you keep your grades up."

His schoolwork in order, McNair attended Alcorn State University and tantalized the nation as one of the most prolific college players in history.

Then as a Tennessee Titan he came up short in one of the most memorable Super Bowl games ever, losing 23-16 to the St. Louis Rams on Jan. 30, 2000, when receiver Kevin Dyson was tackled on the 1-yard line on the game's final play after catching a pass thrown by McNair.