Fans line up to pay respects to McNair
July 9, 2009
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)—Dozens of Steve McNair(notes) fans donned Tennessee Titans gearas they lined up around a funeral home Thursday to honor the slain ex-NFLquarterback’s accomplishments and charity work.
Inside the building, a closed silvery-gray casket topped with white liliessat next to a portrait of the former Titans star.
A line formed around the corner and police were directing traffic around thenorth Nashville funeral home. Many mourners showed up wearing Titans jerseys andT-shirts to pay their respects to a man they say was a leader of the team.
Derrick Lewis(notes) said McNair “put the Titans on the map.”
Lewis, wearing a Titans jersey, said he and his family were devastated whenthey learned of McNair’s death. Police have said McNair, 36, was shot four timesJuly 4 by a girlfriend who then killed herself in a condo McNair shared with afriend.
“Myself and my family were completely shocked and some of us were cryingbecause you almost feel like you are related,” Lewis said.
But Lewis said the details of the killing haven’t changed his opinion ofMcNair.
“I will always remember him for the good things that he did for thecommunity and the Tennessee Titans,” Lewis said. “Nobody’s perfect.”
Annetta Moore brought her grandson, Darrien James, 9, and granddaughterOlivia Cole, 11, to the funeral home and said she planned to take them to LPField for another public memorial Thursday and visit his restaurant.
Elise Taylor holds Steve McNai… AP – Jul 9, 11:40 am EDT
Moore said it wasn’t uncommon to see McNair hanging out around town.
“I think he just blended right in with everybody,” Moore said.
Loretta Lang said the details of the death should be a private family issueand shouldn’t take away from his charitable work.
“He’s definitely going to be missed because he gave back like many of theoriginal Houston Oilers that became the Tennessee Titans,” she said afterviewing the casket.
The Tennessee Titans have also opened LP Field to the public, where a videotribute to McNair is being shown and fans can write messages in a book forMcNair’s family.
McNair’s wife, close friends and ex-teammates are expected at a memorialservice Thursday night at Mount Zion Baptist Church where the family hasattended since moving to Nashville in 1997.
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