Former Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair’s toughness and overall talent was an inspiration to a lot of younger people who grew watching him during his playing days in the NFL.
And one of those people is Oklahoma product and 2020 NFL Draft prospect, Jalen Hurts.
In an Instagram Live interview with ESPN’s Maria Taylor (via 247Sports), Hurts explained what it was about McNair that he looked up to.
“I’ve always had a thing with Steve McNair,” Hurts said. “Alcorn State, played with the Titans. The type of player he was, he was a dog. He could run, make all the plays, improvise plays, make something out of nothing. I like the way he plays and I like Russell Wilson. He was overlooked. He’s a baller, won a super bowl. Deshaun Watson, played against him. But he’s a special guy and special player.”
McNair was the No. 3 overall pick of the Houston Oilers back in 1995. He spent 11 seasons with the Oilers/Titans, leading the franchise to two AFC Championship appearances and one Super Bowl berth. He was also named co-MVP with Peyton Manning in 2003.
McNair was tragically shot and killed by Sahel Kazemi on July 4th, 2009, in what was an apparent murder-suicide, according to officials. Investigation Discovery is going to revisit the shooting in an episode of the show “Deadly Recall” on April 15th.
