Sports Radio Interviews

Former Baltimore Ravens Coach Brian Billick Remembers Murdered Quarterback Steve McNair, Talks Michael Vick

Steve McNair, the All Pro retired quarterback who was recently murdered in Nashville, Tennessee, will largely be remembered for his time playing with the the Tennessee Titans (formerly Houston Oilers). And rightfully so. He played nine of his eleven professional seasons for that franchise before finishing things off in Baltimore. Of course, in 2006, McNair’s first year with the Ravens, the organization won 13 games, the most in franchise history. Injuries finally caught up to McNair in 2007, his final year in the league. He would play in just six games and decided to call it a career. His coach in Baltimore, Brian Billick, joined 680 The Fan in Atlanta to remember the type of competitor McNair was on the field, how people should resist the temptation to make judgments about the man, as well as to comment on other topics in the NFL including the reininstatement of Michael Vick.

On how some around the country – both in the media and amongst every day fans – are letting their vitriol be known for McNair and the circumstances surrounding his passing:

“Well I think Jeff Fisher very eloquently kind of tried to address when he said those of us who know Steve hope that those who are kind of looking at it from the outside can separate those. Obviously what happened on the field speaks for itself – tremendous warrior, mentally and physically; one of the toughest players I’ve ever been around; his accomplishments well documented. He was, on a personal level, quick to smile, enjoyed himself, kept the right sense of priorities. He took his job seriously but didn’t take himself too seriously and was always enjoyable to be around. And there is the Steve McNair that was an incredible giver – Nashville, Baltimore, nationally, his home state of Mississippi – the things that Steve McNair did that were charitable can not be dismissed because now some of what’s coming to light some of the more human foibles that we all have and that Steve was clearly dealing with and have come to light. It’s hard to compartmentalize those and separate those and I hope that choose to not think well of Steve because of some of the circumstances and some of the things that are coming to light are not too dismissive of some of the great things that he’s done for this game and for his community.”

On what type of discussions that he and his staff would have to have about bringing Michael Vick to his team if he were in fact a head coach somewhere in the NFL:

“Extensive. But let me preface that by saying this – I’m very much in the camp that believes Michael Vick has paid his debt to society. The commissioner will decide what sanctions should be leveled against him via the league and once that’s satisfied, Michael Vick deserves the right to be employed and try to make a living in what capacity he feels he can, and come back in to the NFL. I’m a fervent believer in that and believe he ought to be given that right. But by the same token, let me make it very clear that I’m not interested in having Michael Vick on my team. And beyond the personal aspects of it and the way you view it that way, it’s going to be a very narrow set of parameters for a team that wants to bring Michael Vick back in. It’s going to have to be a team that is very well established and has a specific role for him. And even at that, it’s going to be difficult. What’s your quarterback situation? If you have a Peyton Manning or a Tom Brady – just to give an example of someone of that stature and it’s very clear cut. That’s the starter, end of discussion. Everybody needs a good backup quarterback and Michael Vick certainly would bring a set of talents that could add another element. Whether it’s that Wildcat, or Wildhog, or whatever it is they’re calling it now…yeah maybe in that situation. But if you bring him in in a situation where you’re unsettled at the quarterback position, you’re going to have him compete for the quarterback position, it could be very, very unsettling for the team.”

Listen here to Billick on 680 The Fan in Atlanta

Tags: 680 The Fan, Baltimore Ravens, former Ravens coach Brian Billick, Steve McNair murder investigation, Steve McNair murdered