R.I.P. 'Air McNair' -- Steve McNair gone at 36

This was just unbelievable once I heard the news. After just about more than a week after the late great Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon, and as well as notorious TV pitchman Billy Mays pass, another distinguishable figure has left us.

Steve McNair, former long-time Tennessee Oiler now present-day Titans and Baltimore Raven, was found shot to death in his apartment in Nashville; shot four times. His body was with another accomplice, a 20-year-old woman who worked at a local Dave & Buster's restaurant; suffered a single gunshot to the head while the gun was near her own body.

Now with a single shot to herself and multiple gunshots to Steve McNair, while the gun's near the woman's body, to me, that sounds like a homicide/suicide. Which is pretty sad. That woman's sounds like nothing but trouble; she was arrested earlier in the week for DUI. McNair's wife wasn't around at the time of the shooting; was in another state other than Tennessee.

First heard about the news just when I got out of the shower getting ready for a family barbecue for the 4th, and tune in on ESPN and there it was in black and white. Wouldn't ever thought that he'd go down like that.

McNair recently retired from the 2007-'08 campaign of the NFL and he came off of pro football's map as being one the best competitors in the game to date. He most certainly had taken his part of the blows, hits and injuries during his 13 years in the league.

Attended Alcorn State University, a HBC [Historic Black College] settled in Lorman, Mississippi. (actually spelled it right the first time. Hah.) There is when his famous nickname 'Air McNair' stuck with him whenever he was in a spread formation and he'd not just have a rocket of an arm but he could run all over you with his legs. Something that's well known with quarterbacks like Vince Young, David Garrard, Michael Vick, as well as others.

3-time Pro Bowler; 1-time Co-MVP with Peyton Manning in '03; became the third QB to throw for 30,000+ yards as well as run for 3,500+ yards [Fran Tarkenton and Steve Young]; led the Tennessee Titans to Superbowl XXXIV with nearly winning the whole thing if Kevin Dyson wasn't a yard away.

He was survived by his wife and four kids. Respected by his teammates and peers alike. A true seasoned vet who really knew what the definition of toughness was all about. He'll certainly be missed.