"I think Steve was a tremendous quarterback," the unnamed voter said, "but I don't think he'll get in based on the criteria by which quarterbacks are judged: Super Bowls and statistics."
McNair's career record is 91-62, a winning percentage of .595. He led his team to the playoffs in five of his 13 seasons.
McNair also helped change the landscape for NFL quarterbacks. Following the likes of Randall Cunningham and Warren Moon, McNair continued to make inroads for black quarterbacks. He is one of only five quarterbacks in NFL history to have thrown for 20,000 yards and rushed for 3,000 yards.
Still, one voter said McNair "comes up a little short." Another added, "Nice stats, no titles. Good guy, very sad."
Vito Stellino of The Florida Times-Union said the argument against McNair goes beyond the fact that he didn't win any championships.
When the Titans advanced to their only Super Bowl under McNair (1999 season), Tennessee was tied for 13th in the league in passing. McNair threw for 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions that season.
When Tennessee was the top seed in 2000, the Titans were 16th in the NFL in passing. McNair threw 15 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions.
"The Titans won with defense, and the offense was not built around him," Stellino said. "If McNair was a Hall of Fame quarterback, then [Titans coach] Jeff Fisher should be blamed for not building more of the offense around his arm."
In the locker room, McNair was revered by teammates for his grit and leadership.
When he retired in April 2008, his Ravens teammates gave him a standing ovation. Samari Rolle, a cornerback who played with McNair on the Titans and Ravens, proclaimed him a "surefire Hall of Famer." Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome called McNair one of the best players in the NFL over the past 20 years.
Some Hall of Fame voters contend otherwise.
"He was real good most of the time and great some of the time," said John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. "But I don't think he was great enough long enough."
Latest on the case
Tennessee's state medical examiner, Bruce Levy, said Tuesday that investigators have been hesitant to conclude that Steve McNair's girlfriend killed the NFL star and herself because she didn't appear to have a motive, but that murder-suicide is the most likely scenario. Investigators were awaiting the results of ballistics tests on the weapon before issuing a ruling in 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi's death, which Levy said could come in the next few days. Article, PG 3
