NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was shot multiple times, including a shot to the head, and a pistol was discovered near the body of the 20-year-old woman found dead with him Saturday in a downtown condominium.
Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron identified the woman as Sahel Kazemi, whom he called a “friend” of McNair’s. She had a single gunshot wound to the head.
Police said McNair was found on the sofa, and Kazemi was very close to him on the floor. Aaron said the gun was not “readily apparent when the scene was first locked down.”
Autopsies for both were planned for Sunday.
Aaron said McNair’s wife, Mechelle, is “very distraught.”
“At this juncture, we do not believe she is involved,” he said. “Nothing has been ruled out, but as far as actively looking for a suspect tonight, the answer would be no.”
The bodies were discovered Saturday afternoon by one of McNair’s longtime friends.
Police said Kazemi was arrested Thursday on a DUI charge while driving a 2007 Escalade registered to her and McNair. McNair was in the front seat, but didn’t break the law and was allowed to leave by taxi.
McNair played 13 seasons in the NFL and led the Titans within a yard of forcing overtime in the 2000 Super Bowl, which they lost 23-16 to the St. Louis Rams. He also played for the Baltimore Ravens before retiring in April 2008.
“We don’t know the details, but it is a terrible tragedy and our hearts go out to the families involved,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.
“We are saddened and shocked to hear the news of Steve McNair’s passing today,” Titans owner Bud Adams said in a statement. “He was one of the finest players to play for our organization and one of the most beloved players by our fans. He played with unquestioned heart and leadership and led us to places that we had never reached, including our only Super Bowl.”
About 50 people crowded just beyond police tape outside the complex in the upscale Rutledge Hill neighborhood, some wearing Titans hats. The condominium is located within walking distance of an area filled with restaurants and nightspots, just a few blocks from the Cumberland River and within view of the Titans’ stadium.
McNair began his career in 1995 with the Houston Oilers, who eventually became the Titans, and finished with 31,304 yards passing and 174 touchdowns. McNair played with pain for several years, and the injuries ultimately forced him to retire.
The highlight of his playing time might have been a five-game stretch at the end of the 2002 season when he was so banged up he couldn’t practice. McNair started all five games and won them all, leading the Titans to an 11-5 finish and a berth in the AFC championship game for the second time in four seasons.
McNair played all 16 games in 2006, his first season in Baltimore, and guided the Ravens to a 13-3 record. But he injured his groin during the season opener last season and never regained the form that enabled him to earn a berth in four Pro Bowls.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of today’s tragic news regarding the death of Steve McNair. He was a player who I admired a great deal,” said New England Patriots senior football adviser Floyd Reese, who was GM of the Titans when McNair played there. “He was a tremendous leader and an absolute warrior. He felt like it was his responsibility to lead by working hard every day, no matter what.
“I don’t think there was a player who played with him or against him that didn’t look up to him and respect him,” Reese said. “My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, his friends and the many teammates who loved and admired him.”
Titans coach Jeff Fisher was out of the country, taking part in the first NFL-USO coaches tour to Iraq.
Local Sports
Update: Ex-NFL QB McNair killed in Tenn.
- Local Sports
-
-
Anderson's Davis headed back to state
Anderson senior Kalyn Davis led local competitors at the regional with a pair of second-place finishes in the 100-meter hurdles and high jump. Both feats earned her berths into the June 1 state finals at Indiana University in Bloomington.
-
Bulldogs rally to rattle Raiders
Emily Cline celebrated her 16th birthday Tuesday by helping the Lapel softball team to a sweet Class 2A sectional victory.
The Bulldogs twice rallied from one-run deficits, Cline raced home with the go-ahead run during a big seventh-inning rally and Lapel surged to a 6-2 win against host Shenandoah. -
Arabians’ big hitters thrive in 4-1 win
Sierra Lewis, Kenzie Davis and Elizabeth Sigler provided all the offense the Arabians needed as they knocked off New Castle 4-1 in the semifinals of the Class 4A, Sectional 9 on Tuesday night at the Field of Dreams in Pendleton.
-
Haffner becomes 44th winner of Red Haven Award
Pendleton Heights now has both the old and the new Red Haven Award trophy for its case at school.
When PH’s Ellie McCardwell won the award in 2010, the long-standing trophy was retired, and because the Arabians had the last winner, the school was able to permanently house that hardware.
On Tuesday, when the Anderson Noon Exchange Club presented the 2012 winner, it went to Pendleton Heights’ Abbie Haffner. So for the next 12 months, PH will be home to both the new traveling trophy, first presented a year ago to Lapel’s Leigh Steele, and the old one. -
Raiders down Frankton, advance to title game
A trip to the Shenandoah softball sectional title game completely unraveled for the Frankton Eagles in the fifth inning.
Wapahani scored all four of its runs in that inning, three of them on one play, and the Raiders defeated Frankton 4-2 to meet Lapel in Thursday’s title game. -
Lions end season with loss to Wes-Del
Win-Loss records don’t always tell the whole story as the host Wes-Del Warriors came into their softball sectional game Tuesday against Liberty Christian with only four wins, but they walked off the field with 4-1 victory that stopped the Lions in their tracks.
-
Tribe hits, Spartans miss
Anderson leadoff hitter Donjanae Chamberlain set the table with three infield hits, and then Connersville spent the rest of the game knocking the dishes off the table.
The Lady Tribe made the most of 11 hits and nine Spartans errors on their way to a 12-1 softball sectional victory Monday night. -
Cowan ends Broncos' season
It was just two short days ago that the Daleville softball team beat Cowan in the first game of a doubleheader to clinch the Mid-Eastern Conference title.
Monday evening the Broncos faced the same team with different results as the Blackhawks (23-4) ended their season by taking a 6-3 victory in the opening round of the sectional at Wes-Del. -
Pulaski disc golf fundraiser set
The funding isn’t yet in place for the planned disc golf course to be constructed in Pulaski Park just off 38th Street. But it isn’t for lack of effort.
Spearheading the drive is Ron Box. Though he is still about $6,000 shy of the necessary funds, he isn’t defeated and he isn’t just hoping for a benefactor to suddenly appear. -
7 up for Red Haven Award
The Red Haven Award will be presented by the Anderson Noon Exchange Club at The Edge at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
