bigreese82
Footballguy
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...401/1328/SPORTS
McNair, Young close on, off field
Titans QB watched protege at Rose Bowl
By JIM WYATT
Staff Writer
Vince Young was in junior high when Titans quarterback Steve McNair met him, and over the years their relationship has grown.
They've been friends through good times and bad. It's safe to say Wednesday night in Pasadena, Calif., was probably the best.
With McNair in the stands watching, Young quarterbacked the Texas Longhorns to a national championship with a 41-38 victory over USC in the Rose Bowl. Young accumulated 467 yards of total offense, including 200 on the ground, and was named the game's MVP.
"It has been a pleasure watching him mature as a player and as a person in the many years that I have known him,'' McNair said last night. "He is what an NFL quarterback is all about in this day and age. He can beat you with his arms or his legs and has the leadership abilities required of an NFL quarterback.
"He has proven that he is one of the best college quarterbacks in the country, and I would expect him to continue to be one of the best at the next level.''
McNair went to college at Alcorn State with Young's uncle, Ivory Young. Later, Ivory recommended that his nephew attend McNair's football camp in Mississippi. Vince Young was a high school sophomore at the time.
Over the years they have regularly talked on the phone, and Young has spent time at the Mississippi home of McNair's mother. McNair has attended a number of Young's games at Texas, and in recent years Young has been an instructor at McNair's camp.
In an interview with The Tennessean in June, Young said he sometimes refers to McNair as "Big Papa.'' Young's own father hasn't been around for a good part of his son's life, and has spent time in a penitentiary.
"Steve is like a father figure to me,'' Young told The Tennessean. "He helped inspire me and helped me grow up and become a man. He has always been there for me.''
McNair's guidance over the years hasn't been a secret to Longhorn fans, something that was evident as the Titan made his way into the Rose Bowl on Wednesday night.
McNair spent some time with Young after the game and returned to Nashville last night.
"People were coming up to Steve and thanking him for everything he's done for Vince,'' said Mike Mu, executive director of the Air Steve McNair Foundation, who attended the game with McNair. "(Texas) Coach Mack Brown hugged McNair after the game. It was an emotional night for everyone.''
Because the Titans have the No. 3 pick in the draft, there's at least a chance McNair and Young could continue their relationship together in Nashville.
That, of course, hinges on Young turning pro and both the Texans and Saints passing on Young, as well as McNair getting his own contract situation worked out, too.
"Sure, I would love to play with him and to continue our relationship with teammates,'' McNair said. "But there are a lot of questions still to be answered.'' •
McNair, Young close on, off field
Titans QB watched protege at Rose Bowl
By JIM WYATT
Staff Writer
Vince Young was in junior high when Titans quarterback Steve McNair met him, and over the years their relationship has grown.
They've been friends through good times and bad. It's safe to say Wednesday night in Pasadena, Calif., was probably the best.
With McNair in the stands watching, Young quarterbacked the Texas Longhorns to a national championship with a 41-38 victory over USC in the Rose Bowl. Young accumulated 467 yards of total offense, including 200 on the ground, and was named the game's MVP.
"It has been a pleasure watching him mature as a player and as a person in the many years that I have known him,'' McNair said last night. "He is what an NFL quarterback is all about in this day and age. He can beat you with his arms or his legs and has the leadership abilities required of an NFL quarterback.
"He has proven that he is one of the best college quarterbacks in the country, and I would expect him to continue to be one of the best at the next level.''
McNair went to college at Alcorn State with Young's uncle, Ivory Young. Later, Ivory recommended that his nephew attend McNair's football camp in Mississippi. Vince Young was a high school sophomore at the time.
Over the years they have regularly talked on the phone, and Young has spent time at the Mississippi home of McNair's mother. McNair has attended a number of Young's games at Texas, and in recent years Young has been an instructor at McNair's camp.
In an interview with The Tennessean in June, Young said he sometimes refers to McNair as "Big Papa.'' Young's own father hasn't been around for a good part of his son's life, and has spent time in a penitentiary.
"Steve is like a father figure to me,'' Young told The Tennessean. "He helped inspire me and helped me grow up and become a man. He has always been there for me.''
McNair's guidance over the years hasn't been a secret to Longhorn fans, something that was evident as the Titan made his way into the Rose Bowl on Wednesday night.
McNair spent some time with Young after the game and returned to Nashville last night.
"People were coming up to Steve and thanking him for everything he's done for Vince,'' said Mike Mu, executive director of the Air Steve McNair Foundation, who attended the game with McNair. "(Texas) Coach Mack Brown hugged McNair after the game. It was an emotional night for everyone.''
Because the Titans have the No. 3 pick in the draft, there's at least a chance McNair and Young could continue their relationship together in Nashville.
That, of course, hinges on Young turning pro and both the Texans and Saints passing on Young, as well as McNair getting his own contract situation worked out, too.
"Sure, I would love to play with him and to continue our relationship with teammates,'' McNair said. "But there are a lot of questions still to be answered.'' •
Good fit IMO - although I prefer Reggie Bush in Tennessee, Houston may not be able to work the trade, and take Bush. Would New Orleans take Leinart over Young?Or is Young saying, without being blatant about it, that he prefers not to play in New Orleans? 
Seriously, there's a lot worse characters in the NFL than McNair to be mentored by.
