MVP Quarterback Steve McNair Laid to Rest

MVP quarterback Steve McNair, 36, who was killed in Nashville on the Fourth of July in a murder-suicide by 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi, was laid to rest in a shining silver casket, covered in white flowers, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

His funeral was held at the Reed Green Coliseum on the University of Southern Mississippi campus and was filled with over 5,000 of McNairs friends and family there to say goodbye for the final time. Besides of course McNair’s wife, Mechelle, his sons and his mother, Lucille, also there were Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, NFL quarterbacks Brett Favre, Vince Young, and Jay Cutler, and Titans Coach Jeff Fisher.

During the memorial, Ray Lewis stood to talk about how he had made a promise to McNair when the two became teammates in Baltimore in 2006 — a promise to visit Mississippi. Lewis finally made it, and he was overwhelmed.

Lewis said:

“I find myself in awe when I speak about a man like Steve McNair.  I find myself in awe when I find I get to speak in the place where it all started from.”

Titans Vince Young also spoke saying:

“Steve was like a hero to me and heroes are not supposed to die.”

“I used to walk, talk and try to be like Steve every day.  And to see you all sitting right there, my brothers, I want to let you know I am here … if you need me for anything, the same thing he did for me, I am here for you all.”

So sad.  Our hearts are with his friends and family during this difficult time.