Today, Matt Ryan’s competition for the starting spot in Baltimore decreased by one, as Steve McNair announced his retirement from the NFL after 13 seasons.
McNair’s retirement isn’t really a surprise, given that the overwhelming feeling is that the Ravens were going to move in another direction regardless of what he decided to do, and besides that, the beating that his body has taken over the years necessitated it.
It was 13 years of ups and downs for the former Alcorn State star and #3 overall pick in 1995, who led the Titans to the Super Bowl in that famous Music City Miracle-inspired run in 1999, and was named the co-MVP with Peyton Manning in 2003. Then, in his first season with the Ravens, after the Titans unceremoniously severed ties with him, he showed that he plenty left in him, leading the Ravens to an runaway AFC North title.
But, there was also that ugly exit from Tennessee, and the plethora of injuries that battered him until he finally submitted, along with the heartbreaking Super Bowl XXXIV loss to the St. Louis Rams.
However, he was able to leave the game on his own terms, instead of being forced out like he was in Tennessee, and he deserved it that way.
Now that he has hung it up, has he done enough to be a Hall of Famer? That’s sure to be a hotly debated question.
He had two notable stretches in his career, from 1997-99, when he was still developing as a passer, but was one of the best running QBs in the league, running for 1,570 yards and 20 touchdowns in that period. 2001-03 was when he really hit his stride as a passer, throwing for 21, 22, and 24 touchdowns, culminating in that 2003 season in which he threw for 3,215 yards, 24 touchdowns, and only 7 interceptions.
Career-wise, his totals were more than respectable: 31,304 yards, 174 touchdown passes, 119 interceptions, 3,590 yards rushing, 37 touchdowns, three Pro Bowls, and the co-MVP in 2003.
Unfortunately, the injuries played a part in his numbers not being as good as they could have been, along with who was around him and the offenses that he was in. He never threw more than 492 passes in a season, and for much of his time in Tennessee, Eddie George and the running game were arguably the focal point of the offense.
His best receiver was Derrick Mason, who had four 1,000 yard seasons from 2001-04 before going to Baltimore, where he and McNair would be reunited in ‘06. But, outside of Mason, some of McNair’s leading receivers over his career were Frank Wycheck (reliable receiver, but not a superstar), Kevin Dyson, Drew Bennett, and Todd Heap.
Irrespective of his credentials as a Hall of Famer, McNair should be remembered fondly. He was a big part of the rise of black quarterbacks in the NFL, as he, Donovan McNabb, Daunte Culpepper, Aaron Brooks, and Michael Vick (dare I say it!) picked up where Doug Williams, Randall Cunningham, and Warren Moon left off and brought excitement to many an NFL stadium. McNabb is the only one of those that are still going strong, but the reins have now been handed over to the likes of Young, Jason Campbell, David Garrard, and JaMarcus Russell,
Not only that, but no one can ever say that McNair didn’t love the game and his team, as he played through pain many, many times. That toughness came at a price though, because playing injured, while it is brave, isn’t always the smartest thing to do, short or long term.
Maybe he’ll end up with a bust in Canton one day, and maybe he won’t. But, whatever happens, we’ll always be able to look back on those unforgettable moments like in Super Bowl XXXIV, where he scrambled away from the Rams defense and completed a pass to Dyson that set the Titans up for a chance to tie the game in the waning moments.
Do you think McNair is a Hall of Famer? Comment and give your opinion on the legacy of Air McNair.
