Steve McNair Dead

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was shot multiple times, including once in the head, and a pistol was discovered near the body of the 20-year-old woman found dead with him Saturday in a downtown condominium.

Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron identified the woman as Sahel Kazemi, whom he called a "friend" of McNair's. She had a single gunshot wound to the head.

Police said the 36-year-old McNair was found on the sofa in the living room, and Kazemi was very close to him on the floor. Aaron said the gun was not "readily apparent" when police first arrived.

Autopsies were planned for Sunday.

Aaron said McNair's wife, Mechelle, is "very distraught."

"At this juncture, we do not believe she is involved," he said. "Nothing has been ruled out, but as far as actively looking for a suspect tonight, the answer would be no."

The bodies were discovered Saturday afternoon by McNair's longtime friend Wayne Neeley, who rents the condo with McNair.

Aaron said Neeley told authorities he went into the condo, saw McNair on the sofa and Kazemi on the floor but walked first into the kitchen before going back into the living room, where he saw the blood.

Story continues below

advertisement

Neeley then called a friend, who alerted authorities.

Police said a witness saw McNair arrive at the condo between 1:30 and 2 a.m. Saturday and that Kazemi's vehicle was already there.

Two days ago, Nashville police arrested Kazemi on a DUI charge while driving a 2007 Escalade registered to her and McNair. McNair was in the front seat, but didn't break the law and was allowed to leave by taxi.

The arrest affidavit said Kazemi had bloodshot eyes and the smell of alcohol on her breath, but refused a breathalyzer test, saying "she was not drunk, she was high."

Police remained at the condo Saturday night after the bodies were removed, but most of the bystanders had gone home.

Fred McNair, Steve McNair's oldest brother, said some family members likely will travel to Nashville on Monday to consult with Steve McNair's wife.

"It's still kind of hard to believe," Fred McNair said. "He was the greatest person in the world. He gave back to the community. He loved kids and he wanted to be a role model to kids."

He said he did not know who Kazemi was.

Fred McNair said his brother just finished a football camp for teenagers on June 25 in Hattiesburg, Miss.

No funeral arrangements have been made.

___

Associated Press Writer Emily Wagster Pettus in Mount Olive, Miss. contributed to this report.

Comments

[tmj]

My heart hurts for his children and wife. I hope married men and the women they are involved with are waking up and realizing the pain they are inflicting on innocent family members. Even if you are separated or told the other person is separated.­......step out of the situation. These situations NEVER end well. Anyone with a conscience will do the right thing.

[motoGpifupleez]

Another shooting story in America.
The most common story there is.

[twogunmojo]

not nearly as common as adultery...

[Thumbody]

Tragic story my heart goes out to the innocent loved ones, listening to ESPN yesterday they discussed how he should be in the hall of fame. It got me thinking it is time to establish a hall of shame for the modern day athelete, the current hall of fame requires integrity and needs to be protected. Is it right to glorify and worship atheletes who cheat, do drugs, have criminal records and have other flaws of character? What kind of message does it send to the youth of america? Describe these atheletes for who they are and don't sugar coat their ill gotten gains.

[tyger]

People have a right to live their own lives. I prefer we monitor folks who assault or kill more closely than cheaters. That's between the hubby and wife and it has nothing to do with his job unless a priest. I do not believe you take a job oath not to screw around on your wife. This is why people are so sneaky now days. Cheating was more rampant and accepted in the 17-1800. One was supposed to be discreet. People read more history and know some things are human nature.

[MeltedBrownSugar]

Further, monogamy wasn't even expected until fairly recently. When it was expected, it was expected of women only. It's so strange how old world folks were somewhat more realistic about relationships and sexuality(at least concerning men) than many people are today.

[ebanks84]

Another American tragedy that smells! May McNair rest in peace. I'm not even going to speculate on what could have happened here, but I'm sure it's not going to be nice.

[ResistanceisFutile]

If you don't think Steve McNair was tough as nails, just ask Ray Lewis!

[HarrysLeSabre]

RIP Steve McNair. A great QB and tough as nails competitor. An inspiration, even, to minority athletes.


However, this is a cautionary tale. The guy had a wife and children. And an employee who drove a car registered in his name. He visits with her @ 1:30-2:00 a.m.

He dies of multiple gunshots, she of a single wound. Gun not immediately found and police say they are not actively looking for suspects.

Those same kids looking up to him should also recognize the dangers of fame and money. They go hand in hand.

[maryyooch]

I live in Nashville and Steve McNair will be greatly missed. He was a good man with good values. He never forgot where he came from. He always gave back to our community. He was loved. He also was a true role model for kids and adults alike.

We already miss you, Steve. Our love and prayers go out to your family at this very sad time.

[flapjack]

"He was a good man with good values" I guess his good values also included having a little something on the side?

[jcwtts1]

Steve Air McNair ushered in the era of the black quarterback. There have always been hurdles in the way of black men playing certain positions in football. The two biggest ones are quarterback and middle linebacker. These two positions are cerebral, the thinking mans position, the position where you have to have more heart than athleticism. And for generations blacks were told they didn't have the fortitude the intellectual capabilities etc., for them. That is the reason McNair went to a small division 1aa college instead of a place like Michigan or Penn State. They wanted to move him to receiver, or dback. It happened a lot until McNair. He almost won the Heisman from 1AA, he was drafted second or third overall and instantly made the face of his franchise. The face of the franchise is a billion dollar position, not in what you make but in what the team invests in you. McNair opened that door for black football players and for black quarterbacks. McNabb, Cullpepper, Vick (before the dog fighting) Vince Young, JaMarcus Russell, Jason Campbell, a ton of guys owe the opportunity they got to guys like McNair. He McNair hadn't been successful would Andy Reid have taken a shot on McNabb at number 2? McNabb has dominate the NFC for a decade, that is directly attributable to McNair making it and succeding. I'm sorry for his loss, and I hope the next generation of black quarterbacks understands who and what he was.

Peace,

J

[thinkb4uleapII]

To take nothing away from Steve McNair, I suggest that Doug Williams deserves a lot of credit for blazing the trail long before any of the QB's you mentioned.

[AFAN]

I would like to add HOF QB Warren Moon to that catagory.

[VoodooDoll]

Funny-- I heard someone say that McNair was the first black quarterback to go to the Superbowl.I thought "Wrong!"

[jcwtts1]

Doug Williams is the first, and only, black quarterback to start and win a Superbowl. His place as well as Randal Cunningham, who arrived as a direct result of Williams's success, are part and parcel of McNair's success. Williams, though he won a Superbowl, wasn't the dominate, face of the franchise that McNair was. Williams and Joe Gulliam are the start of what we now experience.

[HamletsMill]

Very well said. Every word is true.

[HarrysLeSabre]

Marlin Briscoe, James Harris, Joe Gilliam, Warren Moon, Doug Williams and Randall Cunningham all came before McNair.

Most of these guys had very successful careers.

[qdog112]

As a McNair fan and a livelong Houston Oilers/Titans fan, I must say that AIR did not usher, but that he was ushered. The heavy lifting was done many years before. The black QB has been my hero throughout my lifetime as I grew up being the first black high school QB in the state of NC in the the post segregation era.(outside West Charlotte and Second Ward - remained all black) I played in a 4A conference dominated by Charlotte - Mecklenburg schools. '69-'71

That being said, the ground work was laid by Fritz Pollard, but people like Marlin Briscoe, James Harris, Joe Gilliam, Doug Williams and Warren Moon did way more for opening the door than Air can be credited for doing. Taking nothing away from him, he was not even close to being first or having the greatest impact.

Finally, my sympathy to the family and may Air McNair rest in peace.

[ApolloniaCreed]

His WIFE and family must be devastated! How sad...

[sysmgr1345]

As a Nashvillian you couldn't help but love this guy. Looks like he got tied up with the wrong person. I haven't found an article that says if a weapon was found at the crime scene. Has anyone seen any info on that?

[sysmgr1345]

never mind

[Malkin71]

I read somewhere that they found the gun, but...not right away.

From the article, it implies that the gun was under her body.

[k6007]

--- Aaron said the gun was not "readily apparent" when police first arrived.---

from the article, above.

[Lurker50]

...and a pistol was discovered near the body of the 20-year-old woman...per this article

[dochemlock]

Yes one was. Close to the womans body who died from a single gunshot wound. You can connect the dots as you like. It's sad and he was great and he'll be missed.

[amorvincitomnia]

This is so sad...my heart goes out to the familes.

[Chicago48]

This is a weird month. Be glad when June/July is over with, bring on August.

[drbillybob]

"The arrest affidavit said Kazemi had bloodshot eyes and the smell of alcohol on her breath, but refused a breathalyzer test, saying "she was not drunk, she was high." "

... yup, that usually works.

[drbillybob]

McNair was a good guy. Never really liked the spotlight, no possy, just a simple guy who liked to go back and fish in his hometown during the offseason. Helped out bigtime after Katrina too (with Bret Favre).

On the footbal side, he was a great competitior and almost single-handedly shattered the image of black QBs as primarily running QBs. This guy evolved into a great pocket passer.

Yup, Steve McNair will be missed greatly.

[Stew118]

at alcorn st. he was known at "Air McNair" for a reason- he was a great pocket passer in college (I saw him throw for like 600 yards one game) and he actually developed into more of a scrambling quarterback in the NFL...

More than just a pro he was a great human being who was humble and committed to helping people with less opportunities than he had. The hurt from this loss is going to be very profound both inside and outside the league..

[StephenJK]

Man, what a brutal couple weeks.

Steve McNair was arguably, well, no, not arguably, the toughest quarterback to step on the football field. NEVER any drama from him. A good leader. He had some issues just like everyone does in different ways. A very sad day. Almost as sad as it was shocking.

STOP THE VIOLENCE!

RIP Steve McNair