He loved us. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our updated Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. She already had two men in her in life: Tyler, 19, and Trent, who just turned 14. Steve McNairs cousin is Demario Davis, the Saints Linebacker and the 2022 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee for New Orleans. Mount Olive. She once took him on a girlfriends-only trip to the Bahamas, and if anyone took issue with it, well, tough. Lucille says Steve gave freely of his time,his talents and his money. "I had it in my mindbut I didn't tell nobody. "Lucille was a single mother,raising five rambunctious boys. Steve touched many lives his funeral was attended by more than 5,000 people who loved and missed him. A handful of them delivered. Yes his wife has no morals for being low down. When he's at school, he FaceTimes with her at least once a day, so it's almost as if she sees him more when he's in New York. "Most of the time I really don't hear it that much, but when I do, it's a little bit embarrassing. She would wonder, later, about signs. He'd handled everything -- the bills, the taxes, the boys' baseball swings -- until it was just her. They hug, and Tyler wants to tell her something before she goes back home to Tennessee. He felt he had to live up to his fathers legacy or in some way, continue it. When a parent dies young and leaves behind children, people make promises. Friends would come together for a candlelight vigil for Sahel remembering her hopes and dreams and telling stories about their friend, as shocked by the event as everyone else in her life was. But I'm not going to hell blaming somebody or having the hate and animosity in my heart. Piller went to one of Trent's basketball games recently, and the younger McNair didn't disappoint. He leaned on his mother, Mechelle, and Tyler, at left. The mother of Steve McNair Jr. said he had struggled emotionally he had just been getting quality time with his father. This is a cautionary tale. A few months after his death, the restaurant was sold. "I mean, I'm here by myself. "You know boys are going to be boys," she said. She would often be there to listen to family vent but seemed to have very little to express in return. Yes Steve messed up. Keith also had rap lyrics that some people felt might have been referring to the crime and we all know that that is an effective form of communication to read into (is Tupac alive, or is he not???). He asked how somebody could do this to his daddy. Mechelle McNair has declined comment and an interview request through a publicist. Tyler and Trent immediately flipped into kid mode, running around with their cousins, sprawling out on sleeping bags at bedtime, swearing they'd stay up all night. "Mama," Mechelle asked, "do you think it's true?". She had plenty to cheer about by the time the franchise moved to Tennessee in 1997. She knew her place. How do you think she was feeling? The details are jarring: Two shots to the chest, one to each temple, and lying at McNair's feet is his 20-year-old mistress, Jenni Kazemi, killed by a single shot to the head. She was a homebody, set on keeping her boys safe. She has thought about becoming a foster parent. The McNairs were selling their 26-room Nashville home in the upscale Green Hills neighborhood valued at $3.2 million at the time of his death. Lucille was born on July 3, 1922 in Albion to Charles and Flora (Shelby) Miller. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. He sat behind her in class and constantly flirted. On March 30 Jonula "Mechelle" McNair, the widow of murdered NFL quarterback Steve McNair, asked a Tennessee probate court to allow the dispursement of over $3.7 million from her husband's estate to pay nearly $2.9 million in estate taxes owed to the IRS and over $860,000 in estate taxes owed to the state of Tennessee. He told Mechelle that the alarm was going off at his restaurant, but she knows now that Kazemi was probably the one who called. Steve McNair guaranteed his role as Quarterback when he chose to attend an HBCU Alcorn State. "I'll be back in a little while," he said. Every season, Mechelle sends Trent's basketball schedule to Mu and to Zach Piller. George Clark/Hattiesburg American POOL/Getty Images. Piller, a former guard for the Titans, was one of McNair's pallbearers. ET. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). "That word will always get to me. Lucille McNair (born McNear) was born in 1896, at birth place, Indiana. Christmas break is over, and the house is quiet. No, I did not." Copyright 2016 MSNewsNow. He split time between his home in Nashville and his farm in Collins, Mississippi. "I feel like I'm just living. The pressure to be Steve McNair's son weighs heavily. He took care of us. He told Mechelle that the alarm was going off at his restaurant, but she knows now that Kazemi was probably the one who called. Steve needn't have worried, however. Times when McNair would take the boys out on his motorcycle and they didn't even need to talk. In Nashville, she got a full-time job working at Dave and Busters, loving financial independence and making the best of her job with her bubbly personality and sense of humor. Enter memorial Id. Mechelle had just found out. The finger was also pointed at Mechelle McNair (theres no supporting evidence for this, and the police cleared her). Lucille Mcnair, age 55. He never forced his sons to play sports. They got married in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1997, and a year later, Tyler came along. According to Piller, Trent hit five 3-pointers. Injury shortened McNairs career significantly. Aside from kid functions and dinners out, she lived the life of a homebody. "[People] always say, 'Oh, I admire you so much. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. It is in black and white. Kazemi was bullied in school and struggled to fit in. Trent, pictured right, was 5. NASHVILLE, TENN. " The wife of former Titans quarterback Steve McNair has filed legal papers seeking personal property, a years allowance and 40 percent of her deceased husbands estate, valued at $19.6 million. I do know that. She is glad her sons last memory of their dad was fond he went fishing with his boys. BESSEMER Lucille McNair, age 85, of Bessemer, died Feb. 23, 2008. She would not lose it in front of them. See Photos. . She stayed for the money an life style. He did annoying things, peeking at her test answers, sticking his giant feet on her book bag. In his last days, McNair seemed overwhelmed at times, almost as if he was at a crossroads, Mechelle says. When McNair was alive, if one of the boys was struggling with a batting stance or a shot, he could go outside, spend 30 minutes with him and get it figured out. "When I think about it, I don't want to be old and not have anybody to spend my last days with. Tyler, who was 10, started crying. He kissed Mechelle and told her he loved her, too. Regardless of how he left here, I know he loved us. He told them to find something they loved and do it well. I'm just pushing forward. She keeps McNair's football memorabilia in the basement, where Trent dribbles his basketball and Tyler practices his dance moves. NFLSteven and Lucille McNair on Draft Day (Mark Phillips/AFP via Getty Images). Steve McNair was born on Valentines Day in 1973, at Mount Olive, Mississippi, to parents Selma and Lucille McNair. The McNairs were selling their 26-room Nashville home in the upscale Green Hills neighborhood valued at $3.2 million at the time of his death. Vincent was able to share his findings in a grand jury hearing, and they decided there was not enough evidence to reopen the case. Azedeh was moving to Australia to attend University, and Sahel and her mother were supposed to come with her their bags were packed.Sahel was a animal lover (Courtesy of Keith Norfleet). And then July happened. Last weeks Homicide Brides article focused on Jovan Belcher taking the life of his significant other and then his own. "They ain't got nothing,he would say. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. She was hurt, and she was stressed. He was murdered on July 4th, 2009. Lucille was born on July 3, 1922 in Albion to Charles and Flora (Shelby) Miller. He did not have a will, creating a painful mess that dragged on for years. Her mother, Melzena Cartwright, saw the news on TV. Kazemi also told Steve that she was on the verge of a breakdown and was stressed by bills. When it hit her, she fell to the floor, screaming. I feel like I'm the weakest person sometimes. She and her sons settled into a house surrounded by trees and the occasional deer that plops down in the middle of the yard. MT. In his last days, McNair seemed overwhelmed at times, almost as if he was at a crossroads, Mechelle says. She had plans. In honor of the Super Bowl, we will acknowledge a QB who played in the Super Bowl and cant watch the Super Bowl in this weeks edition of Homicide Brides. Lucille McNair - Biography - IMDb Edit Lucille McNair Biography Mini Bio (1) Lucille McNair is known for 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony (2018). She wasn't into sports, and she already had a boyfriend. But McNair was persistent. Eventually, there will be more goodbyes. Wow, reporters must have had to dig deep for that one. She got on the elliptical machine, hoping some exercise would get rid of the headache. Those assets included the million dollar mansion he had built for his mother, Lucille, to live in during her twilight years. It was just like 2009. He cleaned the fish when they got home that night, washed his truck and began to doze off on the couch. Please welcome to campus Joyce Jones, the new Office Associate II (Title IX/Lucille Clifton House)! Steve and Mechelle had happily welcomed their first child, Tyler McNair, a year after getting married, followed by Trenton roughly five years later. She tried to explain to the boys what had happened, the best she could, but Trent wanted to read about his father in the paper. And now, from what we have been able to discern, he doesnt play professionally, is a father, and prefers to keep his distance from the spotlight. On the morning of July 4, 2009, Mechelle McNair woke up with a crushing headache. I got to dance all the time, I got to travel, and I got into the college I wanted to. And them. This violated his contract and created a rift. She was so happy at the end of their talk, when he said she could attend the next employee meeting. Lucille was a member of the Free Methodist Church in. Ex-Tennessee tight end Bo Scaife filled Tyler's closet with sneakers. Lucille McNair 's birthday is 06/18/1949 and is 73 years old. "I don't want him to look at me and say, 'Oh, my mom is just kind of relaxed,'" she says. (George Walker IV / The Tennessean via Imagn Content Services, LLC). When his father passed away, Steve McNair Jr. was a star wide receiver at Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He was a tenacious defender who helped his team win two state championships. The McNairs never had a lot,but Lucille saysthey had each other. He pictured his dad sitting in a pew, his leg sticking out in the aisle because the seat was too small for his giant body. Kazemi saw another woman leave the condo that McNair rented in Nashville in June. Elizabeth MerrillMerrill is a senior writer for ESPN. McNairs wife Michele cut his mother out of her grandchildrens life. It's his way of being around his brother still. His life would end on the 4th of July in 2009 at the hands of a girlfriend. I can't wallow in it. That drove Mechelle nuts, the waking up in the middle of the night. But it gets worse, she told Steve . 39119. Trusted by millions of genealogists since 2003 Trusted information source for millions of people worldwide I'm not going to do it.". Obviously this is just one side of the story, but what the HELL could this woman have done to Michelle to make her take her home away from her and prevent her from seeing her grandchildren??? She is dating someone, but meeting people has been a struggle. He took care of us. Besides his name, Steve Jr. also got his fathers athletic talents, and sounded, and looked just like him. The judgment and the feeling of the need to defend their loved one have been a struggle for the family. She always worried where he was. Maybe they would have been anyway, had Steve McNair not been killed. "He was the first person to come," Tyler says. The McNairs were selling their 26-room Nashville home in the upscale Green Hills neighborhood valued at $3.2 million at the time of his death. Lucille McNear (Cille) See Photos. Steve LaTreal McNair (born February 14, 1973 - July 4, 2009) nicknamed Air McNair, was a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He was 36 when he died, and he had just opened Gridiron9, a catfish-and-burger joint in north Nashville. "I know he's in his head," Steve would tell Mechelle. Obituaries Section. But her sons were terrified and confused. McNair had two children -- Steven L. McNair Jr. and Steven O'Brian Koran McNair -- before marrying Mechelle McNair. It's the most I've felt like a regular person, like nothing has happened." Lucille Mcnair passed away on July 31, 2019 in Seminole, Texas, Texas. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. It had been a long time since they'd been there. Its not totally surprising to see that as a significant other is often responsible for the demise of their spouse, especially when cheating, but often isnt every time, and it is hurtful to spread a false narrative because of statistics and stereotypes. She doesn't want to be a hindrance to him. She wasn't into sports, and she already had a boyfriend. Her mother, whom Steve had invited to live with the couple and their children after her husbands death, saw the report on the news and alerted Mechelle. One day these women gotta wake up and see why they are they largest group of divorced and single women in the world. He loved us. He's going to kick the world's ass. No information is available on her father. He felt comfortable in the country, near his siblings and his mother, Lucille. In happy times, they belted out SWV songs in Mechelle's little, red, two-seater Mercedes, his tiny head bobbing to the music. On the 2nd, Sahel was pulled over for driving drunk with Steve in the passenger seat, and the chef of the restaurant, Gridiron9, Steves business, was in the back seat. She has thought about becoming a foster parent. There were good times, too. McNair listed herself and her children as direct heirs, then listed the quarterback's other children elsewhere in the filing since the court had no immediate proof the children were legally Steve McNair's. The now 46-year-old widow continues to keep her partners memories alive through her work and hopes that his children do the same. lucille mcnair new housesage collective activewear topsage collective activewear top God and her friends and family who cooked and took the kids swimming and handled everything. buckwheat. In 2011, a legal spat between Mechelle and Lucille over property in Mississippi played out in the local news media. Mechelle didn't particularly want to go to such a tiny school. Eventually, he grew on her. Charles was born on October 12 1889, in Macon, Alabama, USA. Nine years after Mechelle McNair's world caved in, her oldest son, Tyler, is going to NYU on an academic scholarship. Nearly 5,000 people mourned McNair at Reed Green Coliseum on the campus of Southern Miss. "You know boys are going to be boys," she said. She made faces at him to try to get him to stop. He felt pressure from fans, students and coaches to stay on the basketball team. In 2006 . But did I know about her? The boys are so close that Trent sleeps in Tyler's bed when he's at college. "I mean, I'm here by myself. Mt Vernon. JavaScript is disabled. By Debbie Emery. When you walk into Lucille McNair's memory room,it's hard not be overwhelmed with the accomplishments of her sons, especially the oneknown as Steve "Air" McNair; alegacy she says beganwhen Steve was a young boy,following in the footsteps of his older brother Fred. And that I still don't sometimes. UCLAs Chip Kelly Now Has 4 More Years on Contract, OJ Simpson The Legal Commentator: Alex Murdaughs Guilt, New Orleans Saints NFL Draft RB Prospects, Browns Showing Interest In Eagles Brandon Graham, Houston Texans Release Starting Offensive Lineman, Baltimore Ravens: The Lamar Jackson Perspective, Washington Commanders Sign Former Chiefs Wide Receiver, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE. Yes Steve was a no good for doing her like that. As for Steven OBryant McNair, who was 15 at the time of Steve Sr.s death, he still resides in Mississippi. I feel like I'm the weakest person sometimes. She keeps McNair's football memorabilia in the basement, where Trent dribbles his basketball and Tyler practices his dance moves. "I'm finally doing something I love, and I was happy year-round. But McNair was persistent. An exceedingly unkind thing to do to Steves first two children, who had just lost their father. If I'm playing football and I hear her, I kind of just ignore it. "I loved him. But after Steve's death, the most intimate details of her life were fodder for public consumption. Since she loves taking care of others, shes even thinking of becoming a foster parent. When those kids get older, they're going to hate their mom from keeping them from their Grandmomma and that side of the family. Mechelle is 45 now, and she does not look old enough to be dropping a son off at college. Her co-workers did note that she was extremely overwhelmed that day, and Sahel said her life was horrible and thought she should end it.Either Steve or Sahel being taken from the crime scene (Ed Rode/AP Photo). And like many others that live double lives, when they die, the spouse gets it all. He sees flashes of his friend, and it helps him stay close to him. After all, her sons are almost grown-up. He sees flashes of his friend, and it helps him stay close to him. It's the most I've felt like a regular person, like nothing has happened.". She was a member of Ensley Presbyterian. He cleaned the fish when they got home that night, washed his truck and began to doze off on the couch. When he headed back east after winter break, Trent refused to go to the airport because he didn't want to cry. E:60's John Minton III and Ryan Smith contributed to this report. "I don't want him to look at me and say, 'Oh, my mom is just kind of relaxed,'" she says. Mechelle had always considered herself a private person. Tyler was her road dog. Sahel wanted to be the only girlfriend of a married man. There was one problem: His heart wasn't in it anymore, and he wanted to dance instead. Mechelle could handle algebra and first crushes, but sometimes, a boy needs a male figure in his life. But any will prior to the marriage would have been null and void under Tennessee law anyway, Cook said. OLIVE, MS (Mississippi News Now) - He led the Tennessee Titans to Super Bowl XXXIV, went to three Pro Bowls, was All-Pro once, threw 174 touchdowns against 119 interceptions, had 31,304 yards passing, and had an impressive 60.1 career completion percentage. Everyone changed. McNair gives a tour of the ranch he bought for his mother, Lucille. Her name was Sahel Kazemi. Steve McNair was born on Valentine's Day, and he died on the Fourth of July. As they enter new stages of their lives, they wonder what their father would think. His good friend Zach Piller, right, protected him on the field and served as one of his pallbearers. He said he couldn't live without his daddy and wanted to kill himself. By:Radar Staff. Wade Payne/AP Photo The couple had first met at Alcorn State, a historically black university in Claiborne County, Mississippi. She made faces at him to try to get him to stop. He was 36 when he died, and he had just opened Gridiron9, a catfish-and-burger joint in north Nashville. Her children had never seen her like that. Her constant phone calls wouldnt allow for much else. But his phone kept ringing. She stood up, the pain radiated from the right side of her skull, and she had to lie back down. When people say that to me, I'm always like, 'Where are they getting this from?' Mechelle appreciates the little things, such as the neighbor who used to replace the boys' basketball net whenever it looked worn, or the random texts Piller sends to the boys to ask how it's going. Former Titans Chris Johnson and Vince Young took the boys to the locker room, just as their dad had done. I don't buy into this whoa is me black sports wives mess. 3 in the NFL draft. Mechelle had always considered herself a private person. He was catching up with friends and hanging out at Waffle House at 2 in the morning. He didn't win the Heisman,but was taken 3rd in the NFL draft,heading to Houston to become an Oiler,and eventually,a Tennessee Titan. In 1999, McNair had back surgery mid-season and returned by the playoffs. For whatever reason, Michelle believes that Lucille should have to pay ($3,000/month) to live in the home that her millionaire son built. Funeral Home Services for Lucille are being provided by Ingram-Meridith Funeral Home - Albion. They met at Alcorn State, a historically black college in rural Claiborne County, Mississippi. She stood up, the pain radiated from the right side of her skull, and she had to lie back down. Her children had never seen her like that. He probably wouldn't have spent most of the summer dreading this moment, standing in front of a college dorm, trying not to cry. Then there was Mike Mu, a longtime family friend who used to run McNair's foundation. She says she protects her heart and her kids. Peep the video below. Unlike the rookies of the 2020s being thrust into the starting positions seconds after becoming an NFL player, McNairs career was carefully curated, learning from a more experienced QB in Chris Chandler and adjusting to the differences between being a College Ball QB versus an NFL one. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The closest town, if you want to call it that, is Lorman, a community with one known claim to fame, the Old Country Store, which serves fried chicken that people drive hours for. "I think it was important for [Lucille] because you see a part of your son you lost," Mechelle says. Twitter wasn't a factor yet, but there were plenty of media outlets to feed off of the stunning story of a Tennessee football hero killed by 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi, a woman with whom he'd been having an affair. Yes black women are evil. The fact that he was the quarterback everyone on campus was talking about held no currency with Mechelle. In the most confusing DUI arrest in history, Steve McNair was arrested for a DUI by consent in 2007, meaning he was a passenger in the vehicle of someone driving drunk.