Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair, who made three Pro Bowls and led the Tennessee Titans within one yard of forcing overtime in Super Bowl XXXIV, was shot and killed July 4 along with his rumored lover, Sahel Kazemi.
His wife, Mechelle McNair, may have only learned about the gridiron star's affair with the gorgeous young woman after the clandestine couple's grisly deaths.
Nashville police confirmed that Steve McNair, 36, was killed by four bullets at close range, two of which hit him in the head, and ruled his death a homicide.
His lover, Sahel Kazemi, 20, died of a single gunshot wound from the same semiautomatic weapon found on the floor under her body, police also said.
Sahel Kazemi and Steve McNair, a dad of four boys, were dating for several months, friends told cops; McNair apparently kept the affair a secret from his wife Mechelle.
Police stopped short of calling the slayings a murder-suicide carried out by Kazemi, but said they are not looking for any suspects. Cops ruled McNair's death a homicide and have not ruled on Kazemi's death, citing the need for more tests.
Sahel Kazemi and Steve McNair, a dad of four boys, were dating for several months, friends told cops; McNair apparently kept the affair a secret from his wife.
Kazemi's aunt Sepideh Salmani told The Tennessean newspaper that after they met a sports bar where she was waitressing, "They exchanged phone numbers, and started dating from there." They also recently went on a tropical vacation together.
Follow the jump for more on this story, including how the secret couple met, and pictures of Steve McNair and Sahel Kazemi together ...
Salmani said her beautiful, raven-haired niece believed that McNair was in the process of getting a divorce. Kazemi's sister told The Florida Times-Union of Jacksonville that Sahel Kazemi had expected to wed Steve McNair.
"She said they were planning to get married," Soheyla Kazemi said.
Investigators said Steve McNair had been drinking at a pair of Nashville bars Friday - Blue Moon Lagoon Bar and Loser's Bar - into the early-morning hours of Saturday and then returned to the downtown condo he shared with a pal.
Although neighbors have not reported hearing gunshots, cops believe McNair and Kazemi died about 2 a.m., nearly 12 hours before their bodies were found.
There was no sign of forced entry at the condo, and investigators are checking whether the couple had been having a "lovers' quarrel," cops said.
It was not immediately known whom the pistol belonged to, although McNair did have a permit to carry a gun, police said. Kazemi, who was raised by an aunt in Florida after her parents were killed in Iran, moved to Nashville with ex-boyfriend Keith Norfleet.
Norfleet, whom investigators want to talk to, had a "volatile" relationship with Kazemi but was trying to win her back from McNair, his stepmother said.
"They had a lot of jealousy in their relationship and they'd fight and break up a lot," said Trudie Norfleet. "He loved her. ... He's awful torn up about it."
The quarterback, renowned in Nashville for his extensive work in the community, rented the condo overlooking the Titans stadium with sporting goods dealer Wayne Neeley, who called McNair's best friend after seeing the bodies sprawled on a couch.



























July 6th, 2009 8:06 AM
Wow?
July 6th, 2009 8:07 AM
Whose hands are those in the wedding picture with them? Such a sad story and way to find out about a "lover". My prayers go out to the McNair family and their boys....
July 6th, 2009 8:37 AM
Steve was known to have girlfriends while married to Mechelle. This is nothing new. It just wasn't in the public eye.
July 6th, 2009 9:23 AM
He shouldn't be messign around on his wife. This is what make me so made about pro stars. they keep some dollars and believe they will never get caught doing wrong. Now his boys are going to grow up witout there dad just because he wanted some on the side. I feel sorry for his fmaily, but what a stupid, stupid man.
July 6th, 2009 9:29 AM
I agree this is nothing new and im almost sure Michelle knew about this one too. Its a very sad thing for the kids. You cant tell me a wife didnt know that he had an apartment and went on a vactation and if she really didnt know she needed to pay more attention to her marriage
July 6th, 2009 9:35 AM
I wish Pauly could spell and check his grammar.
July 6th, 2009 9:42 AM
I don't wish death upon no one, but God don't like adultery.
July 6th, 2009 9:50 AM
That many gun shots and NO ONE heard anything? No calls to police? Weird.
Ex-athlete with money..check. Married with kids...check. Honeys on the side.... check. Wrong place at wrong time... check. Dead man. Too sad that all the stero types come true in the end.
July 6th, 2009 9:59 AM
My prayers go out to both families because they both have suffered the lost of a loved one. In life we all have the right to choose to do the right thing. Unfortunately Steve mad some bad judgement decisions that in the end cost him his life. That's a heck of a price to pay.
July 6th, 2009 10:14 AM
I think his cheating ass got exactly what he deserves,If he would of been at home with his wife and kids-it wouldn't of happened.My sympathy goes out to his wife and children-Certainly not his ass.