Today a press conference was held in regards to the official ruling on the McNair shooting death. As we already speculated, law enforcement officials will be officially ruling this a murder/suicide.
Police are telling CNN Headline News that Kazemi told her friends “her life was a mess”. One friend said she felt overwhelmed because she thought Steve was seeing another woman, her roommate was moving out leaving her with more rent than she could afford alone, plus she and Steve just bought an Escalade but she was making the monthly payments in addition to payments on a Kia.
Police say the gunshot patterns and lack of defensive patterns show that Steve did not know he was being shot and was more than likely asleep on the couch when it happened. Kazemi murdered him with four gunshot wounds and then one gunshot wound to her head.
Steve Mc Nair’s memorial will be tomorrow in Mississippi and the funeral will follow on Saturday.
The body of a former American football star quarterback has been found riddled with bullets at a flat in Nashville in an apparent murder-suicide involving his girlfriend.
Steve McNair, 36, who led the Tennessee Titans to the 2000 Super Bowl only to lose when a final attack fell one yard short, was found on the living room sofa with multiple gunshot wounds, including one to his head. Sahel Kazemi, 20, his girlfriend, was found dead on the floor with a single shot to the head and a pistol nearby.
McNair’s wife Mechelle, the mother of three of his four sons, refused to speak to the media but was described by police as “very distraught”. The couple recently put their house up for sale. Police did not attribute blame for the killings but said that they were not hunting for any suspects.
McNair began as a high-school star in Mississippi and capped his career as the National Football League’s Most Valuable Player in 2003, before retiring after the 2007 season.
In the 2000 Super Bowl, America’s equivalent of the FA Cup Final, he led his team on an 87-yard drive in the final minute and 48 seconds that ended a yard short of the touchdown, costing the Titans the game.
“He played with unquestioned heart and leadership and led us to places that we had never reached, including our only Super Bowl,” the Titans owner, K. S. “Bud” Adams, said.
McNair was also known for his charitable work. After Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf coast in the southern US, McNair organised a relief convoy of 20 trucks of food, medical supplies and donated goods, as well as $80,000 (£50,000) in cash.
Keith Norfleet, who dated Ms Kazemi for four years before they broke up five months ago, told The Tennessean newspaper that she met McNair while working as a waitress at Dave & Buster’s Grand Sports Café. Mr Norfleet said that he had been worried about her dating the sports star, a married man. Ms Kazemi’s neighbours said that they often saw McNair visiting her and had heard arguments in her flat. Early on Thursday she was stopped by police while driving a black 2007 Cadillac Escalade registered in her name and McNair’s.
She was charged with driving under the influence when police noted that she had bloodshot eyes and alcohol on her breath. She refused to take a breath test, saying “she was not drunk, she was high”. Mr Norfleet said she had been planning to break off her relationship with McNair.
He said that she banged on his apartment door early on Saturday, but left before he could answer and he spent the rest of the day looking for her.
Police said that a witness saw McNair arrive at a flat in the centre of Nashville between 1.30 and 2am on Saturday and that Ms Kazemi’s car was already there.
The bodies were discovered on Saturday afternoon by McNair’s friend, Wayne Neeley, who rented the flat with McNair. Mr Neeley called a friend, who summoned police. [TIMES UK] Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair’s shooting death was a homicide, police said Sunday, but authorities stopped short of saying it was a murder-suicide committed by the 20-year-old girlfriend found dead by his side.
McNair, 36, was shot four times, twice in the head, by a semiautomatic pistol, Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron said. The woman, Sahel Kazemi, was killed by a single gunshot wound and the pistol was found under her body, Aaron said.
Aaron said the two had been in a “dating relationship for past several months.”
Asked if the deaths could have caused by a lover’s quarrel, Aaron said, “That’s a very important part of the investigation as we work to ultimately classify Miss Kazemi’s death.”
Police said they need to do more interviews with friends of Kazemi and McNair before they rule on whether her death was a suicide, Aaron said.
McNair, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, was married with four children. He and Kazemi were found dead Saturday afternoon at a Nashville condominium he shared with a friend, and police said Sunday that it appears the two died in the early morning.
Police earlier said they weren’t looking for any suspects and do not believe McNair’s wife was involved. Mechelle McNair, mother of two of his four sons, was expected to collect her husband’s belongings from authorities. Funeral arrangements were not expected to be finalized until Monday afternoon at the earliest.
“She’s still very upset, very distraught,” agent Bus Cook said.
McNair 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. “On the field, there isn’t a player that was as tough as him,” the Ravens’ Derrick Mason said.
McNair retired last year and had recently opened a restaurant in Nashville, where he shared a condo with a friend
Serena Williams kept telling herself she was facing just another foe in the Wimbledon final Saturday, just another woman who hits the ball quite hard, just another player trying to deny her a Grand Slam title.
She wasn’t facing just anyone, of course. She was playing her older sister Venus. And when the latest all-Williams final finished, when Serena wrapped up a 7-6 (3), 6-2 victory for a third Wimbledon championship and 11th major title overall, she jogged to the net with her arm extended for a handshake.
Venus pulled her close for a warm embrace, instead.
“I didn’t think about Venus at all today. I just saw her as an opponent,” said Serena, who also beat her sister in the 2002 and 2003 finals at the All England Club. “At one point, after the first set, I looked on the side of the court at the stats, and it was like ‘Williams,’ ‘Williams.’ I couldn’t figure out which was which.”
That also might have been because she was facing the only other woman who can equal her power and court coverage on grass courts. Monday’s rankings will say Serena is No. 2, and Venus No. 3 _ behind No. 1 Dinara Safina, a 6-1, 6-0 loser to the elder Williams in the semifinals _ but it is clear who the best woman in the world is at the moment.
Serena has won three of the past four Grand Slam titles and even poked a little fun at Safina, who is 0-3 in major finals.
“If you hold three Grand Slam titles, maybe you should be No. 1, but not on the WTA Tour, obviously,” Serena said. Then, alluding sarcastically to two less-than-major events won by Safina, Serena doubled over in laughter after saying: “I see myself as No. 2. That’s where I am. I think Dinara did a great job to get to No. 1. She won Rome and Madrid.”
The sisters’ father, Richard Williams, used to say his youngest daughter would be the better of the two, and the numbers back that up at this point: Serena leads in Grand Slam titles (11-7), in head-to-head matches (11-10), and in all-Williams major finals (6-2).
It was the 14th Grand Slam final for each Williams; no other active woman participated in more than four. Serena is 11-3 in such matches; Venus fell to 7-7, with all but one defeat coming against her sister.
Asked if it’s easier or harder losing to a sibling, five-time Wimbledon champion Venus said: “There’s no ‘easy’ to losing, especially when it’s so close to the crown.”
She was the two-time defending champion and had won 20 matches in a row at Wimbledon, the last 17 in straight sets. But Venus _ at 29, she’s 15 months older than Serena _ appeared a step slow, perhaps bothered by the left knee that’s been heavily bandaged since the second round, although she refused to place blame there.
“She played so well, really lifted her game,” Venus said. “I had an error here and there. Today, I couldn’t make errors.”
Serena had more winners, 25-14, more aces, 12-2, and fewer unforced errors, 12-18.
About 3 1/2 hours after their match ended, Serena and Venus returned to Centre Court and capped their domination of the tournament by winning a second consecutive Wimbledon doubles championship. Slapping palms between points, the sisters beat Australians Samantha Stosur and Rennae Stubbs 7-6 (4), 6-4 to collect their ninth women’s doubles Grand Slam title, fourth at Wimbledon.
“Nothing like winning a title with your sister,” Serena said.
This weekend, in honor of July 4th, Walt Disney Worldwill unveil their refurbished version of the Hall of Presidents attraction.
The attraction showcases animatronic robots in the baring the likeness of all of our countries former Presidents. Part of the changes to the ride was the addition of the newest Commander in Chief , President Obama.
(ARA) - The financial crisis has brought about new kinds of challenges for many Americans. High gas prices, foreclosures and low wages are some well-known symptoms. One of the biggest obstacles, however, has been the feeling of uncertainty we encounter on a daily basis, whether it be our job stability, our family budgets, or even our ability to save for retirement. With layoffs expected across a multitude of industries, many adults are taking action against this cloud of uncertainty by going back to school.
Take, for example, Denise Browning of Cincinnati, Ohio. Since 1986, Browning has been promoted 6 times at her current job, but she has hit the glass ceiling without a college degree. Despite working for her employer for 22 years, she was recently overlooked and deemed "not qualified" for a promotion.
"Wow, that was devastating," she says. "Twenty-two years with a company, my accumulated years of knowledge, my excellent rapport with the reporting staff, my willingness to do the job, to be told 'you're not qualified' -- ouch!"
Browning applied for a full-ride college scholarship to go back to school through an online education advocacy campaign to help working moms afford the college degree they need to succeed for themselves and their children. With an online degree, she will be able to further fortify her position within a company and open herself up for career advancement. In today's economy, the added degree even adds a piece of armor to an employee who may have been spotted for downsizing had they not taken charge of the situation by going back to school.
Many people mistakenly believe that in this tough economy, it may be difficult to find financial aid programs; this is simply not the case. Online Student Financial Aid is an example of an extremely helpful site that guides potential students to schools that offer financial assistance. With resources like this, people are still highly equipped to acquire a new degree, and data shows that it pays off.
In 2005, women ages 25 to 34 with bachelor's degrees earned 70 percent more than those with high school diplomas, and for men the difference was 63 percent. For all full-time workers in this age group, the average earnings premium for a 4-year college degree is almost $14,000, according to "Education Pays 2006," published by the College Board.
Online courses can be a terrific way to both pick up the education you need and still be able to work, parent, or juggle the many commitments that define most adult lives. There are currently over 1,500 online degrees offered by over 130 online colleges. Popular online degrees include master of business administration, nursing and criminal justice, as well as education. Which degree is the best fit for you?
Visit www.onlinestudentfinancialaid.com today and find the financial assistance you need to advance your career with a new online degree.
There are reports out of Nashville, Tennessee that former Tennessee Titans Quarterback Steve McNair is dead. McNair was shot and killed in downtown Nashville. According to the report, the incident happened at 2nd South & Lea Ave. Police said it looked like a double homicide. A female victim was also found dead.
The three time NFL Pro Bowler was drafted by the Houston Oilers with the third pick of the 1995 NFL Draft. They eventually became the Tennessee Titans. McNair played thirteen seasons with the Titans and the Baltimore Ravens and was NFL Co-MVP in 2003 Source: Tristate
CHICAGO – Visitors to the Sears Tower's new glass balconies all seem to agree: The first step is the hardest.
The balconies are suspended 1,353 feet in the air and jut out four feet from the building's 103rd floor Skydeck. Their transparent walls, floor and ceiling leave visitors with the impression they're floating over the city.
"It's like walking on ice," said Margaret Kemp, of Bishop, Calif., who said her heart was still pounding even after stepping away from the balcony. "That first step you take — 'am I going down?'"
Kemp was among the visitors who got a sneak preview of the balconies Wednesday. "The Ledge," as the balconies have been nicknamed, open to the public Thursday. Visitors are treated to unobstructed views of Chicago from the building's west side and a heart-stopping vista of the street and Chicago River below — for those brave enough to look straight down.
John Huston, one of the property owners of the Sears Tower, even admitted to getting "a little queasy" the first time he ventured out. But 30 or 40 trips later, he's got the hang of it.
"The Sears Tower has always been about superlatives — tallest, largest, most iconic," he said. "Today is also about superlatives. Today, we present you with 'the Ledge,' the world's most awesome view, the world's most precipitous view, the view with the most wow in the world."
The balconies can hold five tons, and the glass is an inch-and-a-half thick, officials said. Sears Tower officials have said the inspiration for the balconies came from the hundreds of forehead prints visitors left behind on Skydeck windows every week. Now, staff will have a new glass surface to clean: floors.
"It's very scary, but at the same time it's very cool," said Chanti Lawrence of Atlanta, adding that she's made her first step toward overcoming her fear of heights.
Adam Kane, 10, of Alton, Ill., rushed to the ledge with his friends and siblings, and they each eagerly pressed their faces to the glass bottom.
"Look at all those tiny things that are usually huge," Adam said.
The balconies are just one of the big changes coming to the Sears Tower. The building's name will change to Willis Tower later this summer. Last week, officials announced a 5-year, $350 million green renovation complete with wind turbines, roof gardens and solar panels.
With the ledge, visitors like Kemp said the nation's tallest building has succeeded in creating something they've never seen before.
"I had to live 70 years for a thrill like this," she said.
t was supposed to be a chance to see two all-time greats from the SEC -- both former No. 1 draft picks in the WNBA -- meet in the heart of SEC territory. Atlanta's Chamique Holdsclaw, the all-time leading scorer for Tennessee (3,025 points) vs. Minnesota's Seimone Augustus, second on LSU's career scoring chart (2,702).
Barry Gossage/NBAE/Getty ImagesLynx star Seimone Augustus Augustus suffered a season-ending knee injury June 17.
But that won't happen. Just list it as another of the millions of things torn ACLs have screwed up.
Minnesota travels to Atlanta (ESPN2, 7 p.m. ET) as the Lynx keep trying to find their way without Augustus, who suffered a season-ending knee injury June 17.
Holdsclaw and Augustus are iconic figures from their respective colleges and in the women's game, but they have not faced off much in the WNBA. Augustus was the top draft pick in 2006, which was Holdsclaw's last full year in the league before her brief retirement.
Holdsclaw played just five games in 2007 -- the fifth was against Augustus' Lynx -- before saying she was done. But after sitting out all of the 2008 season, Holdsclaw -- who was the top WNBA selection in 1999 -- returned this summer.
And now it's Augustus who is out. She's facing surgery and months of rehab, hoping she'll be strong and ready for the 2010 WNBA season and able to prepare for the World Championship in the fall of 2010.
There's no such thing as an ACL injury you don't cringe over, but Augustus' blown knee seemed especially unfair. The Lynx, who had a coaching change just days before the season began, had gotten off to a strong start under Jennifer Gillom. It appeared that maybe all the bad mojo this franchise has endured was finally lifting.
But no. About the time we were all saying "Check out the Lynx," Augustus -- who was averaging 21.0 ppg -- hit the floor. It's not as if Minnesota (or any other team, for that matter) has an Augustus substitute on its bench. Her absence hurts the whole league.
However … Minnesota hasn't collapsed. So that's now the storyline for this game: Can Gillom keep this team on track even without one of the world's best players?
Scott Cunningham/NBAE/Getty ImagesChamique Holdsclaw is averaging 13.4 ppg and 4.1 rpg while shooting 40 percent from the field.
Well, the Lynx do come in having won two in a row, and Candice Wiggins was named Western Conference player of the week after scoring 25 and 22 points in those victories.
Wiggins is, obviously, the rock that Minnesota must be built upon now. She's part of the "pedigree" factor at work here, too. Two UConn players, Charde Houston and Renee Montgomery, and Tennessee's Nicky Anosike are all going to need to have a big impact on this team, too.
On one hand, a player leaves college behind when she joins the WNBA … but in another way, she always carries it with her. What Wiggins, Houston, Montgomery and Anosike bring is an expectation of success with no room for excuses.
It still seems like too much to ask now for Minnesota to survive as one of the top four teams in the rugged West. But maybe the Lynx still can show that their fortunes, even without Augustus, really have changed.
After three years of fielding the NFL's youngest team, Green Bay has entered the next -- and decidedly less fun -- phase in the development of its program. In the past year, the Packers have signed four veterans to contracts worth a total of $116.5 million, but they still have 15 players whose contracts will expire after this season. Seven are likely starters, and one (safety Nick Collins) hasn't said for sure whether he will report to training camp without a new deal.
*Will be a restricted free agent if NFL moves to an uncapped system in 2010
+Will be restricted free agent only if NFL has a new CBA in 2010
Decisions will have to be made and feelings inevitably will be hurt. This crossroads is neither unexpected nor avoidable, but for the Packers it's no less pressing than their conversion to a 3-4 defense as they attempt to rebound from a 6-10 season.
"There is always an evolution of a team," general manager Ted Thompson said. "At different points in people's careers, certain things happen. And we're trying to take care of our business the best we can. Each year your team matures, and we have a larger number of young guys that are getting ready for the next phase of their careers, and that's something that's our job to deal with."
Since his arrival in 2005, Thompson has taken a disciplined approach to building through the draft. You can praise him for developing players who are now worthy of extensions, or you can criticize him for structuring an unbalanced team. Regardless, his choice now is either to maintain the nucleus he has built or cast it aside for another young crop of players.
It's hard to imagine the Packers starting over, but the financial constraints of the NFL's salary cap will likely result in some players being excluded. That unavoidable byproduct has added a new layer to locker room dynamics as players try to figure out where they stand and inevitably compare their situations to others'.
