Jeffrey Dean Blog

I was saddened to hear the news that former Tennessee Titan Steve McNair was found dead last week in his Nashville condominium along side his, newly publicized, girlfriend. I didn’t know Mr. McNair personally. But like most Titans fans, I enjoyed watching him lead our Titans to within a yard of winning it all against the Rams in the Super Bowl several years ago. Mr. McNair was considered a hero in Nashville. Most everyone who had something to say about him almost always had something to say about him that was good.

But, as this tragic story has continued to unfold, the murder of this Titan has brought to light an entirely different life Mr. McNair lived that, until now, was mostly unknown to the general public. I am reminded of other worldly heroes who too have fallen prey to stories and secrets of accusations, choices, and relationships they probably wish had remained private.

There was Magic Johnson’s admission years ago that he was HIV+, having slept with many partners while traveling the nation as an NBA star; Chicago Bull superstar Michael Jordan’s many trips to casinos gambling hundreds of thousands of dollars away; Michael Phelps and a bong; Kobe Bryant’s rape trial; Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, A-Rod, Lance Armstrong and Roger Clemens… Heroes to many in public — yet, serious questions and concerns about what really went on in their private lives.

Even now as I am writing these words, I look to the TV in my room here at camp where practically every channel is covering the Michael Jackson Memorial Service at the Staples Center in L.A. I still remember the first time I watched the Bad and the Thriller videos on MTV. I remember dancing the night away to Beat It, Billie Jean, and Smooth Criminal at my high school prom. And, no, there are no amateur videos out there on YouTube from that night, thankfully!

Regardless of whether or not you like the hits penned by the King Of Pop, you can’t deny the impact this man had upon the music industry and the world, nor the legacy he leaves behind. Jackson was one of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. Jackson’s other achievements include 13 Guinness World Records, including one for “Most Successful Entertainer of All Time.” He won 19 Grammy Awards, 22 American Music Awards, 12 World Music Awards and sold over 750 million albums worldwide.

Yet, though he was a musical hero to many, due to his amazing accomplishments in the studio and on the stage, his career was also tarnished because of rumors of other incidents having happened off-stage behind closed doors in his private life.

It is not my intention to affirm or deny any claim made having to do with the names mentioned in this blog. My point is this – none of us, whether in public or private, have lived unblemished lives. But each of us, whether having influenced thousands or a few, have an obligation to remember that ones character isn’t merely that which is seen by others while in the spotlight. Rather, it is that which is on display when no one is looking that truly defines the character of us all.