This weekend, a great friend of B&M died, Mr. Steve McNair. Although we never met, it was clear that our relationship could not be weakened by distance or reality. On these trying days following the loss, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on all the things he taught us...
For many years I thought Steve McNair was the americanized name of former CFL great Warren Moon. I was young when the two of them overlapped careers, but it was an honest mistake. I mean, come on, TWO black quarterbacks? With the same franchise? In Texas? This was when Spike Lee was relevant and he use to make stories up so that he could make movies about reality. I can't be the only one who thought they looked a like and talked a like. I bet if you ask any other person who grew up in a predominantly white sheltered neighborhood without blacks they would say the same thing to.
Mr McNair also fueled my love for business and marketing at a young age. I was so confused why his nickname of "Air McNair" was readily accepted as nouveau and hip when it was really just rhyming alliteration. It wasn't necessarily McNair's fault, but I still blame him for the failed launch of this 18 year olds failed marketing career, as well as the never-blossomed sports apparel lines of "Shock and Darrell dAWEkins" and "Spud wEBB and Flow".
Certainly Titans fans, as well as sports fans in general, will always be grateful to McNair for letting us know it is ok to booo a black quarterback. Shortly after Rosa Parks stepped off the bus and Warren Moon was inserted into the starting lineup for the Oilers, people weren't really sure what etiquette should be in the stands. McNair diffused a potentially awkward race war by consistently throwing comedically bad interceptions.
Steve "LaTreal" McNair and his wife Mechelle also taught me that proper names can be whatever the hell you want them to be.
Lastly, dude was pulling down 19 year old tang at age 36. That doesn't really teach me anything, but it does confirm that when you are rich you can do whatever the hell you want to do. Oh wait, don't date chicks with guns. Lesson learned. Thank you Air.
He will be missed.
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