NASHVILLE, Tenn (CLARKSVILLENOW) – On Sunday, September 17, during their game against the Colts, The Tennessee Titans held a halftime ceremony honoring Eddie George and the late Steve McNair. The player’s numbers, 27 and 9 respectively, were retired.
In attendance were Mechelle McNair and her two sons, as well as McNair’s mother and brothers. Eddie George and his sons were also there. Taj George of Sisters With Voices performed the National Anthem for the ceremony.
Eddie George came to the Houston Oilers (now the Tennessee Titans) in 1996 as the team’s first-round draft selection. George made the Pro Bowl four years running (1997-2000), helped see the team to a Championship bid in Superbowl XXXIV and is the second NFL running back to rush 10,000 yards without ever missing a start.
George has since remained an active part of the Nashville community. He has served as the spokesman for Governor Bredesen’s GetFitTN program and he participated in the 2007 Country Music Half Marathon. George can also occasionally be found on the stage in Nashville and the surrounding communities, having developed a love for acting.
McNair, another Oiler turned Titan, came to the team in 1995 as Jeff Fisher’s third overall pick. McNair made a name for himself with the Titans, going to the Superbowl in 1999 against the Rams. In 2003, McNair was chosen co-MVP of the NFL, sharing the award with Peyton Manning.
He left Tennessee for the Baltimore Ravens in 2006 where he remained until his 2007 retirement. Titans and Ravens fans alike mourned the loss of McNair in 2009.
The event marks the first time that an NFL team has retired the numbers 9 or 27.