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*At press time, authorities in Nashville were still trying to figure out the relationship between slain former NFL quarterback Steve McNair and a 20-year-old woman police are calling "his friend," who was found shot to death alongside him in his downtown condominium.
McNair's body was discovered on a sofa in the living room Saturday with multiple gunshot wounds, including one to the head, according to the Associated Press. His friend, Sahel Kazemi, was very close to him on the floor, killed by a single gunshot. A pistol was discovered near her, but police said it took a while to find the firearm.
Also at EUR press time, Nashville police is calling McNair's death as a homicide, but has not labeled Kazemi's.However speculation is centering on classifying the case a murder-suicide.
McNair, 36, orchestrated the famous Tennessee Titans' drive that came a yard short of forcing overtime in the 2000 Super Bowl.
He and Kazemi were together just two days earlier, when she was pulled over driving a 2007 Escalade registered to her and McNair. She was arrested on DUI charges, and he was allowed to leave in a taxi.
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Sahel Kazemi
McNair and Kazemi apparently knew each other from a Dave & Buster's restaurant the quarterback and his family frequented, but workers there would not discuss their relationship. Police also refused to release any details about their relationship, simply calling Kazemi a "friend."
Autopsies were performed for Sunday.
Police spokesman Don Aaron said McNair's wife, Mechelle, is "very distraught."
"At this juncture, we do not believe she is involved," he said. "Nothing has been ruled out, but as far as actively looking for a suspect tonight, the answer would be no."
Fred McNair, Steve McNair's oldest brother, said some family members likely will travel to Nashville on Monday to consult with Mechelle.
"It's still kind of hard to believe," Fred McNair said. "He was the greatest person in the world. He gave back to the community. He loved kids and he wanted to be a role model to kids."
He said he did not know who Kazemi was.
The bodies were discovered by McNair's longtime friend, Wayne Neeley, who rents the condo with McNair. Neeley told authorities he went into the condo, saw McNair and Kazemi, but walked first into the kitchen before going back into the living room. Neeley then called a friend, who alerted authorities.
Police said a witness saw McNair arrive at the condo in the upscale Rutledge Hill neighborhood between 1:30 and 2 a.m. Saturday and that Kazemi's vehicle was already there. The condominium is located within walking distance of an area filled with restaurants and nightspots, a few blocks from the Cumberland River and within view of the Titans' stadium.
An arrest affidavit from Thursday said Kazemi had bloodshot eyes and alcohol on her breath when she was pulled over, but refused a breathalyzer test, saying "she was not drunk, she was high."
Kazemi was a waitress at the Dave & Busters frequented by McNair. Keith Norfleet, Kazemi's ex-boyfriend, told The Tennessean newspaper that McNair and Kazemi met at the Nashville restaurant.
(For photos of McNair and Kazemi having "fun" together, via our Dishin' Dirt blog, click here.)
"She was reliable 90 percent of the time," manager Chris Truelove said of Kazemi. "She was pretty outgoing. A lot of the guests liked being around her, and she liked being around the guests."
In June, McNair opened a restaurant near the Tennessee State University campus. It was closed Saturday evening, but had become a small memorial, where flowers, candles and notes had been placed outside the door.
McNair, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, led the Titans to the 2000 Super Bowl, which they lost 23-16 to the St. Louis Rams. He was co-MVP of the NFL with Colts quarterback Peyton Manning in 2003. He also played for the Baltimore Ravens before retiring in April 2008.
McNair grew up in rural Mount Olive, Miss., and became a nationally known college football star playing for Alcorn State, a Division I-AA school in his home state. He was so dominant in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, he became a Heisman Trophy contender. National media flocked to little Lorman in the southwest corner of the Magnolia state to get a look at "Air McNair." He still holds the Division I-AA (now known as Football Championship Subdivision) records for career yards passing (14,496) and total offense (16,823).
McNair was the third overall draft pick in 1995 by the Houston Oilers, who eventually became the Titans. He finished his career with 31,304 yards passing and 174 touchdowns.
Related Story: Victim's sister: 'Third person involved' in Steve McNair's death
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