| Subject: Re: sdfsa |
Author:
awedf
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Date Posted: 14:14:31 07/06/09 Mon
In reply to:
awdfad
's message, "Re: sdfsa" on 14:11:27 07/06/09 Mon
>>>>>>>>ONE yard. A measly three feet--36 inches--a mere
>>>>>baby
>>>>>>>>step for Steve McNair.
>>>>>>>>But it's that scant distance which proved to be
>>>the
>>>>>>>>longest yard for the Tennessee Titans star
>>>>>>quarterback
>>>>>>>>as the world watched his team come up one yard
>>>>short
>>>>>>>>After the game, after the media was gone, after
>>>the
>>>>>>>>on-field celebration by the St. Louis Rams had
>>>>>>>>subsided, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound Pro Bowler
>>cried
>>>>>>>>like a baby. And to this day--even as the
>>>>>32-year-old
>>>>>>>>relaxes with his family in their magnificent
>>>>>>Nashville
>>>>>>>>home, and he finds himself in the midst of
>>another
>>>>>>>>football season--that game continues to haunt
>>him.
>>>>>>>>"It's always going to be there," McNair says. "I
>>>>>>don't
>>>>>>>>care how many people say that they don't think
>>>>about
>>>>>>>>it, you always replay it in your mind. I think
>>>>about
>>>>>>>>how sad and how bad I was feeling. It was a low
>>>>>point
>>>>>>>>in my career because I think that we had a
>chance
>>>>to
>>>>>>>>win the game if we would have gotten that yard
>>and
>>>>>>>>went into overtime. The one yard short still
>>hurts
>>>>>>>>because I haven't been back. It will never go
>>away
>>>>>>>>until I get back to the Super Bowl. And not only
>>>>get
>>>>>>>>back, but win. That's a motivating factor for
>>me."
>>>>>>>>If anybody can go the extra yard and slay the
>>>>ghosts
>>>>>>>>of a Super Bowl past, it's McNair. Having grown
>>up
>>>>>>>>dirt-poor in Mississippi, McNair's life and
>>career
>>>>>>are
>>>>>>>>filled with stories of succeeding against the
>>>odds,
>>>>>>>>triumph over adversity. In 11 seasons in the
>NFL,
>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>devoted husband and father of four sons has
>>>>>>>>accomplished feats--on and off the field--that
>>few
>>>>>>>>thought he would.
>>>>>>>>In fact, with all of his accomplishments (which
>>>>>>>>include being the league's co-MVP in 2003, and
>>>>>>>>becoming only the fifth player in NFL history to
>>>>>pass
>>>>>>>>for 20,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards), and
>>>all
>>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>his setbacks (including a myriad of injuries and
>>>>>>>>surgeries to repair his toe, ankle, knee, back,
>>>>>>chest,
>>>>>>>>hip, and his shoulder twice) he has managed to
>>>stay
>>>>>>>>self-effacing.
>>>>>>>>McNair now reveals that before his latest
>surgery
>>>>>>this
>>>>>>>>off-season--an unorthodox procedure where
>>surgeons
>>>>>>>>took a piece of bone from his right hip and
>>>screwed
>>>>>>it
>>>>>>>>to his sternum--his growing list of injuries
>>>>>actually
>>>>>>>>forced him to think about walking away from the
>>>>>game.
>>>>>>>>"I don't want to have my family pushing me
>around
>>>>in
>>>>>>a
>>>>>>>>wheelchair when I'm 50 because I have been
>beaten
>>>>up
>>>>>>>>so bad," he says. "But the surgery went great.
>>For
>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>first time in four or five years, I feel pretty
>>>>>>normal
>>>>>>>>now."
>>>>>>>>After deciding to suit up for another season,
>>>>McNair
>>>>>>>>hired a personal trainer, and went on a strict
>>>diet
>>>>>>>>for the first time in his life. "I wanted to get
>>>in
>>>>>>>>the best shape of my life," says McNair, who
>last
>>>>>>year
>>>>>>>>was named No. 3 on USA Today's list of the 10
>>>>>>toughest
>>>>>>>>athletes in sports. "I now have a little more
>>>>bounce
>>>>>>>>in my step. I wanted to give myself a chance to
>>>>play
>>>>>>>>again."
>>>>>>>>The diet he followed included shying away from
>>his
>>>>>>>>mother's cooking. "Candied yams, fried chicken,
>>>>>>>>smothered chicken, greens. She knows how to do
>>all
>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>that. And she does it well," McNair says. "I
>love
>>>>>>soul
>>>>>>>>food, but at the same time, I had to slow down,
>>>not
>>>>>>>>stop, but slow down. I had to start eating
>right.
>>>>>She
>>>>>>>>still cooks for me."
>>>>>>>>Not only does she cook for him, but rarely does
>a
>>>>>day
>>>>>>>>go by without McNair talking with his mother,
>>>>>>Lucille,
>>>>>>>>the backbone of the McNair family, the
>>>>strong-willed
>>>>>>>>woman who raised him and his four brothers by
>>>>>herself
>>>>>>>>on a small farm in Mount Olive, Miss. When
>>talking
>>>>>>>>about those days growing up, McNair doesn't
>mince
>>>>>>>>words. "I used to see my mother scratch for
>every
>>>>>>>>penny. To make us happy, she did without," he
>>>says.
>>>>>>>>"It was hard seeing my mother work from 11 p.m.
>>to
>>>>7
>>>>>>>>a.m. I remember seeing her closing her door and
>>>>>>crying
>>>>>>>>because she didn't think that she was doing a
>>good
>>>>>>job
>>>>>>>>of raising us, and feeling like she didn't have
>>>>>>enough
>>>>>>>>income to take care of us."
>>>>>>>>McNair says he and his brothers did everything
>>>they
>>>>>>>>could to help make ends meet, including work on
>>>the
>>>>>>>>farm raising pigs, chickens and cows, and
>plowing
>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>garden with a mule. "We got summer jobs, mowing
>>>>>yards
>>>>>>>>when I was 8 or 9 years old," he says. "It put a
>>>>lot
>>>>>>>>of pressure on my oldest brother. He had to grow
>>>up
>>>>>>>>faster than he should have. He had to be a
>>>>>>>>father-figure for us. He made sure we did [our]
>>>>>>>>homework ... That actually made us close as a
>>>>>>family."
>>>>>>>>Faith and hard work helped the McNair family get
>>>>>>>>through the tough times. "It was hard on us," he
>>>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>"But we went to church every Sunday. That always
>>>>>made
>>>>>>>>us feel good. Did a lot of things together.
>>>>Whenever
>>>>>>>>you saw one, you saw everybody. We were a very
>>>>close
>>>>>>>>family that made the sacrifices we needed to
>>>>>>survive."
>>>>>>>>The former Alcorn State University star says
>he's
>>>a
>>>>>>>>"country boy" who can "put on a pair of boots,
>>>some
>>>>>>>>jeans and a T-shirt" and" sit and do nothing,
>and
>>>>>>>>still have fun. I'm not financially in need
>>>>anymore,
>>>>>>>>but I'm not going to change my lifestyle," he
>>>says.
>>>>>>>>McNair has a 643-acre ranch back in Mississippi,
>>>>>>where
>>>>>>>>he raises some 250 cattle and 30 horses.
>>>>Ironically,
>>>>>>>>it's the same land his mother used to work on.
>>>>"I'll
>>>>>>>>never forget the day when I took her out there
>to
>>>>>>look
>>>>>>>>at the property for the first time," he says.
>>"All
>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>sudden, her eyes started watering and tears
>>>started
>>>>>>>>coming down her face. I said, 'What, you don't
>>>like
>>>>>>>>it?' That was when she told me that it was the
>>>land
>>>>>>>>she used to work" as a laborer.
>>>>>>>>ONE yard. A measly three feet--36 inches--a mere
>>>>>baby
>>>>>>>>step for Steve McNair.
>>>>>>>>But it's that scant distance which proved to be
>>>the
>>>>>>>>longest yard for the Tennessee Titans star
>>>>>>quarterback
>>>>>>>>as the world watched his team come up one yard
>>>>short
>>>>>>>>on a last-second-tying touchdown in Super Bowl
>>>>>XXXIV.
>>>>>>>>After the game, after the media was gone, after
>>>the
>>>>>>>>on-field celebration by the St. Louis Rams had
>>>>>>>>subsided, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound Pro Bowler
>>cried
>>>>>>>>like a baby. And to this day--even as the
>>>>>32-year-old
>>>>>>>>relaxes with his family in their magnificent
>>>>>>Nashville
>>>>>>>>home, and he finds himself in the midst of
>>another
>>>>>>>>football season--that game continues to haunt
>>him.
>>>>>>>>"It's always going to be there," McNair says. "I
>>>>>>don't
>>>>>>>>care how many people say that they don't think
>>>>about
>>>>>>>>it, you always replay it in your mind. I think
>>>>about
>>>>>>>>how sad and how bad I was feeling. It was a low
>>>>>point
>>>>>>>>in my career because I think that we had a
>chance
>>>>to
>>>>>>>>win the game if we would have gotten that yard
>>and
>>>>>>>>went into overtime. The one yard short still
>>hurts
>>>>>>>>because I haven't been back. It will never go
>>away
>>>>>>>>until I get back to the Super Bowl. And not only
>>>>get
>>>>>>>>back, but win. That's a motivating factor for
>>me."
>>>>>>>>If anybody can go the extra yard and slay the
>>>>ghosts
>>>>>>>>of a Super Bowl past, it's McNair. Having grown
>>up
>>>>>>>>dirt-poor in Mississippi, McNair's life and
>>career
>>>>>>are
>>>>>>>>filled with stories of succeeding against the
>>>odds,
>>>>>>>>triumph over adversity. In 11 seasons in the
>NFL,
>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>devoted husband and father of four sons has
>>>>>>>>accomplished feats--on and off the field--that
>>few
>>>>>>>>thought he would.
>>>>>>>>In fact, with all of his accomplishments (which
>>>>>>>>include being the league's co-MVP in 2003, and
>>>>>>>>becoming only the fifth player in NFL history to
>>>>>pass
>>>>>>>>for 20,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards), and
>>>all
>>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>his setbacks (including a myriad of injuries and
>>>>>>>>surgeries to repair his toe, ankle, knee, back,
>>>>>>chest,
>>>>>>>>hip, and his shoulder twice) he has managed to
>>>stay
>>>>>>>>self-effacing.
>>>>>>>>McNair now reveals that before his latest
>surgery
>>>>>>this
>>>>>>>>off-season--an unorthodox procedure where
>>surgeons
>>>>>>>>took a piece of bone from his right hip and
>>>screwed
>>>>>>it
>>>>>>>>to his sternum--his growing list of injuries
>>>>>actually
>>>>>>>>forced him to think about walking away from the
>>>>>game.
>>>>>>>>"I don't want to have my family pushing me
>around
>>>>in
>>>>>>a
>>>>>>>>wheelchair when I'm 50 because I have been
>beaten
>>>>up
>>>>>>>>so bad," he says. "But the surgery went great.
>>For
>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>first time in four or five years, I feel pretty
>>>>>>normal
>>>>>>>>now."
>>>>>>>>After deciding to suit up for another season,
>>>>McNair
>>>>>>>>hired a personal trainer, and went on a strict
>>>diet
>>>>>>>>for the first time in his life. "I wanted to get
>>>in
>>>>>>>>the best shape of my life," says McNair, who
>last
>>>>>>year
>>>>>>>>was named No. 3 on USA Today's list of the 10
>>>>>>toughest
>>>>>>>>athletes in sports. "I now have a little more
>>>>bounce
>>>>>>>>in my step. I wanted to give myself a chance to
>>>>play
>>>>>>>>again."
>>>>>>>>The diet he followed included shying away from
>>his
>>>>>>>>mother's cooking. "Candied yams, fried chicken,
>>>>>>>>smothered chicken, greens. She knows how to do
>>all
>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>that. And she does it well," McNair says. "I
>love
>>>>>>soul
>>>>>>>>food, but at the same time, I had to slow down,
>>>not
>>>>>>>>stop, but slow down. I had to start eating
>right.
>>>>>She
>>>>>>>>still cooks for me."
>>>>>>>>Not only does she cook for him, but rarely does
>a
>>>>>day
>>>>>>>>go by without McNair talking with his mother,
>>>>>>Lucille,
>>>>>>>>the backbone of the McNair family, the
>>>>strong-willed
>>>>>>>>woman who raised him and his four brothers by
>>>>>herself
>>>>>>>>on a small farm in Mount Olive, Miss. When
>>talking
>>>>>>>>about those days growing up, McNair doesn't
>mince
>>>>>>>>words. "I used to see my mother scratch for
>every
>>>>>>>>penny. To make us happy, she did without," he
>>>says.
>>>>>>>>"It was hard seeing my mother work from 11 p.m.
>>to
>>>>7
>>>>>>>>a.m. I remember seeing her closing her door and
>>>>>>crying
>>>>>>>>because she didn't think that she was doing a
>>good
>>>>>>job
>>>>>>>>of raising us, and feeling like she didn't have
>>>>>>enough
>>>>>>>>income to take care of us."
>>>>>>>>McNair says he and his brothers did everything
>>>they
>>>>>>>>could to help make ends meet, including work on
>>>the
>>>>>>>>farm raising pigs, chickens and cows, and
>plowing
>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>garden with a mule. "We got summer jobs, mowing
>>>>>yards
>>>>>>>>when I was 8 or 9 years old," he says. "It put a
>>>>lot
>>>>>>>>of pressure on my oldest brother. He had to grow
>>>up
>>>>>>>>faster than he should have. He had to be a
>>>>>>>>father-figure for us. He made sure we did [our]
>>>>>>>>homework ... That actually made us close as a
>>>>>>family."
>>>>>>>>Faith and hard work helped the McNair family get
>>>>>>>>through the tough times. "It was hard on us," he
>>>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>"But we went to church every Sunday. That always
>>>>>made
>>>>>>>>us feel good. Did a lot of things together.
>>>>Whenever
>>>>>>>>you saw one, you saw everybody. We were a very
>>>>close
>>>>>>>>family that made the sacrifices we needed to
>>>>>>survive."
>>>>>>>>The former Alcorn State University star says
>he's
>>>a
>>>>>>>>"country boy" who can "put on a pair of boots,
>>>some
>>>>>>>>jeans and a T-shirt" and" sit and do nothing,
>and
>>>>>>>>still have fun. I'm not financially in need
>>>>anymore,
>>>>>>>>but I'm not going to change my lifestyle," he
>>>says.
>>>>>>>>McNair has a 643-acre ranch back in Mississippi,
>>>>>>where
>>>>>>>>he raises some 250 cattle and 30 horses.
>>>>Ironically,
>>>>>>>>it's the same land his mother used to work on.
>>>>"I'll
>>>>>>>>never forget the day when I took her out there
>to
>>>>>>look
>>>>>>>>at the property for the first time," he says.
>>"All
>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>sudden, her eyes started watering and tears
>>>started
>>>>>>>>coming down her face. I said, 'What, you don't
>>>like
>>>>>>>>it?' That was when she told me that it was the
>>>land
>>>>>>>>she used to work" as a laborer.
>>>>>>>>ONE yard. A measly three feet--36 inches--a mere
>>>>>baby
>>>>>>>>step for Steve McNair.
>>>>>>>>But it's that scant distance which proved to be
>>>the
>>>>>>>>longest yard for the Tennessee Titans star
>>>>>>quarterback
>>>>>>>>as the world watched his team come up one yard
>>>>short
>>>>>>>>on a last-second-tying touchdown in Super Bowl
>>>>>XXXIV.
>>>>>>>>After the game, after the media was gone, after
>>>the
>>>>>>>>on-field celebration by the St. Louis Rams had
>>>>>>>>subsided, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound Pro Bowler
>>cried
>>>>>>>>like a baby. And to this day--even as the
>>>>>32-year-old
>>>>>>>>relaxes with his family in their magnificent
>>>>>>Nashville
>>>>>>>>home, and he finds himself in the midst of
>>another
>>>>>>>>football season--that game continues to haunt
>>him.
>>>>>>>>"It's always going to be there," McNair says. "I
>>>>>>don't
>>>>>>>>care how many people say that they don't think
>>>>about
>>>>>>>>it, you always replay it in your mind. I think
>>>>about
>>>>>>>>how sad and how bad I was feeling. It was a low
>>>>>point
>>>>>>>>in my career because I think that we had a
>chance
>>>>to
>>>>>>>>win the game if we would have gotten that yard
>>and
>>>>>>>>went into overtime. The one yard short still
>>hurts
>>>>>>>>because I haven't been back. It will never go
>>away
>>>>>>>>until I get back to the Super Bowl. And not only
>>>>get
>>>>>>>>back, but win. That's a motivating factor for
>>me."
>>>>>>>>If anybody can go the extra yard and slay the
>>>>ghosts
>>>>>>>>of a Super Bowl past, it's McNair. Having grown
>>up
>>>>>>>>dirt-poor in Mississippi, McNair's life and
>>career
>>>>>>are
>>>>>>>>filled with stories of succeeding against the
>>>odds,
>>>>>>>>triumph over adversity. In 11 seasons in the
>NFL,
>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>devoted husband and father of four sons has
>>>>>>>>accomplished feats--on and off the field--that
>>few
>>>>>>>>thought he would.
>>>>>>>>In fact, with all of his accomplishments (which
>>>>>>>>include being the league's co-MVP in 2003, and
>>>>>>>>becoming only the fifth player in NFL history to
>>>>>pass
>>>>>>>>for 20,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards), and
>>>all
>>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>his setbacks (including a myriad of injuries and
>>>>>>>>surgeries to repair his toe, ankle, knee, back,
>>>>>>chest,
>>>>>>>>hip, and his shoulder twice) he has managed to
>>>stay
>>>>>>>>self-effacing.
>>>>>>>>McNair now reveals that before his latest
>surgery
>>>>>>this
>>>>>>>>off-season--an unorthodox procedure where
>>surgeons
>>>>>>>>took a piece of bone from his right hip and
>>>screwed
>>>>>>it
>>>>>>>>to his sternum--his growing list of injuries
>>>>>actually
>>>>>>>>forced him to think about walking away from the
>>>>>game.
>>>>>>>>"I don't want to have my family pushing me
>around
>>>>in
>>>>>>a
>>>>>>>>wheelchair when I'm 50 because I have been
>beaten
>>>>up
>>>>>>>>so bad," he says. "But the surgery went great.
>>For
>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>first time in four or five years, I feel pretty
>>>>>>normal
>>>>>>>>now."
>>>>>>>>After deciding to suit up for another season,
>>>>McNair
>>>>>>>>hired a personal trainer, and went on a strict
>>>diet
>>>>>>>>for the first time in his life. "I wanted to get
>>>in
>>>>>>>>the best shape of my life," says McNair, who
>last
>>>>>>year
>>>>>>>>was named No. 3 on USA Today's list of the 10
>>>>>>toughest
>>>>>>>>athletes in sports. "I now have a little more
>>>>bounce
>>>>>>>>in my step. I wanted to give myself a chance to
>>>>play
>>>>>>>>again."
>>>>>>>>The diet he followed included shying away from
>>his
>>>>>>>>mother's cooking. "Candied yams, fried chicken,
>>>>>>>>smothered chicken, greens. She knows how to do
>>all
>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>that. And she does it well," McNair says. "I
>love
>>>>>>soul
>>>>>>>>food, but at the same time, I had to slow down,
>>>not
>>>>>>>>stop, but slow down. I had to start eating
>right.
>>>>>She
>>>>>>>>still cooks for me."
>>>>>>>>Not only does she cook for him, but rarely does
>a
>>>>>day
>>>>>>>>go by without McNair talking with his mother,
>>>>>>Lucille,
>>>>>>>>the backbone of the McNair family, the
>>>>strong-willed
>>>>>>>>woman who raised him and his four brothers by
>>>>>herself
>>>>>>>>on a small farm in Mount Olive, Miss. When
>>talking
>>>>>>>>about those days growing up, McNair doesn't
>mince
>>>>>>>>words. "I used to see my mother scratch for
>every
>>>>>>>>penny. To make us happy, she did without," he
>>>says.
>>>>>>>>"It was hard seeing my mother work from 11 p.m.
>>to
>>>>7
>>>>>>>>a.m. I remember seeing her closing her door and
>>>>>>crying
>>>>>>>>because she didn't think that she was doing a
>>good
>>>>>>job
>>>>>>>>of raising us, and feeling like she didn't have
>>>>>>enough
>>>>>>>>income to take care of us."
>>>>>>>>McNair says he and his brothers did everything
>>>they
>>>>>>>>could to help make ends meet, including work on
>>>the
>>>>>>>>farm raising pigs, chickens and cows, and
>plowing
>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>garden with a mule. "We got summer jobs, mowing
>>>>>yards
>>>>>>>>when I was 8 or 9 years old," he says. "It put a
>>>>lot
>>>>>>>>of pressure on my oldest brother. He had to grow
>>>up
>>>>>>>>faster than he should have. He had to be a
>>>>>>>>father-figure for us. He made sure we did [our]
>>>>>>>>homework ... That actually made us close as a
>>>>>>family."
>>>>>>>>Faith and hard work helped the McNair family get
>>>>>>>>through the tough times. "It was hard on us," he
>>>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>"But we went to church every Sunday. That always
>>>>>made
>>>>>>>>us feel good. Did a lot of things together.
>>>>Whenever
>>>>>>>>you saw one, you saw everybody. We were a very
>>>>close
>>>>>>>>family that made the sacrifices we needed to
>>>>>>survive."
>>>>>>>>The former Alcorn State University star says
>he's
>>>a
>>>>>>>>"country boy" who can "put on a pair of boots,
>>>some
>>>>>>>>jeans and a T-shirt" and" sit and do nothing,
>and
>>>>>>>>still have fun. I'm not financially in need
>>>>anymore,
>>>>>>>>but I'm not going to change my lifestyle," he
>>>says.
>>>>>>>>McNair has a 643-acre ranch back in Mississippi,
>>>>>>where
>>>>>>>>he raises some 250 cattle and 30 horses.
>>>>Ironically,
>>>>>>>>it's the same land his mother used to work on.
>>>>"I'll
>>>>>>>>never forget the day when I took her out there
>to
>>>>>>look
>>>>>>>>at the property for the first time," he says.
>>"All
>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>sudden, her eyes started watering and tears
>>>started
>>>>>>>>coming down her face. I said, 'What, you don't
>>>like
>>>>>>>>it?' That was when she told me that it was the
>>>land
>>>>>>>>she used to work" as a laborer.
>>>>>>>>ONE yard. A measly three feet--36 inches--a mere
>>>>>baby
>>>>>>>>step for Steve McNair.
>>>>>>>>But it's that scant distance which proved to be
>>>the
>>>>>>>>longest yard for the Tennessee Titans star
>>>>>>quarterback
>>>>>>>>as the world watched his team come up one yard
>>>>short
>>>>>>>>on a last-second-tying touchdown in Super Bowl
>>>>>XXXIV.
>>>>>>>>After the game, after the media was gone, after
>>>the
>>>>>>>>on-field celebration by the St. Louis Rams had
>>>>>>>>subsided, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound Pro Bowler
>>cried
>>>>>>>>like a baby. And to this day--even as the
>>>>>32-year-old
>>>>>>>>relaxes with his family in their magnificent
>>>>>>Nashville
>>>>>>>>home, and he finds himself in the midst of
>>another
>>>>>>>>football season--that game continues to haunt
>>him.
>>>>>>>>"It's always going to be there," McNair says. "I
>>>>>>don't
>>>>>>>>care how many people say that they don't think
>>>>about
>>>>>>>>it, you always replay it in your mind. I think
>>>>about
>>>>>>>>how sad and how bad I was feeling. It was a low
>>>>>point
>>>>>>>>in my career because I think that we had a
>chance
>>>>to
>>>>>>>>win the game if we would have gotten that yard
>>and
>>>>>>>>went into overtime. The one yard short still
>>hurts
>>>>>>>>because I haven't been back. It will never go
>>away
>>>>>>>>until I get back to the Super Bowl. And not only
>>>>get
>>>>>>>>back, but win. That's a motivating factor for
>>me."
>>>>>>>>If anybody can go the extra yard and slay the
>>>>ghosts
>>>>>>>>of a Super Bowl past, it's McNair. Having grown
>>up
>>>>>>>>dirt-poor in Mississippi, McNair's life and
>>career
>>>>>>are
>>>>>>>>filled with stories of succeeding against the
>>>odds,
>>>>>>>>triumph over adversity. In 11 seasons in the
>NFL,
>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>devoted husband and father of four sons has
>>>>>>>>accomplished feats--on and off the field--that
>>few
>>>>>>>>thought he would.
>>>>>>>>In fact, with all of his accomplishments (which
>>>>>>>>include being the league's co-MVP in 2003, and
>>>>>>>>becoming only the fifth player in NFL history to
>>>>>pass
>>>>>>>>for 20,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards), and
>>>all
>>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>his setbacks (including a myriad of injuries and
>>>>>>>>surgeries to repair his toe, ankle, knee, back,
>>>>>>chest,
>>>>>>>>hip, and his shoulder twice) he has managed to
>>>stay
>>>>>>>>self-effacing.
>>>>>>>>McNair now reveals that before his latest
>surgery
>>>>>>this
>>>>>>>>off-season--an unorthodox procedure where
>>surgeons
>>>>>>>>took a piece of bone from his right hip and
>>>screwed
>>>>>>it
>>>>>>>>to his sternum--his growing list of injuries
>>>>>actually
>>>>>>>>forced him to think about walking away from the
>>>>>game.
>>>>>>>>"I don't want to have my family pushing me
>around
>>>>in
>>>>>>a
>>>>>>>>wheelchair when I'm 50 because I have been
>beaten
>>>>up
>>>>>>>>so bad," he says. "But the surgery went great.
>>For
>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>first time in four or five years, I feel pretty
>>>>>>normal
>>>>>>>>now."
>>>>>>>>After deciding to suit up for another season,
>>>>McNair
>>>>>>>>hired a personal trainer, and went on a strict
>>>diet
>>>>>>>>for the first time in his life. "I wanted to get
>>>in
>>>>>>>>the best shape of my life," says McNair, who
>last
>>>>>>year
>>>>>>>>was named No. 3 on USA Today's list of the 10
>>>>>>toughest
>>>>>>>>athletes in sports. "I now have a little more
>>>>bounce
>>>>>>>>in my step. I wanted to give myself a chance to
>>>>play
>>>>>>>>again."
>>>>>>>>The diet he followed included shying away from
>>his
>>>>>>>>mother's cooking. "Candied yams, fried chicken,
>>>>>>>>smothered chicken, greens. She knows how to do
>>all
>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>that. And she does it well," McNair says. "I
>love
>>>>>>soul
>>>>>>>>food, but at the same time, I had to slow down,
>>>not
>>>>>>>>stop, but slow down. I had to start eating
>right.
>>>>>She
>>>>>>>>still cooks for me."
>>>>>>>>Not only does she cook for him, but rarely does
>a
>>>>>day
>>>>>>>>go by without McNair talking with his mother,
>>>>>>Lucille,
>>>>>>>>the backbone of the McNair family, the
>>>>strong-willed
>>>>>>>>woman who raised him and his four brothers by
>>>>>herself
>>>>>>>>on a small farm in Mount Olive, Miss. When
>>talking
>>>>>>>>about those days growing up, McNair doesn't
>mince
>>>>>>>>words. "I used to see my mother scratch for
>every
>>>>>>>>penny. To make us happy, she did without," he
>>>says.
>>>>>>>>"It was hard seeing my mother work from 11 p.m.
>>to
>>>>7
>>>>>>>>a.m. I remember seeing her closing her door and
>>>>>>crying
>>>>>>>>because she didn't think that she was doing a
>>good
>>>>>>job
>>>>>>>>of raising us, and feeling like she didn't have
>>>>>>enough
>>>>>>>>income to take care of us."
>>>>>>>>McNair says he and his brothers did everything
>>>they
>>>>>>>>could to help make ends meet, including work on
>>>the
>>>>>>>>farm raising pigs, chickens and cows, and
>plowing
>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>garden with a mule. "We got summer jobs, mowing
>>>>>yards
>>>>>>>>when I was 8 or 9 years old," he says. "It put a
>>>>lot
>>>>>>>>of pressure on my oldest brother. He had to grow
>>>up
>>>>>>>>faster than he should have. He had to be a
>>>>>>>>father-figure for us. He made sure we did [our]
>>>>>>>>homework ... That actually made us close as a
>>>>>>family."
>>>>>>>>Faith and hard work helped the McNair family get
>>>>>>>>through the tough times. "It was hard on us," he
>>>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>"But we went to church every Sunday. That always
>>>>>made
>>>>>>>>us feel good. Did a lot of things together.
>>>>Whenever
>>>>>>>>you saw one, you saw everybody. We were a very
>>>>close
>>>>>>>>family that made the sacrifices we needed to
>>>>>>survive."
>>>>>>>>The former Alcorn State University star says
>he's
>>>a
>>>>>>>>"country boy" who can "put on a pair of boots,
>>>some
>>>>>>>>jeans and a T-shirt" and" sit and do nothing,
>and
>>>>>>>>still have fun. I'm not financially in need
>>>>anymore,
>>>>>>>>but I'm not going to change my lifestyle," he
>>>says.
>>>>>>>>McNair has a 643-acre ranch back in Mississippi,
>>>>>>where
>>>>>>>>he raises some 250 cattle and 30 horses.
>>>>Ironically,
>>>>>>>>it's the same land his mother used to work on.
>>>>"I'll
>>>>>>>>never forget the day when I took her out there
>to
>>>>>>look
>>>>>>>>at the property for the first time," he says.
>>"All
>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>sudden, her eyes started watering and tears
>>>started
>>>>>>>>coming down her face. I said, 'What, you don't
>>>like
>>>>>>>>it?' That was when she told me that it was the
>>>land
>>>>>>>>she used to work" as a laborer.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Not only does she cook for him, but rarely does
>a
>>>>>day
>>>>>>>>go by without McNair talking with his mother,
>>>>>>Lucille,
>>>>>>>>the backbone of the McNair family, the
>>>>strong-willed
>>>>>>>>woman who raised him and his four brothers by
>>>>>herself
>>>>>>>>on a small farm in Mount Olive, Miss. When
>>talking
>>>>>>>>about those days growing up, McNair doesn't
>mince
>>>>>>>>words. "I used to see my mother scratch for
>every
>>>>>>>>penny. To make us happy, she did without," he
>>>says.
>>>>>>>>"It was hard seeing my mother work from 11 p.m.
>>to
>>>>7
>>>>>>>>a.m. I remember seeing her closing her door and
>>>>>>crying
>>>>>>>>because she didn't think that she was doing a
>>good
>>>>>>job
>>>>>>>>of raising us, and feeling like she didn't have
>>>>>>enough
>>>>>>>>income to take care of us."
>>>>>>>>McNair says he and his brothers did everything
>>>they
>>>>>>>>could to help make ends meet, including work on
>>>the
>>>>>>>>farm raising pigs, chickens and cows, and
>plowing
>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>garden with a mule. "We got summer jobs, mowing
>>>>>yards
>>>>>>>>when I was 8 or 9 years old," he says. "It put a
>>>>lot
>>>>>>>>of pressure on my oldest brother. He had to grow
>>>up
>>>>>>>>faster than he should have. He had to be a
>>>>>>>>father-figure for us. He made sure we did [our]
>>>>>>>>homework ... That actually made us close as a
>>>>>>family."
>>>>>>>>Faith and hard work helped the McNair family get
>>>>>>>>through the tough times. "It was hard on us," he
>>>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>"But we went to church every Sunday. That always
>>>>>made
>>>>>>>>us feel good. Did a lot of things together.
>>>>Whenever
>>>>>>>>you saw one, you saw everybody. We were a very
>>>>close
>>>>>>>>family that made the sacrifices we needed to
>>>>>>survive."
>>>>>>>>The former Alcorn State University star says
>he's
>>>a
>>>>>>>>"country boy" who can "put on a pair of boots,
>>>some
>>>>>>>>jeans and a T-shirt" and" sit and do nothing,
>and
>>>>>>>>still have fun. I'm not financially in need
>>>>anymore,
>>>>>>>>but I'm not going to change my lifestyle," he
>>>says.
>>>>>>>>McNair has a 643-acre ranch back in Mississippi,
>>>>>>where
>>>>>>>>he raises some 250 cattle and 30 horses.
>>>>Ironically,
>>>>>>>>it's the same land his mother used to work on.
>>>>"I'll
>>>>>>>>never forget the day when I took her out there
>to
>>>>>>look
>>>>>>>>at the property for the first time," he says.
>>"All
>>>>>of
>>>>>>>>sudden, her eyes started watering and tears
>>>started
>>>>>>>>coming down her face. I said, 'What, you don't
>>>like
>>>>>>>>it?' That was when she told me that it was the
>>>land
>>>>>>>>she used to work" as a laborer.
>>>>>>>>Not only does she cook for him, but rarely does
>a
>>>>>day
>>>>>>>>go by without McNair talking with his mother,
>>>>>>Lucille,
>>>>>>>>the backbone of the McNair family, the
>>>>strong-willed
>>>>>>>>woman who raised him and his four brothers by
>>>>>herself
>>>>>>>>on a small farm in Mount Olive, Miss. When
>>talking
>>>>>>>>about those days growing up, McNair doesn't
>mince
>>>>>>>>words. "I used to see my mother scratch for
>every
>>>>>>>>penny. To make us happy, she did without," he
>>>says.
>>>>>>>>"It was hard seeing my mother work from 11 p.m.
>>to
>>>>7
>>>>>>>>a.m. I remember seeing her closing her door and
>>>>>>crying
>>>>>>>>because she didn't think that she was doing a
>>good
>>>>>>job
>>>>>>>>of raising us, and feeling like she didn't have
>>>>>>enough
>>>>>>>>income to take care of us."
>>>>>>>>McNair says he and his brothers did everything
>>>they
>>>>>>>>could to help make ends meet, including work on
>>>the
>>>>>>>>farm raising pigs, chickens and cows, and
>plowing
>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>garden with a mule. "We got summer jobs, mowing
>>>>>yards
>>>>>>>>when I was 8 or 9 years old," he says. "It put a
>>>>lot
>>>>>>>>of pressure on my oldest brother. He had to grow
>>>up
>>>>>>>>faster than he should have. He had to be a
>>>>>>>>father-figure for us. He made sure we did [our]
>>>>>>>>homework ... That actually made us close as a
>>>>>>family."
>>>>>>>>Faith and hard work helped the McNair family get
>>>>>>>>through the tough times. "It was hard on us," he
>>>>>>says.
>>>>>>>>"But we went to church every Sunday. That always
>>>>>made
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