Steve McNair shot in the head

Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair, 36 year-old was found dead – shot multiple times including twice in the head, by a semiautomatic pistol, Nashville police said. Authorities stopped short of saying it was a murder-suicide committed by his 20 year-old girlfriend, Sahel Kazemi, found dead by his side. She was killed by a single gunshot wound and the pistol was found under her body. Police said Sunday that it appears the two died in the early morning.

There is speculations that the deaths could have been caused by a lover’s quarrel. Police said they need to do more interviews with friends of Kazemi and McNair before they rule on whether her death was a suicide.

McNair is a four-time Pro Bowl selection, and was married with four children. 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. McNair’s rugged style led to numerous injuries and aches. He played with pain for several years, and the injuries ultimately forced him to retire. During a five-game stretch at the end of the 2002 season, McNair was so bruised he couldn’t practice. But he started all five games and won them, leading the Titans to an 11-5 record and a berth in the AFC championship game for the second time in four seasons.

McNair retired last year and had recently opened a restaurant in Nashville, where he shared a condo with a friend. He led the famous Tennessee Titans’ drive that came a yard short of forcing overtime in the 2000 Super Bowl, before the Titans traded him to the Baltimore Ravens in 2006.