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Date Posted: 21:59:49 08/01/09 Sat
Author: asd
Subject: Re: sf
In reply to: as 's message, "Re: sf" on 21:55:53 08/01/09 Sat

>>>>>>>>>ONE yard. A measly three feet--36 inches--a
>mere
>>>>>>baby
>>>>>>>>>step for Steve McNair.
>>>>>>>>>Butdfg it's that scant distance which proved to
>>>be
>>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>longest yard for the Tennessee Titans star
>>>>>>>quarterback
>>>>>>>>>as the world watched his team come up one yard
>>>>>short
>>>>>>>>>on a last-second-tying touchdown in Super Bowl
>>>>>>XXXIV.
>>>>>>>>>After the game, after the media was gone, after
>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>on-field celebration by the St. Louis Rams had
>>>>>>>>>subsided, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound Pro Bowler
>>>cried
>>>>>>>>>like a baby. And to this day--even as the
>>>>>>32-year-old
>>>>>>>>>relaxes with his family in their magnificent
>>>>>>>Nashville
>>>>>>>>>home, and he finds himself in the midst of
>>>another
>>>>>>>>>football season--that game continues to haunt
>>>him.
>>>>>>>>>"It's always going to be there," McNair says.
>"I
>>>>>>>don't
>>>>>>>>>care how many people say that they don't think
>>>>>about
>>>>>>>>>it, you always replay it in your mind. I think
>>>>>about
>>>>>>>>>how sad and how bad I was feeling. It was a low
>>>>>>point
>>>>>>>>>in my career because I think that we had a
>>chance
>>>>>to
>>>>>>>>>win the game if we would have gotten that yard
>>>and
>>>>>>>>>went into overtime. The one yard short still
>>>hurts
>>>>>>>>>because I haven't been back. It will never go
>>>away
>>>>>>>>>until I get back to the Super Bowl. And not
>only
>>>>>get
>>>>>>>>>back, but win. That's a motivating factor for
>>>me."
>>>>>>>>>If anybody can go the extra yard and slay the
>>>>>ghosts
>>>>>>>>>of a Super Bowl past, it's McNair. Having grown
>>>up
>>>>>>>>>dirt-poor in Mississippi, McNair's life and
>>>career
>>>>>>>are
>>>>>>>>>filled with stories of succeeding against the
>>>>odds,
>>>>>>>>>triumph over adversity. In 11 seasons in the
>>NFL,
>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>devoted husband and father of four sons has
>>>>>>>>>accomplished feats--on and off the field--that
>>>few
>>>>>>>>>thought he would.
>>>>>>>>>In fact, with all of his accomplishments (which
>>>>>>>>>include being the league's co-MVP in 2003, and
>>>>>>>>>becoming only the fifth player in NFL history
>to
>>>>>>pass
>>>>>>>>>for 20,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards), and
>>>>all
>>>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>>his setbacks (including a myriad of injuries
>and
>>>>>>>>>surgeries to repair his toe, ankle, knee, back,
>>>>>>>chest,
>>>>>>>>>hip, and his shoulder twice) he has managed to
>>>>stay
>>>>>>>>>self-effacing.
>>>>>>>>>McNair now reveals that before his latest
>>surgery
>>>>>>>this
>>>>>>>>>off-season--an unorthodox procedure where
>>>surgeons
>>>>>>>>>took a piece of bone from his right hip and
>>>>screwed
>>>>>>>it
>>>>>>>>>to his sternum--his growing list of injuries
>>>>>>actually
>>>>>>>>>forced him to think about walking away from the
>>>>>>game.
>>>>>>>>>"I don't want to have my family pushing me
>>around
>>>>>in
>>>>>>>a
>>>>>>>>>wheelchair when I'm 50 because I have been
>>beaten
>>>>>up
>>>>>>>>>so bad," he says. "But the surgery went great.
>>>For
>>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>first time in four or five years, I feel pretty
>>>>>>>normal
>>>>>>>>>now."
>>>>>>>>>After deciding to suit up for another season,
>>>>>McNair
>>>>>>>>>hired a personal trainer, and went on a strict
>>>>diet
>>>>>>>>>for the first time in his life. "I wanted to
>get
>>>>in
>>>>>>>>>the best shape of my life," says McNair, who
>>last
>>>>>>>year
>>>>>>>>>was named No. 3 on USA Today's list of the 10
>>>>>>>toughest
>>>>>>>>>athletes in sports. "I now have a little more
>>>>>bounce
>>>>>>>>>in my step. I wanted to give myself a chance to
>>>>>play
>>>>>>>>>again."
>>>>>>>>>The diet he followed included shying away from
>>>his
>>>>>>>>>mother's cooking. "Candied yams, fried chicken,
>>>>>>>>>smothered chicken, greens. She knows how to do
>>>all
>>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>>that. And she does it well," McNair says. "I
>>love
>>>>>>>soul
>>>>>>>>>food, but at the same time, I had to slow down,
>>>>not
>>>>>>>>>stop, but slow down. I had to start eating
>>right.
>>>>>>She
>>>>>>>>>still cooks for me."
>>>>>>>>>Not only does she cook for him, but rarely does
>>a
>>>>>>day
>>>>>>>>>go by without McNair talking with his mother,
>>>>>>>Lucille,
>>>>>>>>>the backbone of the McNair family, the
>>>>>strong-willed
>>>>>>>>>woman who raised him and his four brothers by
>>>>>>herself
>>>>>>>>>on a small farm in Mount Olive, Miss. When
>>>talking
>>>>>>>>>about those days growing up, McNair doesn't
>>mince
>>>>>>>>>words. "I used to see my mother scratch for
>>every
>>>>>>>>>penny. To make us happy, she did without," he
>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>>"It was hard seeing my mother work from 11 p.m.
>>>to
>>>>>7
>>>>>>>>>a.m. I remember seeing her closing her door and
>>>>>>>crying
>>>>>>>>>because she didn't think that she was doing a
>>>good
>>>>>>>job
>>>>>>>>>of raising us, and feeling like she didn't have
>>>>>>>enough
>>>>>>>>>income to take care of us."
>>>>>>>>>McNair says he and his brothers did everything
>>>>they
>>>>>>>>>could to help make ends meet, including work on
>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>farm raising pigs, chickens and cows, and
>>plowing
>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>garden with a mule. "We got summer jobs, mowing
>>>>>>yards
>>>>>>>>>when I was 8 or 9 years old," he says. "It put
>a
>>>>>lot
>>>>>>>>>of pressure on my oldest brother. He had to
>grow
>>>>up
>>>>>>>>>faster than he should have. He had to be a
>>>>>>>>>father-figure for us. He made sure we did [our]
>>>>>>>>>homework ... That actually made us close as a
>>>>>>>family."
>>>>>>>>>Faith and hard work helped the McNair family
>get
>>>>>>>>>through the tough times. "It was hard on us,"
>he
>>>>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>>"But we went to church every Sunday. That
>always
>>>>>>made
>>>>>>>>>us feel good. Did a lot of things together.
>>>>>Whenever
>>>>>>>>>you saw one, you saw everybody. We were a very
>>>>>close
>>>>>>>>>family that made the sacrifices we needed to
>>>>>>>survive."
>>>>>>>>>The former Alcorn State University star says
>>he's
>>>>a
>>>>>>>>>"country boy" who can "put on a pair of boots,
>>>>some
>>>>>>>>>jeans and a T-shirt" and" sit and do nothing,
>>and
>>>>>>>>>still have fun. I'm not financially in need
>>>>>anymore,
>>>>>>>>>but I'm not going to change my lifestyle," he
>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>>McNair has a 643-acre ranch back in
>Mississippi,
>>>>>>>where
>>>>>>>>>he raises some 250 cattle and 30 horses.
>>>>>Ironically,
>>>>>>>>>it's the same land his mother used to work on.
>>>>>"I'll
>>>>>>>>>never forget the day when I took her out there
>>to
>>>>>>>look
>>>>>>>>>at the property for the first time," he says.
>>>"All
>>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>>sudden, her eyes started watering and tears
>>>>started
>>>>>>>>>coming down her face. I said, 'What, you don't
>>>>like
>>>>>>>>>it?' That was when she told me that it was the
>>>>land
>>>>>>>>>she used to work" as a laborer.
>>>>>>>>>ONE yard. A measly three feet--36 inches--a
>mere
>>>>>>baby
>>>>>>>>>step for Steve McNair.
>>>>>>>>>But it's that scant distance which proved to be
>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>longest yard for the Tennessee Titans star
>>>>>>>quarterback
>>>>>>>>>as the world watched his team come up one yard
>>>>>short
>>>>>>>>>on a last-second-tying touchdown in Super Bowl
>>>>>>XXXIV.
>>>>>>>>>After the game, after the media was gone, after
>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>on-field celebration by the St. Louis Rams had
>>>>>>>>>subsided, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound Pro Bowler
>>>cried
>>>>>>>>>like a baby. And to this day--even as the
>>>>>>32-year-old
>>>>>>>>>relaxes with his family in their magnificent
>>>>>>>Nashville
>>>>>>>>>home, and he finds himself in the midst of
>>>another
>>>>>>>>>football season--that game continues to haunt
>>>him.
>>>>>>>>>"It's always going to be there," McNair says.
>"I
>>>>>>>don't
>>>>>>>>>care how many people say that they don't think
>>>>>about
>>>>>>>>>it, you always replay it in your mind. I think
>>>>>about
>>>>>>>>>how sad and how bad I was feeling. It was a low
>>>>>>point
>>>>>>>>>in my career because I think that we had a
>>chance
>>>>>to
>>>>>>>>>win the game if we would have gotten that yard
>>>and
>>>>>>>>>went into overtime. The one yard short still
>>>hurts
>>>>>>>>>because I haven't been back. It will never go
>>>away
>>>>>>>>>until I get back to the Super Bowl. And not
>only
>>>>>get
>>>>>>>>>back, but win. That's a motivating factor for
>>>me."
>>>>>>>>>If anybody can go the extra yard and slay the
>>>>>ghosts
>>>>>>>>>of a Super Bowl past, it's McNair. Having grown
>>>up
>>>>>>>>>dirt-poor in Mississippi, McNair's life and
>>>career
>>>>>>>are
>>>>>>>>>filled with stories of succeeding against the
>>>>odds,
>>>>>>>>>triumph over adversity. In 11 seasons in the
>>NFL,
>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>devoted husband and father of four sons has
>>>>>>>>>accomplished feats--on and off the field--that
>>>few
>>>>>>>>>thought he would.
>>>>>>>>>In fact, with all of his accomplishments (which
>>>>>>>>>include being the league's co-MVP in 2003, and
>>>>>>>>>becoming only the fifth player in NFL history
>to
>>>>>>pass
>>>>>>>>>for 20,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards), and
>>>>all
>>>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>>his setbacks (including a myriad of injuries
>and
>>>>>>>>>surgeries to repair his toe, ankle, knee, back,
>>>>>>>chest,
>>>>>>>>>hip, and his shoulder twice) he has managed to
>>>>stay
>>>>>>>>>self-effacing.
>>>>>>>>>McNair now reveals that before his latest
>>surgery
>>>>>>>this
>>>>>>>>>off-season--an unorthodox procedure where
>>>surgeons
>>>>>>>>>took a piece of bone from his right hip and
>>>>screwed
>>>>>>>it
>>>>>>>>>to his sternum--his growing list of injuries
>>>>>>actually
>>>>>>>>>forced him to think about walking away from the
>>>>>>game.
>>>>>>>>>"I don't want to have my family pushing me
>>around
>>>>>in
>>>>>>>a
>>>>>>>>>wheelchair when I'm 50 because I have been
>>beaten
>>>>>up
>>>>>>>>>so bad," he says. "But the surgery went great.
>>>For
>>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>first time in four or five years, I feel pretty
>>>>>>>normal
>>>>>>>>>now."
>>>>>>>>>After deciding to suit up for another season,
>>>>>McNair
>>>>>>>>>hired a personal trainer, and went on a strict
>>>>diet
>>>>>>>>>for the first time in his life. "I wanted to
>get
>>>>in
>>>>>>>>>the best shape of my life," says McNair, who
>>last
>>>>>>>year
>>>>>>>>>was named No. 3 on USA Today's list of the 10
>>>>>>>toughest
>>>>>>>>>athletes in sports. "I now have a little more
>>>>>bounce
>>>>>>>>>in my step. I wanted to give myself a chance to
>>>>>play
>>>>>>>>>again."
>>>>>>>>>The diet he followed included shying away from
>>>his
>>>>>>>>>mother's cooking. "Candied yams, fried chicken,
>>>>>>>>>smothered chicken, greens. She knows how to do
>>>all
>>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>>that. And she does it well," McNair says. "I
>>love
>>>>>>>soul
>>>>>>>>>food, but at the same time, I had to slow down,
>>>>not
>>>>>>>>>stop, but slow down. I had to start eating
>>right.
>>>>>>She
>>>>>>>>>still cooks for me."
>>>>>>>>>Not only does she cook for him, but rarely does
>>a
>>>>>>day
>>>>>>>>>go by without McNair talking with his mother,
>>>>>>>Lucille,
>>>>>>>>>the backbone of the McNair family, the
>>>>>strong-willed
>>>>>>>>>woman who raised him and his four brothers by
>>>>>>herself
>>>>>>>>>on a small farm in Mount Olive, Miss. When
>>>talking
>>>>>>>>>about those days growing up, McNair doesn't
>>mince
>>>>>>>>>words. "I used to see my mother scratch for
>>every
>>>>>>>>>penny. To make us happy, she did without," he
>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>>"It was hard seeing my mother work from 11 p.m.
>>>to
>>>>>7
>>>>>>>>>a.m. I remember seeing her closing her door and
>>>>>>>crying
>>>>>>>>>because she didn't think that she was doing a
>>>good
>>>>>>>job
>>>>>>>>>of raising us, and feeling like she didn't have
>>>>>>>enough
>>>>>>>>>income to take care of us."
>>>>>>>>>McNair says he and his brothers did everything
>>>>they
>>>>>>>>>could to help make ends meet, including work on
>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>farm raising pigs, chickens and cows, and
>>plowing
>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>garden with a mule. "We got summer jobs, mowing
>>>>>>yards
>>>>>>>>>when I was 8 or 9 years old," he says. "It put
>a
>>>>>lot
>>>>>>>>>of pressure on my oldest brother. He had to
>grow
>>>>up
>>>>>>>>>faster than he should have. He had to be a
>>>>>>>>>father-figure for us. He made sure we did [our]
>>>>>>>>>homework ... That actually made us close as a
>>>>>>>family."
>>>>>>>>>Faith and hard work helped the McNair family
>get
>>>>>>>>>through the tough times. "It was hard on us,"
>he
>>>>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>>"But we went to church every Sunday. That
>always
>>>>>>made
>>>>>>>>>us feel good. Did a lot of things together.
>>>>>Whenever
>>>>>>>>>you saw one, you saw everybody. We were a very
>>>>>close
>>>>>>>>>family that made the sacrifices we needed to
>>>>>>>survive."
>>>>>>>>>The former Alcorn State University star says
>>he's
>>>>a
>>>>>>>>>"country boy" who can "put on a pair of boots,
>>>>some
>>>>>>>>>jeans and a T-shirt" and" sit and do nothing,
>>and
>>>>>>>>>still have fun. I'm not financially in need
>>>>>anymore,
>>>>>>>>>but I'm not going to change my lifestyle," he
>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>>McNair has a 643-acre ranch back in
>Mississippi,
>>>>>>>where
>>>>>>>>>he raises some 250 cattle and 30 horses.
>>>>>Ironically,
>>>>>>>>>it's the same land his mother used to work on.
>>>>>"I'll
>>>>>>>>>never forget the day when I took her out there
>>to
>>>>>>>look
>>>>>>>>>at the property for the first time," he says.
>>>"All
>>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>>sudden, her eyes started watering and tears
>>>>started
>>>>>>>>>coming down her face. I said, 'What, you don't
>>>>like
>>>>>>>>>it?' That was when she told me that it was the
>>>>land
>>>>>>>>>she used to work" as a laborer.
>>>>>>>>>ONE yard. A measly three feet--36 inches--a
>mere
>>>>>>baby
>>>>>>>>>step for Steve McNair.
>>>>>>>>>But it's that scant distance which proved to be
>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>longest yard for the Tennessee Titans star
>>>>>>>quarterback
>>>>>>>>>as the world watched his team come up one yard
>>>>>short
>>>>>>>>>on a last-second-tying touchdown in Super Bowl
>>>>>>XXXIV.
>>>>>>>>>After the game, after the media was gone, after
>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>on-field celebration by the St. Louis Rams had
>>>>>>>>>subsided, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound Pro Bowler
>>>cried
>>>>>>>>>like a baby. And to this day--even as the
>>>>>>32-year-old
>>>>>>>>>relaxes with his family in their magnificent
>>>>>>>Nashville
>>>>>>>>>home, and he finds himself in the midst of
>>>another
>>>>>>>>>football season--that game continues to haunt
>>>him.
>>>>>>>>>"It's always going to be there," McNair says.
>"I
>>>>>>>don't
>>>>>>>>>care how many people say that they don't think
>>>>>about
>>>>>>>>>it, you always replay it in your mind. I think
>>>>>about
>>>>>>>>>how sad and how bad I was feeling. It was a low
>>>>>>point
>>>>>>>>>in my career because I think that we had a
>>chance
>>>>>to
>>>>>>>>>win the game if we would have gotten that yard
>>>and
>>>>>>>>>went into overtime. The one yard short still
>>>hurts
>>>>>>>>>because I haven't been back. It will never go
>>>away
>>>>>>>>>until I get back to the Super Bowl. And not
>only
>>>>>get
>>>>>>>>>back, but win. That's a motivating factor for
>>>me."
>>>>>>>>>If anybody can go the extra yard and slay the
>>>>>ghosts
>>>>>>>>>of a Super Bowl past, it's McNair. Having grown
>>>up
>>>>>>>>>dirt-poor in Mississippi, McNair's life and
>>>career
>>>>>>>are
>>>>>>>>>filled with stories of succeeding against the
>>>>odds,
>>>>>>>>>triumph over adversity. In 11 seasons in the
>>NFL,
>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>devoted husband and father of four sons has
>>>>>>>>>accomplished feats--on and off the field--that
>>>few
>>>>>>>>>thought he would.
>>>>>>>>>In fact, with all of his accomplishments (which
>>>>>>>>>include being the league's co-MVP in 2003, and
>>>>>>>>>becoming only the fifth player in NFL history
>to
>>>>>>pass
>>>>>>>>>for 20,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards), and
>>>>all
>>>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>>his setbacks (including a myriad of injuries
>and
>>>>>>>>>surgeries to repair his toe, ankle, knee, back,
>>>>>>>chest,
>>>>>>>>>hip, and his shoulder twice) he has managed to
>>>>stay
>>>>>>>>>self-effacing.
>>>>>>>>>McNair now reveals that before his latest
>>surgery
>>>>>>>this
>>>>>>>>>off-season--an unorthodox procedure where
>>>surgeons
>>>>>>>>>took a piece of bone from his right hip and
>>>>screwed
>>>>>>>it
>>>>>>>>>to his sternum--his growing list of injuries
>>>>>>actually
>>>>>>>>>forced him to think about walking away from the
>>>>>>game.
>>>>>>>>>"I don't want to have my family pushing me
>>around
>>>>>in
>>>>>>>a
>>>>>>>>>wheelchair when I'm 50 because I have been
>>beaten
>>>>>up
>>>>>>>>>so bad," he says. "But the surgery went great.
>>>For
>>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>first time in four or five years, I feel pretty
>>>>>>>normal
>>>>>>>>>now."
>>>>>>>>>After deciding to suit up for another season,
>>>>>McNair
>>>>>>>>>hired a personal trainer, and went on a strict
>>>>diet
>>>>>>>>>for the first time in his life. "I wanted to
>get
>>>>in
>>>>>>>>>the best shape of my life," says McNair, who
>>last
>>>>>>>year
>>>>>>>>>was named No. 3 on USA Today's list of the 10
>>>>>>>toughest
>>>>>>>>>athletes in sports. "I now have a little more
>>>>>bounce
>>>>>>>>>in my step. I wanted to give myself a chance to
>>>>>play
>>>>>>>>>again."
>>>>>>>>>The diet he followed included shying away from
>>>his
>>>>>>>>>mother's cooking. "Candied yams, fried chicken,
>>>>>>>>>smothered chicken, greens. She knows how to do
>>>all
>>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>>that. And she does it well," McNair says. "I
>>love
>>>>>>>soul
>>>>>>>>>food, but at the same time, I had to slow down,
>>>>not
>>>>>>>>>stop, but slow down. I had to start eating
>>right.
>>>>>>She
>>>>>>>>>still cooks for me."
>>>>>>>>>Not only does she cook for him, but rarely does
>>a
>>>>>>day
>>>>>>>>>go by without McNair talking with his mother,
>>>>>>>Lucille,
>>>>>>>>>the backbone of the McNair family, the
>>>>>strong-willed
>>>>>>>>>woman who raised him and his four brothers by
>>>>>>herself
>>>>>>>>>on a small farm in Mount Olive, Miss. When
>>>talking
>>>>>>>>>about those days growing up, McNair doesn't
>>mince
>>>>>>>>>words. "I used to see my mother scratch for
>>every
>>>>>>>>>penny. To make us happy, she did without," he
>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>>"It was hard seeing my mother work from 11 p.m.
>>>to
>>>>>7
>>>>>>>>>a.m. I remember seeing her closing her door and
>>>>>>>crying
>>>>>>>>>because she didn't think that she was doing a
>>>good
>>>>>>>job
>>>>>>>>>of raising us, and feeling like she didn't have
>>>>>>>enough
>>>>>>>>>income to take care of us."
>>>>>>>>>McNair says he and his brothers did everything
>>>>they
>>>>>>>>>could to help make ends meet, including work on
>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>farm raising pigs, chickens and cows, and
>>plowing
>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>garden with a mule. "We got summer jobs, mowing
>>>>>>yards
>>>>>>>>>when I was 8 or 9 years old," he says. "It put
>a
>>>>>lot
>>>>>>>>>of pressure on my oldest brother. He had to
>grow
>>>>up
>>>>>>>>>faster than he should have. He had to be a
>>>>>>>>>father-figure for us. He made sure we did [our]
>>>>>>>>>homework ... That actually made us close as a
>>>>>>>family."
>>>>>>>>>Faith and hard work helped the McNair family
>get
>>>>>>>>>through the tough times. "It was hard on us,"
>he
>>>>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>>"But we went to church every Sunday. That
>always
>>>>>>made
>>>>>>>>>us feel good. Did a lot of things together.
>>>>>Whenever
>>>>>>>>>you saw one, you saw everybody. We were a very
>>>>>close
>>>>>>>>>family that made the sacrifices we needed to
>>>>>>>survive."
>>>>>>>>>The former Alcorn State University star says
>>he's
>>>>a
>>>>>>>>>"country boy" who can "put on a pair of boots,
>>>>some
>>>>>>>>>jeans and a T-shirt" and" sit and do nothing,
>>and
>>>>>>>>>still have fun. I'm not financially in need
>>>>>anymore,
>>>>>>>>>but I'm not going to change my lifestyle," he
>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>>McNair has a 643-acre ranch back in
>Mississippi,
>>>>>>>where
>>>>>>>>>he raises some 250 cattle and 30 horses.
>>>>>Ironically,
>>>>>>>>>it's the same land his mother used to work on.
>>>>>"I'll
>>>>>>>>>never forget the day when I took her out there
>>to
>>>>>>>look
>>>>>>>>>at the property for the first time," he says.
>>>"All
>>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>>sudden, her eyes started watering and tears
>>>>started
>>>>>>>>>coming down her face. I said, 'What, you don't
>>>>like
>>>>>>>>>it?' That was when she told me that it was the
>>>>land
>>>>>>>>>she used to work" as a laborer.
>>>>>>>>>ONE yard. A measly three feet--36 inches--a
>mere
>>>>>>baby
>>>>>>>>>step for Steve McNair.
>>>>>>>>>But it's that scant distance which proved to be
>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>longest yard for the Tennessee Titans star
>>>>>>>quarterback
>>>>>>>>>as the world watched his team come up one yard
>>>>>short
>>>>>>>>>on a last-second-tying touchdown in Super Bowl
>>>>>>XXXIV.
>>>>>>>>>After the game, after the media was gone, after
>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>on-field celebration by the St. Louis Rams had
>>>>>>>>>subsided, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound Pro Bowler
>>>cried
>>>>>>>>>like a baby. And to this day--even as the
>>>>>>32-year-old
>>>>>>>>>relaxes with his family in their magnificent
>>>>>>>Nashville
>>>>>>>>>home, and he finds himself in the midst of
>>>another
>>>>>>>>>football season--that game continues to haunt
>>>him.
>>>>>>>>>"It's always going to be there," McNair says.
>"I
>>>>>>>don't
>>>>>>>>>care how many people say that they don't think
>>>>>about
>>>>>>>>>it, you always replay it in your mind. I think
>>>>>about
>>>>>>>>>how sad and how bad I was feeling. It was a low
>>>>>>point
>>>>>>>>>in my career because I think that we had a
>>chance
>>>>>to
>>>>>>>>>win the game if we would have gotten that yard
>>>and
>>>>>>>>>went into overtime. The one yard short still
>>>hurts
>>>>>>>>>because I haven't been back. It will never go
>>>away
>>>>>>>>>until I get back to the Super Bowl. And not
>only
>>>>>get
>>>>>>>>>back, but win. That's a motivating factor for
>>>me."
>>>>>>>>>If anybody can go the extra yard and slay the
>>>>>ghosts
>>>>>>>>>of a Super Bowl past, it's McNair. Having grown
>>>up
>>>>>>>>>dirt-poor in Mississippi, McNair's life and
>>>career
>>>>>>>are
>>>>>>>>>filled with stories of succeeding against the
>>>>odds,
>>>>>>>>>triumph over adversity. In 11 seasons in the
>>NFL,
>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>devoted husband and father of four sons has
>>>>>>>>>accomplished feats--on and off the field--that
>>>few
>>>>>>>>>thought he would.
>>>>>>>>>In fact, with all of his accomplishments (which
>>>>>>>>>include being the league's co-MVP in 2003, and
>>>>>>>>>becoming only the fifth player in NFL history
>to
>>>>>>pass
>>>>>>>>>for 20,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards), and
>>>>all
>>>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>>his setbacks (including a myriad of injuries
>and
>>>>>>>>>surgeries to repair his toe, ankle, knee, back,
>>>>>>>chest,
>>>>>>>>>hip, and his shoulder twice) he has managed to
>>>>stay
>>>>>>>>>self-effacing.
>>>>>>>>>McNair now reveals that before his latest
>>surgery
>>>>>>>this
>>>>>>>>>off-season--an unorthodox procedure where
>>>surgeons
>>>>>>>>>took a piece of bone from his right hip and
>>>>screwed
>>>>>>>it
>>>>>>>>>to his sternum--his growing list of injuries
>>>>>>actually
>>>>>>>>>forced him to think about walking away from the
>>>>>>game.
>>>>>>>>>"I don't want to have my family pushing me
>>around
>>>>>in
>>>>>>>a
>>>>>>>>>wheelchair when I'm 50 because I have been
>>beaten
>>>>>up
>>>>>>>>>so bad," he says. "But the surgery went great.
>>>For
>>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>first time in four or five years, I feel pretty
>>>>>>>normal
>>>>>>>>>now."
>>>>>>>>>After deciding to suit up for another season,
>>>>>McNair
>>>>>>>>>hired a personal trainer, and went on a strict
>>>>diet
>>>>>>>>>for the first time in his life. "I wanted to
>get
>>>>in
>>>>>>>>>the best shape of my life," says McNair, who
>>last
>>>>>>>year
>>>>>>>>>was named No. 3 on USA Today's list of the 10
>>>>>>>toughest
>>>>>>>>>athletes in sports. "I now have a little more
>>>>>bounce
>>>>>>>>>in my step. I wanted to give myself a chance to
>>>>>play
>>>>>>>>>again."
>>>>>>>>>The diet he followed included shying away from
>>>his
>>>>>>>>>mother's cooking. "Candied yams, fried chicken,
>>>>>>>>>smothered chicken, greens. She knows how to do
>>>all
>>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>>that. And she does it well," McNair says. "I
>>love
>>>>>>>soul
>>>>>>>>>food, but at the same time, I had to slow down,
>>>>not
>>>>>>>>>stop, but slow down. I had to start eating
>>right.
>>>>>>She
>>>>>>>>>still cooks for me."
>>>>>>>>>Not only does she cook for him, but rarely does
>>a
>>>>>>day
>>>>>>>>>go by without McNair talking with his mother,
>>>>>>>Lucille,
>>>>>>>>>the backbone of the McNair family, the
>>>>>strong-willed
>>>>>>>>>woman who raised him and his four brothers by
>>>>>>herself
>>>>>>>>>on a small farm in Mount Olive, Miss. When
>>>talking
>>>>>>>>>about those days growing up, McNair doesn't
>>mince
>>>>>>>>>words. "I used to see my mother scratch for
>>every
>>>>>>>>>penny. To make us happy, she did without," he
>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>>"It was hard seeing my mother work from 11 p.m.
>>>to
>>>>>7
>>>>>>>>>a.m. I remember seeing her closing her door and
>>>>>>>crying
>>>>>>>>>because she didn't think that she was doing a
>>>good
>>>>>>>job
>>>>>>>>>of raising us, and feeling like she didn't have
>>>>>>>enough
>>>>>>>>>income to take care of us."
>>>>>>>>>McNair says he and his brothers did everything
>>>>they
>>>>>>>>>could to help make ends meet, including work on
>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>farm raising pigs, chickens and cows, and
>>plowing
>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>garden with a mule. "We got summer jobs, mowing
>>>>>>yards
>>>>>>>>>when I was 8 or 9 years old," he says. "It put
>a
>>>>>lot
>>>>>>>>>of pressure on my oldest brother. He had to
>grow
>>>>up
>>>>>>>>>faster than he should have. He had to be a
>>>>>>>>>father-figure for us. He made sure we did [our]
>>>>>>>>>homework ... That actually made us close as a
>>>>>>>family."
>>>>>>>>>Faith and hard work helped the McNair family
>get
>>>>>>>>>through the tough times. "It was hard on us,"
>he
>>>>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>>"But we went to church every Sunday. That
>always
>>>>>>made
>>>>>>>>>us feel good. Did a lot of things together.
>>>>>Whenever
>>>>>>>>>you saw one, you saw everybody. We were a very
>>>>>close
>>>>>>>>>family that made the sacrifices we needed to
>>>>>>>survive."
>>>>>>>>>The former Alcorn State University star says
>>he's
>>>>a
>>>>>>>>>"country boy" who can "put on a pair of boots,
>>>>some
>>>>>>>>>jeans and a T-shirt" and" sit and do nothing,
>>and
>>>>>>>>>still have fun. I'm not financially in need
>>>>>anymore,
>>>>>>>>>but I'm not going to change my lifestyle," he
>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>>McNair has a 643-acre ranch back in
>Mississippi,
>>>>>>>where
>>>>>>>>>he raises some 250 cattle and 30 horses.
>>>>>Ironically,
>>>>>>>>>it's the same land his mother used to work on.
>>>>>"I'll
>>>>>>>>>never forget the day when I took her out there
>>to
>>>>>>>look
>>>>>>>>>at the property for the first time," he says.
>>>"All
>>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>>sudden, her eyes started watering and tears
>>>>started
>>>>>>>>>coming down her face. I said, 'What, you don't
>>>>like
>>>>>>>>>it?' That was when she told me that it was the
>>>>land
>>>>>>>>>she used to work" as a laborer.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>Not only does she cook for him, but rarely does
>>a
>>>>>>day
>>>>>>>>>go by without McNair talking with his mother,
>>>>>>>Lucille,
>>>>>>>>>the backbone of the McNair family, the
>>>>>strong-willed
>>>>>>>>>woman who raised him and his four brothers by
>>>>>>herself
>>>>>>>>>on a small farm in Mount Olive, Miss. When
>>>talking
>>>>>>>>>about those days growing up, McNair doesn't
>>mince
>>>>>>>>>words. "I used to see my mother scratch for
>>every
>>>>>>>>>penny. To make us happy, she did without," he
>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>>"It was hard seeing my mother work from 11 p.m.
>>>to
>>>>>7
>>>>>>>>>a.m. I remember seeing her closing her door and
>>>>>>>crying
>>>>>>>>>because she didn't think that she was doing a
>>>good
>>>>>>>job
>>>>>>>>>of raising us, and feeling like she didn't have
>>>>>>>enough
>>>>>>>>>income to take care of us."
>>>>>>>>>McNair says he and his brothers did everything
>>>>they
>>>>>>>>>could to help make ends meet, including work on
>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>farm raising pigs, chickens and cows, and
>>plowing
>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>garden with a mule. "We got summer jobs, mowing
>>>>>>yards
>>>>>>>>>when I was 8 or 9 years old," he says. "It put
>a
>>>>>lot
>>>>>>>>>of pressure on my oldest brother. He had to
>grow
>>>>up
>>>>>>>>>faster than he should have. He had to be a
>>>>>>>>>father-figure for us. He made sure we did [our]
>>>>>>>>>homework ... That actually made us close as a
>>>>>>>family."
>>>>>>>>>Faith and hard work helped the McNair family
>get
>>>>>>>>>through the tough times. "It was hard on us,"
>he
>>>>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>>"But we went to church every Sunday. That
>always
>>>>>>made
>>>>>>>>>us feel good. Did a lot of things together.
>>>>>Whenever
>>>>>>>>>you saw one, you saw everybody. We were a very
>>>>>close
>>>>>>>>>family that made the sacrifices we needed to
>>>>>>>survive."
>>>>>>>>>The former Alcorn State University star says
>>he's
>>>>a
>>>>>>>>>"country boy" who can "put on a pair of boots,
>>>>some
>>>>>>>>>jeans and a T-shirt" and" sit and do nothing,
>>and
>>>>>>>>>still have fun. I'm not financially in need
>>>>>anymore,
>>>>>>>>>but I'm not going to change my lifestyle," he
>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>>McNair has a 643-acre ranch back in
>Mississippi,
>>>>>>>where
>>>>>>>>>he raises some 250 cattle and 30 horses.
>>>>>Ironically,
>>>>>>>>>it's the same land his mother used to work on.
>>>>>"I'll
>>>>>>>>>never forget the day when I took her out there
>>to
>>>>>>>look
>>>>>>>>>at the property for the first time," he says.
>>>"All
>>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>>sudden, her eyes started watering and tears
>>>>started
>>>>>>>>>coming down her face. I said, 'What, you don't
>>>>like
>>>>>>>>>it?' That was when she told me that it was the
>>>>land
>>>>>>>>>she used to work" as a laborer.
>>>>>>>>>Not only does she cook for him, but rarely does
>>a
>>>>>>day
>>>>>>>>>go by without McNair talking with his mother,
>>>>>>>Lucille,
>>>>>>>>>the backbone of the McNair family, the
>>>>>strong-willed
>>>>>>>>>woman who raised him and his four brothers by
>>>>>>herself
>>>>>>>>>on a small farm in Mount Olive, Miss. When
>>>talking
>>>>>>>>>about those days growing up, McNair doesn't
>>mince
>>>>>>>>>words. "I used to see my mother scratch for
>>every
>>>>>>>>>penny. To make us happy, she did without," he
>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>>"It was hard seeing my mother work from 11 p.m.
>>>to
>>>>>7
>>>>>>>>>a.m. I remember seeing her closing her door and
>>>>>>>crying
>>>>>>>>>because she didn't think that she was doing a
>>>good
>>>>>>>job
>>>>>>>>>of raising us, and feeling like she didn't have
>>>>>>>enough
>>>>>>>>>income to take care of us."
>>>>>>>>>McNair says he and his brothers did everything
>>>>they
>>>>>>>>>could to help make ends meet, including work on
>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>farm raising pigs, chickens and cows, and
>>plowing
>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>garden with a mule. "We got summer jobs, mowing
>>>>>>yards
>>>>>>>>>when I was 8 or 9 years old," he says. "It put
>a
>>>>>lot
>>>>>>>>>of pressure on my oldest brother. He had to
>grow
>>>>up
>>>>>>>>>faster than he should have. He had to be a
>>>>>>>>>father-figure for us. He made sure we did [our]
>>>>>>>>>homework ... That actually made us close as a
>>>>>>>family."
>>>>>>>>>Faith and hard work helped the McNair family
>get
>>>>>>>>>through the tough times. "It was hard on us,"
>he
>>>>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>>"But we went to church every Sunday. That
>always
>>>>>>made
>>>>>>>>>us feel good. Did a lot of things together.
>>>>>Whenever
>>>>>>>>>you saw one, you saw everybody. We were a very
>>>>>close
>>>>>>>>>family that made the sacrifices we needed to
>>>>>>>survive."
>>>>>>>>>The former Alcorn State University star says
>>he's
>>>>a
>>>>>>>>>"country boy" who can "put on a pair of boots,
>>>>some
>>>>>>>>>jeans and a T-shirt" and" sit and do nothing,
>>and
>>>>>>>>>still have fun. I'm not financially in need
>>>>>anymore,
>>>>>>>>>but I'm not going to change my lifestyle," he
>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>>McNair has a 643-acre ranch back in
>Mississippi,
>>>>>>>where
>>>>>>>>>he raises some 250 cattle and 30 horses.
>>>>>Ironically,
>>>>>>>>>it's the same land his mother used to work on.
>>>>>"I'll
>>>>>>>>>never forget the day when I took her out there
>>to
>>>>>>>look
>>>>>>>>>at the property for the first time," he says.
>>>"All
>>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>>sudden, her eyes started watering and tears
>>>>started
>>>>>>>>>coming down her face. I said, 'What, you don't
>>>>like
>>>>>>>>>it?' That was when she told me that it was the
>>>>land
>>>>>>>>>she used to work" as a laborer.
>>>>>>>>>The former Alcorn State University star says
>>he's
>>>>a
>>>>>>>>>"country boy" who can "put on a pair of boots,
>>>>some
>>>>>>>>>jeans and a T-shirt" and" sit and do nothing,
>>and
>>>>>>>>>still have fun. I'm not financially in need
>>>>>anymore,
>>>>>>>>>but I'm not going to change my lifestyle," he
>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>>McNair has a 643-acre ranch back in
>Mississippi,
>>>>>>>where
>>>>>>>>>he raises some 250 cattle and 30 horses.
>>>>>Ironically,
>>>>>>>>>it's the same land his mother used to work on.
>>>>>"I'll
>>>>>>>>>never forget the day when I took her out there
>>to
>>>>>>>look
>>>>>>>>>at the property for the first time," he says.
>>>"All
>>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>>sudden, her eyes started watering and tears
>>>>started
>>>>>>>>>coming down her face.dfg

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