McNair's Number Debate

The Tennessee Titans will honor Steve McNair this season by wearing his #9 on their helmets. It seems the obvious first-step toward eventually honoring McNair in a bigger way-- by actually retiring his now-familiar number.

Despite the circumstances surrounding his death, McNair is still revered for his accomplishments on the field. He ranks second behind a legend-- Warren Moon-- on most of the organization's career passing charts.

McNair's name is already in the Titans/Oilers Ring of Honor. But only six Oilers/Titans have actually had their number's retired-- Jim Norton, Elvin Bethea, Earl Campbell, Mike Munchak, Bruce Matthews and Warren Moon. And all of those guys are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

And that's the catch.

I've been told team owner Bud Adams has set-up specific criteria to actually have a Titan's number retired. Being in the Pro Football Hall of Fame is tops on his list, and McNair, even with a trip to the Super Bowl and an NFL MVP award, isn't a shoo-in for Canton.

In effect, the point is moot, because McNair's number hasn't been used since he left the team. Despite the rules, and the circumstances surrounding his death, I think the Titans should make it official-- and retire his number forever.