Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair was listed as questionable for today’s AFC&160;Cahpmionship game against Jacksonville because of turf toe.

There’s no question in my mind that McNair will be out there come kickoff time.

Even with all of the cheap shots he took while at Alcorn, McNair would still be suited up week after week.

Opposing teams knew Alcorn without McNair would be – well like Alcorn has been since he graduated.

Against Sam Houston State his senior year (1994), McNair took a shot to his shoulder when he was five yards out of bounds and left the game with his arm in a sling.

He suffered a first degree shoulder sepsration to his right shoulder, but came back the next week against Mississippi Valley and passed for 226 yards and rushed for 108 more in a 49-24 win.

McNair said at the time there was no way he would miss a game against an in-state opponent.

Then in his final regular season game of his career, McNair injured his hamstring against Jackson State, but still stayed in the game, keeping in the pocket to lead the Braves to a 52-34 win over arch-rival Jackson State.

McNair passed for 533 yards and still rushed for 31.

Playing hurt, however, didn’t help the following weekend, as McNair was unable to run the ball in a 63-20 loss to eventual I-AA champion Youngstown State.

Alcorn was certainly out of its class against Youngstown, but it would have been interesting to see a healthy McNair against the traditional power.

Despite the agonizing injury, McNair still completed 52 of 82 passes for 514 yards and three touchdowns.

He would later finish third in the Heisman Trophy voting.

There’s no doubt McNair will want to be on the field for today’s game, especially after missing five games this season following back surgery.

Anyone who has had back surgery will probably tell you they are amazed to see McNair still even playing football.

When he did return this year, McNair led Tennessee to a win over St. Louis, giving the Rams their first loss of the season.

He later threw five touchdown passes against Jacksonville in one of the two Titan wins over the Jaguars.

To make it three, McNair feels he has to be out there, as do his teammates.

McNair watched Friday’s practice with his left foot in a protective boot.

McNair has battled the condition for several weeks but has not missed a game. He said he wants to be as close to 100 percent as possible today.

&uot;This is a situation where a little pain won’t hurt anybody,&uot; McNair said.

Titans running back Eddie George said McNair will be ready to roll at kickoff.

&uot;Steve is 100 percent in my eyes and his eyes as well.&uot;

McNair and Titan head coach Jeff Fisher both emphasized the quarterback’s toe and boot are not cause for concern.

&uot;He’s been wearing it (protective boot) on and off for the last four or five weeks,&uot; Fisher said. &uot;He was on the artificial turf twice in the last week (at Indianapolis and in the team’s practice bubble on Thursday). We expect Steve to be better and expect Steve to be able to play.&uot;

Alcorn fans will not be surprised.

Joey Martin is sports editor of The Democrat. He can be reached by calling 446-5172 ext. 232 or at joey.martin@natchezdemocrat.com.

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