The Associated Press, along with member newspapers and broadcasters, named Titans quarterback Steve McNair's Co-MVP award as Tennessee's top sports story of 2004.

McNair received the Co-MVP award, along with Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, on Jan. 2.

Hours after being named Co-MVP, McNair told reporters what it meant to be the first black quarterback to receive the honor.

''The Warren Moons, the Doug Williams, the Randall Cunninghams - those guys paved the way for us as black quarterbacks to come into the league and be successful. Those guys had great careers, made the ultimate path for myself,'' McNair told the Tennessean.