MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Smith, Harvey

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING STEVE "AIR" MCNAIR UPON HIS OUTSTANDING FOOTBALL CAREER AND FOR LEADING THE TENNESSEE TITANS TO SUPER BOWL XXXIV.

WHEREAS, Steve "Air" McNair, a native of Mount Olive, Mississippi, led the Tennessee Titans to victories in the American Football Conference (AFC) playoffs, winning the AFC Championship Game and a place in the Super Bowl; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McNair, born on February 14, 1973, played football for the Pirates of Mount Olive High School, earning honors such as All-American and All-State; and

WHEREAS, regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in college football history, Mr. McNair played for Alcorn State University, holding every Alcorn State game, season and career passing and total offense record; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McNair is the only player in NCAA history to gain over 16,000 yards in total offense during his college career, finishing with a total of 16,823 yards; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McNair finished his collegiate career with outstanding statistics such as 928 of 1,673 for 14,496 yards in passing with 119 touchdowns and added 2,327 yards and 33 touchdowns in 375 rushing attempts; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McNair earned several awards during his college football career, including the Walter Payton Award, the Eddie Robinson Trophy and finished third in the Heisman Trophy race; and

WHEREAS, in 1995, Mr. McNair was the first quarterback and the third overall player selected in the NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans; and

WHEREAS, during his five-year professional football career, Mr. McNair has proved his outstanding athletic ability with a strong arm in the air and his explosive running ability on the ground; and

WHEREAS, at age 25, Mr. McNair became the youngest and only fourth quarterback in franchise history to post a 3,000-yard passing season last year; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McNair has led all quarterbacks in rushing yards for the past two seasons and in 1997, he had the third highest rushing total by a quarterback in NFL history; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McNair led the Tennessee Titans in their inaugural season at Adelphia Coliseum in Nashville, Tennessee, with an all-time best record of 13 wins and 3 losses; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McNair and the Titans went on to defeat the Buffalo Bills, the Indianapolis Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars in outstanding playoff games, winning the American Football Conference Championship; and

WHEREAS, the Titans then competed in Super Bowl XXXIV on January 30, 2000, which was the team's first Super Bowl appearance in club history; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McNair finished the Super Bowl with 22 completions of 36 attempts for 214 yards and rushed for 64 yards; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McNair has been lovingly supported in all his athletic endeavors by his family, including his wife, Mechelle, and their son, Tyler; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize and commend Steve "Air" McNair, who has displayed courage, strength, character and extraordinary athletic ability, setting an example to young people across this state and the nation and has brought honor to his university, his community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mr. Steve "Air" McNair upon his outstanding football career and for leading the Tennessee Titans to Super Bowl XXXIV and extend our heartiest wishes for success in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to Steve "Air" McNair and made available to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.