Steve McNair retires from NFL after 13 seasons

Steve McNair retires from NFL after 13 seasons Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair announced his plans to retire from the NFL to his teammates on Thursday before the launch of coach John Harbaugh's first minicamp, making the retirement official with a press conference later today. Always battling injuries, the 2007 NFL season was especially frustrating for the quarterback, falling a victim to a back and shoulder injuries, which is the likely reason for his retirement. The injuries forced Steve McNair to play in only six games during the 2007 NFL season for two touchdown passes, four interceptions and lost seven fumbles, before he was placed on injured reserve in December, ending his season and what turns out, his career with the NFL. Steve McNair's retirement leaves the Baltimore Ravens with two quarterbacks - Kyle Boller and Troy Smith, but rumor is already circulating that Baltimore will seek a quarterback in the NFL draft later this month.

Steve McNair played collegiate football for Alcorn State University, one of the few institutions that recruited McNair to play quarterback, while most other colleges recruited McNair to play defensive back. McNair was drafted in 1995 as third pick by the Houston Oilers (later renamed Tennessee Titans), backing up or sharing time with quarterbacks Chris Chandler and Dave Krieg. Steve McNair remained with the Oilers after the team relocated and changed name to the Tennessee Titians in 1999 and played for the Titians until 2005. Than in 2006 the Titans and Ravens worked out a deal to send McNair to the Ravens for a 4th-round pick in the 2007 draft. On June 8, McNair flew to Baltimore, passed a physical, and was announced as the newest Ravens quarterback.

Published on 04/17/2008