By April MacIntyre Jul 5, 2009, 1:54 GMT
Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair and an unidentified woman were found shot to death Saturday at a home in Nashville, police said.
(FILE) A file photograph showing Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair sitting on the bench late in the fourth quarter of the Indianapolis Colts' 15-6 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in AFC divisional playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on 13 January 2007. Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was killed in a shooting incident in Nashville, Tennessee, authorities reported on 04 July 2009. EPA/JUSTIN LANE
The Associated Press reports that McNair was "shot to death." Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron confirmed that McNair and the woman were slain inside the home.
"I don't have any answers for you now as to what's happened, who's responsible," Aaron said.
"There are persons who were around the complex today, visitors, who have been taken to headquarters for questioning, just to see what they know, what they may have seen," Aaron said. "No one is in custody right now."
It was also not clear who owned the home where McNair and the woman were found dead.
The AP reports that McNair, a veteran of the NFL who began his career in Houston with the Oilers, then led the Titans to the 2000 Super Bowl, and who played for the Baltimore Ravens, had retired from the NFL in April 2008.
"We don't know the details, but it is a terrible tragedy and our hearts go out to the families involved," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.
"We are saddened and shocked to hear the news of Steve McNair's passing today," Titans owner Bud Adams said in a press statement. "He was one of the finest players to play for our organization and one of the most beloved players by our fans. He played with unquestioned heart and leadership and led us to places that we had never reached, including our only Super Bowl."
"I am deeply saddened to learn of today's tragic news regarding the death of Steve McNair. He was a player who I admired a great deal," said New England Patriots senior football adviser Floyd Reese, the GM of the Titans when McNair played there to the AP. "He was a tremendous leader and an absolute warrior. He felt like it was his responsibility to lead by working hard every day, no matter what.
"I don't think there was a player who played with him or against him that didn't look up to him and respect him," Reese said. "My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, his friends and the many teammates who loved and admired him."
Titans coach Jeff Fisher was out of the country, taking part in the first NFL-USO coaches tour to Iraq.
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