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Steve McNair Allegedly Had 6-Year Affair With Exotic Dancer

Posted Jul 10, 2009 11:10AM By Matt Snyder (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Titans

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Steve McNairIn the wake of Steve McNair's murder at the hands of mistress Sahel Kazemi, it seems there's an unending path of negativity following the former NFL MVP. The latest? The New York Daily News is reporting, via an anonymous source, that McNair carried on a six-year affair with an exotic dancer in Minneapolis, Minn.

According to the source, whom the News referred to as a "former business manager (of the strip club in question)," McNair was a "frequent visitor to the club and had an intimate and extramarital relationship" with said dancer. According to this person, the woman knew McNair was married with children, but still didn't care.
"She liked money and athletes," the former business manager said on condition of anonymity. "She went out with athletes before. She was one of those girls who said, 'You're married? You have kids? So what?' Lets have fun.

"I can tell you that she was very upset when she learned that he had died," the former business manager added.
The dancer was said to have an understanding with McNair, and she never wanted more than that. He would give her rent money or make car payments, according to the source. McNair would buy her plane tickets to meet up in cities where he was not going to be with his wife. "Everything was always first-class," the source told the Daily News.

If these allegations are true, this is the latest in a line of marks against McNair, who was held in high esteem both on and off the football field as a family man with character. He was a leader on the field who earned great respect from teammates and opponents alike. He ran community outreach programs for children.

On the other hand, in the days following his murder, a string of bad news has unfolded.

Remembering Steve McNair

    Three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Steve McNair is remembered for being an incredibly hard worker, a dedicated teammate and a true NFL leader. Click through the gallery to recap McNair's memorable 13-year career.

    Ronen Zilberman, AP

    McNair signed a seven-year contract with the Houston Oilers after being selected third overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. As a prolific quarterback at Alcorn State, he shattered Division I-AA records, won the Walter Payton Award, and finished third in Heisman Trophy voting behind Rashaan Salaam and Ki-Jana Carter.

    Mark Phillips, AFP / Getty Images

    During his early NFL career, McNair remained a backup to Chris Chandler until starting a game in December 1996 against the Jaguars. In his first season as the Oilers' starter in 1997, he led the team to an 8-8 record, and his 2,665 passing yards were the most for the Oilers since Warren Moon in 1993. He also collected 674 yards on the ground, the third-highest total for a quarterback in NFL history.

    Pat Sullivan, AP

    McNair developed a special bond with his teammates as the franchise progressed and the team's name was changed to the Tennessee Titans. With emerging stars such as wide receiver Derrick Mason, pictured, McNair led the Titans to victory in seven of their last nine games during the 1999 season. Tennessee finished with a 13

    Elsa, Getty Images

    McNair and the Titans battled throughout the 1999 playoffs, including a shocking wild-card win over Buffalo on a play dubbed the "Music City Miracle." His most notable drive came in Super Bowl XXXIV, when he carried the Titans 87 yards in the final minute and 48 seconds, only to come up just shy when Kevin Dyson was tackled at the 1-yard-line. The Titans lost 23-16 in a heartbreaker.

    Morry Gash, AP

    Despite missing two games with an injured calf and ankle during the 2003 season, McNair finished with the best numbers of his career -- including 24 touchdown passes and a quarterback rating of 100.4. McNair and Peyton Manning were named co-NFL MVPs following the season. "I'm sharing it with Peyton Manning, I'm sharing it with a great guy," said McNair.

    John Russell, AP

    Titans head coach Jeff Fisher, left, told The Tennessean that he'll always remember McNair as one of his favorite players. "It is an extremely emotional moment and I don

    Mark Humphrey, AP

    McNair, referred to as a "warrior" by former teammate Al Del Greco, fought through numerous aches and pains during his career. He missed eight games in 2004 with a bruised sternum, but rebounded for a successful closing season with the Titans in 2005.

    Mark Humphrey, AP

    In June 2006, McNair's long stay with the Titans ended with a trade to Baltimore, where he played the final two seasons of his career. He led the Ravens to a 13-3 record and an AFC South championship in 2006 before faltering in 2007 due to back and shoulder injuries.

    Mark Humphrey, AP

    With both the Titans and Ravens, the respected veteran paved the way for young black quarterbacks such as Vince Young, right, and Troy Smith. "He taught me so much - not about the game, but about life, and I owe him a great deal," said Young.

    Andy Lyons, Getty Images



First of all, McNair was killed by his 20-year-old mistress, whom he at the very least helped to purchase a Cadillac Escalade. In the days leading up to his death, his wife was said to not have heard from him in days. Kazemi apparently thought McNair was going to divorce his wife and live with her, but Mechelle McNair allegedly knew of no such plans.

This latest news, if true, just further tramples on the once-mighty legacy built by McNair in the minds of some. Others just want him to be able to rest in peace. Regardless, it seems as though reporters are going to keep digging, and it appears they are going to keep finding things to pass along. Where there's smoke, there's fire.

McNair retired from football after the 2007 season with a 91-62 record as a starting quarterback. He won the Associated Press MVP in 2003 and played in Super Bowl XXXIV, famously leading the Tennessee Titans to within one yard of scoring a game-tying touchdown as time expired. He was just 36 years old when he passed away, and is survived by his wife and four children.

Tags: sahel+kazemi, SahelKazemi, steve+mcnair, SteveMcnair

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