Alcorn President Felecia M. Nave to join McNair family and Tennessee Titans for Steve “Air II” McNair’s No. 9 jersey retirement ceremony

Alcorn President Felecia M. Nave to join McNair family and Tennessee Titans for Steve “Air II” McNair’s No. 9 jersey retirement ceremony

During halftime of their home opener versus the Indianapolis Colts on Sun. Sept. 15, the NFL’s Tennessee Titans will retire Alcorn sports legend Steve “Air II” McNair's No. 9 jersey. Alcorn State University’s 20^th president, Dr. Felecia M. Nave will participate in the ceremony and make a special announcement on behalf of the university.

Remembered and celebrated as a prolific student-athlete at Alcorn while setting several university, conference, and NCAA records, Steve McNair is regarded as one of the greatest college and NFL football players in history. He was a four-year letter winner and Alcorn’s all-time career passing leader (14,496), all-time career completions leader (958), and all-time career passing touchdowns leader (119). McNair is the only player in history to be a four-time SWAC Offensive Player of the Year (1991-94) while guiding the Braves to both the 1992 and 1994 SWAC Championships.

McNair capped his collegiate career as a Heisman Trophy Finalist and the FCS All-Time Passing Leader (14,496) and FCS All-Time Total Yards Leader (16, 823), a record that still stands today. He was both an NCAA First-Team All-American and American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) First-Team All-American in 1994. McNair won the 1994 Walter Payton Award for being the top player in I-AA. He also earned the 1994 Eddie Robinson Trophy for being the top HBCU player in the country. McNair was a Dean’s List scholar and graduated from Alcorn State University in the spring of 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education.

Honored to participate in the program, President Nave expressed her appreciation to the Titans organization and the McNair family for the inclusion of Alcorn in the ceremony.

“Without question, Steve McNair is one of the most accomplished athletes in the history of Alcorn State University, the state of Mississippi, the SWAC, NCAA, and the Tennessee Titans,” said Felecia M. Nave, Alcorn president. Nave concluded, “Alcorn is thankful for the opportunity to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime and well-deserved honor for one of our favorite sons.”
McNair ‘s longtime teammate Eddie George will also be honored by having his jersey retired as the two will join six other former Titans to have their numbers retired by the organization.

McNair was drafted out of Alcorn, by the then Houston Oilers, as the third overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft and the highest HBCU draftee in NFL history. He played thirteen years in the league accumulating 31,304 yards, 174 touchdowns and was named the league's co-MVP (with Peyton Manning) in 2003.  earned three Pro Bowl nods (2000, 2003, 2005), and in 1999 led the Titans to their only Super Bowl appearance. McNair spent the last two seasons of his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens.