Details trickled out of Tennessee late Saturday about the death of quarterback Steve McNair, a onetime NFL co-most valuable player who, along with a female companion, was found shot in a Nashville condominium.
Police said McNair, 36, a retired Tennessee Titans star, was found on a sofa and had suffered multiple gunshot wounds, whereas 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi had one to the head. A pistol was found near her body.
According to the Tennessean newspaper's website, police are treating the case as a possible murder-suicide.
The website also said authorities towed away a black Cadillac Escalade that likely was involved in a traffic incident two days earlier. Kazemi was behind the wheel of an SUV of that description two days earlier, when she was charged with driving under the influence and refusing to take a breath test. McNair and Kazemi were registered as co-owners of the vehicle.
Police spokesman Don Aaron told the Associated Press that McNair's wife, Mechelle, is "very distraught" and authorities do not believe she was involved.
The emerging details of McNair's death stood in stark contrast to the rich recollections of his life.
"I have been talking about Steve McNair for years, because he was the face of our team," former teammate Brad Hopkins said. "His worth and what he meant to us as players, it's almost immeasurable. Historically, he is recognized as 'Titans football' and always will be."
The third overall draft pick by the Houston Oilers in 1995, McNair threw for 27,141 yards for the Oilers/Titans, second in club history to Warren Moon. The onetime Alcorn State star nicknamed "Air McNair" is the franchise's all-time leader in completion percentage, 59.5%; ranks second in completions, 2,305, and attempts, 3,871; and third in touchdowns, 156.
Moreover, he was remembered as a friend to teammates and coaches alike.
Once, when Norm Chow -- then Titans offensive coordinator -- off-handedly complimented him on his golf shirt, McNair had Nike deliver his coach two dozen of them.
"He was a very thoughtful guy," Chow said. "The players really responded to him and liked him."
The Baltimore Ravens, with whom McNair spent his final two seasons, tried to get a comment from All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis. However, team officials said Lewis was "having a tough time dealing with the news."
