Former NFL Quarterback McNair Killed In Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair and

a woman were found shot to death Saturday afternoon inside a

condominium in downtown Nashville, police said.

Police spokesman Don Aaron said authorities were still

investigating the shootings and that no suspects were in custody.

"I don't have any answers for you now as to what's happened,

who's responsible," Aaron said.

Aaron said the 36-year-old McNair died of a gunshot wound to the

head. He said police tentatively identified the woman, but did not

release her name.

"There are persons who were around the complex today, visitors,

who have been taken to headquarters for questioning, just to see

what they know, what they may have seen," he said.

Aaron said officers went to the scene after receiving a call

about injured persons inside the condo.

"When police officers arrived in response to that call, they

found two individuals who had been shot to death inside the

residence," he said.

The condominium is one that McNair was known to frequent, but

police spokeswoman Kristin Mumford said she didn't know if he was

the owner.

McNair played 13 seasons in the NFL and led the Titans within a

yard of forcing overtime in the 2000 Super Bowl, which they lost

23-16 to the St. Louis Rams. He also played for the Baltimore

Ravens before retiring in April 2008.

"We don't know the details, but it is a terrible tragedy and

our hearts go out to the families involved," NFL commissioner

Roger Goodell said in a statement.

"We are saddened and shocked to hear the news of Steve McNair's

passing today," Titans owner Bud Adams said in a statement. "He

was one of the finest players to play for our organization and one

of the most beloved players by our fans. He played with

unquestioned heart and leadership and led us to places that we had

never reached, including our only Super Bowl."

About 50 people crowded just beyond police tape outside the

complex in the upscale Rutledge Hill neighborhood, some wearing

Titans hats. The condominium is located within walking distance of

an area filled with restaurants and nightspots, a few blocks from

the Cumberland River and within view of the Titans' stadium.

McNair began his career in 1995 with the Houston Oilers, who

eventually became the Titans, and finished with 31,304 yards

passing and 174 touchdowns. McNair played with pain for several

years, and the injuries ultimately forced him to retire.

McNair's most noted drive was the final one of the 2000 Super

Bowl. He drove the Titans 87 yards in the final minute, 48 seconds,

only to come up a yard short of the tying touchdown. Kevin Dyson

caught his 9-yard pass, but was tackled at the 1-yard line by the

Rams' Mike Jones.

McNair accounted for all of Tennessee's yards in that drive,

throwing for 48 yards and rushing for 14. The rest of the yardage

came on penalties against the Rams. Before that, he brought the

Titans back from a 16-0 deficit to tie the game.

"The people who didn't know Steve McNair before will know him

now," Tennessee tight end Frank Wycheck said after the game. "Did

you see that desire? Did you see that heart?"

During a five-game stretch at the end of the 2002 season, McNair

was so bruised he couldn't practice. But he started all five games

and won them, leading the Titans to an 11-5 finish and a berth in

the AFC championship game for the second time in four seasons.

McNair played all 16 games in 2006, his first season in

Baltimore, and guided the Ravens to a 13-3 record. But he injured

his groin during the season opener last season and never regained

the form that enabled him to earn a berth in four Pro Bowls.

"I am deeply saddened to learn of today's tragic news regarding

the death of Steve McNair. He was a player who I admired a great

deal," said New England Patriots senior football adviser Floyd

Reese, who was GM of the Titans when McNair played there. "He was

a tremendous leader and an absolute warrior. He felt like it was

his responsibility to lead by working hard every day, no matter

what.

"I don't think there was a player who played with him or

against him that didn't look up to him and respect him," Reese

said. "My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, his friends

and the many teammates who loved and admired him."

Titans coach Jeff Fisher was out of the country, taking part in

the first NFL-USO coaches tour to Iraq.

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By KRISTIN M. HALL - Associated Press Writer

AP Sports Writer Teresa Walker and Associated Press Writer

Randall Paul Dickerson contributed to this report.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)