Unfortunately in the world of sports, some athletes pass away before it is really time.  I was stunned to learn about the death of Steve McNair earlier today.  As I watched the ESPN coverage, I could not help to think back to a time when I got to see McNair play in person.

The year was 1994, and Alcorn State was visiting Youngstown State in the I-AA Playoffs.  The game was played on a frigid Friday at Stambaugh Stadium.  As a college student at YSU, I was assured admittance to a game that was sold out.  This was the time in YSU football history that a change for the better was taking place under new coach Jim Tressel.

YSU had a regular season record of 10-0-1 that year and Alcorn State, with McNair at QB was 8-2-1.  (I feel like I’m showing my age with each team having a tie in their record).  McNair was on the cover of Sports Illustrated about a month before the game and was a Heisman Trophy finalist.  The buzz around Youngstown was unbelievable going into that Friday playoff game.

As expected, the place was jammed at gametime.  Never one to really drink, I remember several tailgate parties and a new atmosphere for YSU football being taken to an extreme level on this day.  It marked the start of a YSU football game being a celebration of Youngstown.

Once the game started, it was over.  YSU completely pressured McNair throughout the game and never really let the Alcorn State offense get going.  YSU ended up winning by something like 40 points and that was Steve McNair’s last college game, a landmark date in YSU football.

Thank you Steve McNair, not for coming to Youngstown and losing a playoff game, but for being a fine NFL quarterback, and an ambassador of goodwill in your time spent here.

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