"It's shocking to hear that it was Steve," Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs told ESPN.
"There are some guys that don't make good decisions and are in the wrong place at the wrong time. But Steve wasn't one of those guys. When I first heard about [his death], I thought it was a prank."
Traded from the Tennessee Titans, McNair led the Ravens to a franchise-record 13 wins in 2006 and guided them to the AFC North title. But injuries sidelined him for most of a dismal 2007 season, which ended with the firing of Billick. McNair retired in April 2008.
A three-time Pro Bowl quarterback, McNair was known for his leadership and toughness. He was the NFL's co-Most Valuable Player in 2003 and ranks as one of only five quarterbacks in league history to have thrown for 20,000 yards and rushed for 3,000 yards.
McNair also did extensive charity work through his foundation, helping load donated food, water and clothes onto tractor-trailers for Hurricane Katrina victims and paying for three football camps for children this year.
"I guess when you paint a picture of anybody, you have to paint the dark colors along with the light," Suggs said. "But as long as the positives outweigh the negatives, it shows what kind of person he was."
Jeff Fisher, who coached McNair for 11 seasons with the Tennessee Titans, learned about McNair's death while coming home from a Persian Gulf tour with other NFL coaches, including the Ravens' John Harbaugh.
During an emotional news conference Monday, Fisher thanked several Ravens players for sending their condolences. Mason, cornerback Samari Rolle and linebacker Ray Lewis all sent texts to Fisher through Harbaugh.
"He loved that experience [in Baltimore] from [owner] Steve Bisciotti to Ozzie to all of his teammates, but Nashville was his home," Fisher said. "He was an Oiler. He was a Titan. This was his home.
"The Steve McNair that I knew would want me to say: 'I am sorry. I am not perfect. We all make decisions sometimes that are not in the best interest. Please forgive me.' The Steve McNair that I knew would want me to say, 'Celebrate my life for what I did on the field and what I did in the community, the kind of teammate that I was' - that's what the Steve I knew would want me to say."
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Police say pistol apparently used to kill former Raven McNair and his girlfriend was bought by the woman
