9 and 27

Forever Titans

By Tennessee Titans

September 16^th, 2019

STEVE MCNAIR

By the time Steve McNair first set foot in Tennessee, he’d already become a household name.

McNair made a name for himself at Alcorn State, where he electrified crowds and excited NFL scouts. When the Houston Oilers picked him third overall in 1995 NFL Draft, the expectation was he’d reenergize a city.

That city ended up being Nashville, only it took time.

McNair eventually won fans over with his toughness.

It seemed there was at least one story for every year he was a Titan.

In 1999, McNair battled back to lead the team to a victory against the St. Louis Rams just six weeks after having surgery on his lower back. Later that same year, he displayed true grit in Super Bowl XXXIV.

In 2000, McNair was held out the entire game against the Pittsburgh Steelers because of a sternum injury, but when Neil O'Donnell was knocked out, he entered the game and drove the Titans down the field for a winning score.

In 2001, McNair stood up for an entire flight because of a painful lower back on a west coast trip to Oakland, but guided the Titans to a win the next night.

In 2002, despite not practicing all week, McNair took a pain-killing shot before a game against the New York Giants and finished them off before the shot wore off. Or close to it – McNair had to switch the football from his right hand to his left hand so he could raise it into the air in celebration because the pain-killing shot on the right side had actually worn off.

In 2003, his co-MVP season, McNair dislocated a finger on his throwing hand at Indianapolis, popped it back into place, and re-entered the game. In his mind, a piece of tape on the finger was all he needed.

The stories went on and on.

"Growing up on a farm, it brings out a lot of mental toughness and physical toughness in you,'' McNair once said. "When the competition level rises, the pain decreases. I just go out and compete."

"You know it is there, but at the same time you have to worry about what's important. Are you worried about this injury? Or are you worried about leading this team to victory?''

McNair made the No.9 a special one during his career.

McNair played from 1995-2005 with the Oilers/Titans before playing his final two NFL seasons (2006-2007) with the Baltimore Ravens. In 11 seasons with the Titans, McNair set team records and accumulated the most wins of any quarterback in Titans/Oilers history.

McNair, who led Tennessee's famous drive that ended up a yard short of forcing overtime in Super Bowl XXXIV, also made a big impact in the Nashville community through the Steve McNair Foundation. He was selected as the 2005 Titans Walter Payton Award Winner, given to the team's Community Man of the Year. He was a four-time Pro Bowler, and he was co-MVP of the NFL with Colts quarterback Peyton Manning in 2003.

McNair finished his career with 31,304 yards passing and 174 touchdowns. As a member of the Titans, he was credited with 20 game-winning drives in the regular season and postseason, finishing second all-time behind Warren Moon (23).

EDDIE GEORGE

Eddie George was the Heisman Trophy winner with the rugged playing style and beaming smile.

A first-round pick by the Houston Oilers in 1996, George made the No. 27 legendary during his playing days in Tennessee.

He was a tone-setter and difference maker.

During his playing days in Tennessee (1996-2003), George never missed a game – a remarkable span of 128 starts.

He was a 1,000-yard rusher seven times, and a four-time Pro Bowler. George racked up 36 100-yard games, and the Titans recorded a 30-6 record in those games.

George’s finest season came in 2000, when he rushed for 1,509 yards, scored 16 total touchdowns, and six 100-yard performances for the 13-3 Titans. Playing alongside McNair, George helped the Titans reach the playoffs four times in his eight years in Nashville, including a Super Bowl, and two AFC title games. George went over 1,300 yards in a season four times, and he racked up 12,668 all-purpose yards in his career.

And how about this for consistency? George averaged 1,160 rushing yards per season during his nine-year NFL career. Among all players who have played six seasons, only six averaged more rushing yards per season: Barry Sanders (1,527), Jim Brown (1,368), Payton (1,287), Martin (1,282), LaDainian Tomlinson (1,244) and Emmitt Smith (1,224). George, Tomlinson and Eric Dickerson are the only three NFL running backs to rush for 1,200 or more yards in each of their first five NFL seasons.

George is the Titans/Oilers record holder for career rushing yards (10,009), ahead of Hall of Famer Earl Campbell (9,407). He finished his career with 10,441 yards. George is the only running back in NFL history to record 300 or more carries for eight consecutive seasons. He is the organization’s all-time scrimmage yards leader (12,153).

Steve and Eddie

Eddie George and Steve McNair. Steve McNair and Eddie George.

Think of the Tennessee Titans, and two of their all-time greats come to mind because of their success on the field, their toughness and grit – and the impact they’ve made in the city of Nashville and beyond.

So it only seems appropriate McNair’s No. 9 jersey and George’s No. 27 jersey will be retired in a ceremony during the September 15 home opener against the Indianapolis Colts.

“To have it retired with my partner in crime, Steve McNair, it means a lot,” George said on the day the news was announced. “We were always linked at the hip during our playing careers. We’ve been through a lot of wars together both on and off the football field. To have our jerseys retired on the same day is huge for us.

“It has to be with Steve. 2 plus 7 equals 9. … It is totally appropriate to see us go in together.”

During the duo’s time together (1996–2003), the team’s 80-48 record (.625) ranked third in the NFL behind only the Green Bay Packers’ 88-40 record (.688) and the Denver Broncos’ 83-45 (.648) mark. Together they experienced four total playoff appearances (1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003), two division titles (2000 and 2002), two AFC Championship games (1999 and 2002) and an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIV.

McNair was tragically killed in Nashville on July 4, 2009, but his memory remains alive around the team, and in the city.

Earlier this year, George recalled a conversation he had with McNair at Super Bowl XXXIV.

“I put my arm around him and told him I loved him,” George said. “I just felt so connected with Steve.

“When I think back at all those memories we shared together, it was special. It was a special time in of our lives.”

Eddie George talked last week about how much having his No. 27 jersey retired by the organization meant to him and his family. Leading up to the big day, he also shared stories about McNair, whose No.9 jersey would also be honored, and retired.

On Sunday at Nissan Stadium, George fought back tears while standing next to McNair’s family and former teammates during the halftime ceremony. The crowd cheered as Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk talked about their place in franchise history.