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Date Posted: 22:04:04 08/01/09 Sat
Author: asd
Subject: Re: sf
In reply to: asd 's message, "Re: sf" on 21:59:49 08/01/09 Sat

>>>>>>>>>>ONE yard. A measly three feet--36 inches--a
>>mere
>>>>>>>baby
>>>>>>>>>>asstep 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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