Steve McNair Retires After 13 Seasons

 

“There is no greater warrrior or player with a bigger heart than Steve McNair. He came into this game and gave it everything he had. He can now walk away with his head held high”  -Ray Lewis

One of the NFL’s toughest decided to call it a career today.

Baltimore Ravens QB and 2003 NFL Co-MVP Steve McNair announced his retirement from the league in a 1:00 press confrence at the Ravens’ Owing Mills, MD headquarters. McNair basically said his body and mind were not in agreement; that mentally he could return for one more year but his body had enough.

McNair joins Fran Tarkenton and Steve Young as the only quarterbacks that passed for more than 30,000 yards and rushed for more than  3,500 yards during their careers.

While those numbers were impressive, Steve McNair will be remembered first and foremost as one of the toughest men in NFL history. In his 13 year career, McNair made 80 appereances on the injured list. McNair’s former Titans teammate, Eddie George said that “You name an injury, Steve had it and he still showed up. Not only did he show up but he played extremely well.”

Right now, the Baltimore Ravens will have to find a way to fill the void left behind by Air McNair. Mel Kiper and Co are talking about Matt Ryan possibly falling to the number 8 spot or Baltimore trading up.  Another name beign thrown around in the mix is Delaware QB Joe Flacco. While the Kyle Boller experiment was a bust, I believe Troy Smith is capable of making a huge push for starter. Then again, there is always free agency.