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Shutdown Corner

Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:04 pm EDT

Steve McNair was the definition of toughness

By Chris Chase

Steve McNair on playing hurt:

"It goes back to high school, when my coach told me that when you're in pain, you tend to stay more focused on what you have to do. I took that to heart, and I think that's how I play now. I can just concentrate better when I'm playing in pain."

That mentality -- not the obscure beginnings, playoff success or shared NFL MVP award -- is why NFL fans will long remember the former Tennessee Titans quarterback, who was found shot to death Saturday in Nashville.

Many who play hurt in the NFL provide constant reminders of their injuries, whether by wincing, limping or sighing every time they know the camera is focused on them. Despite myriad medical issues during his 13-year NFL career, McNair never did this. During a five-year stretch when he played hurt much of the time, McNair led the Titans to a 49-22 record. The only way Steve McNair(notes) needed to remind you that he was hurt was by stepping on the field and winning.

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868 Comments

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  1. Todd M
    1. Posted by Todd M Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:06 pm EDT

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    Shocking!!
  2. jeff w
    2. Posted by jeff w Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:11 pm EDT

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    So sad....
  3. sports fan
    3. Posted by sports fan Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:11 pm EDT

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    rest in peace Steve!!!!!
  4. hollidaydoc_2
    4. Posted by hollidaydoc_2 Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:12 pm EDT

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    wow
  5. mauricegoldman
    5. Posted by mauricegoldman Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:12 pm EDT

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    Very shocking. What an athlete he was.
  6. johnny w
    6. Posted by johnny w Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:12 pm EDT

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    Rip ;(
  7. Isaiah J
    7. Posted by Isaiah J Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:12 pm EDT

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    Unreal
  8. sports fan
    8. Posted by sports fan Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:12 pm EDT

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    SHould have shot first!
  9. Leam-Dogg
    9. Posted by Leam-Dogg Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:12 pm EDT

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    Rip steve mcnair----lets put the guns away
  10. CALI NINER
    10. Posted by CALI NINER Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:12 pm EDT

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    this is too bad! RIP Air Mc Nair!
  11. Un Ko
    11. Posted by Un Ko Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:12 pm EDT

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    :-(
  12. your_momlovesme
    12. Posted by your_momlovesme Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:12 pm EDT

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    o mannn
    that sucks
  13. Andy C
    13. Posted by Andy C Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:12 pm EDT

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    What?!?!?
  14. RHINO
    14. Posted by RHINO Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:12 pm EDT

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    Wtf?????
  15. jake a
    15. Posted by jake a Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:12 pm EDT

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    omg...
  16. Mike T
    16. Posted by Mike T Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:12 pm EDT

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    so sad. RIP STEVE MCNAIR.
  17. John RainierS
    17. Posted by John RainierS Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:13 pm EDT

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    RIP Steve :(
  18. joe79louis@...
    18. Posted by joe79louis@... Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:13 pm EDT

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    one of the toughest guys of alltime he will be miss
  19. jarl
    19. Posted by jarl Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:13 pm EDT

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    Sad, he was one of the great ones. Underrated!
  20. underemery
    20. Posted by underemery Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:13 pm EDT

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    please not be related to any sort of crime. He was an amazing player
  21. matt g
    21. Posted by matt g Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:13 pm EDT

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    very tragic, however he was arrested in 2003 for a DUI and possession of a .9mm. Something tells me that there is more than meets the eye with this. Regardless, a tragic day for his family and for the NFL family as well. RIP
  22. Richard H
    22. Posted by Richard H Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:13 pm EDT

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    Unfreakin believable!!!!!!! God bless his Fam
  23. P1N0Y
    23. Posted by P1N0Y Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:13 pm EDT

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    just makes ya wonder who's next w. the crazy 2 weeks we've had and obituaries...
  24. James D
    24. Posted by James D Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:13 pm EDT

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    Please know that this was a great person, taking care of his family and community, and he got shot in a pretty decent neighborhood in Nashville. I guess things will come together in a few days, but dont jump to conclusions.
  25. Doc
    25. Posted by Doc Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:13 pm EDT

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    Yeah this is really sad. Unbelievable.

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Shutdown Corner is an NFL blog edited by Matthew J. Darnell. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

Contributors:
Chris Chase, Doug Farrar, Blair Johnson, Kevin Sullivan, Kerry Rhodes,

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