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Staff Report January 1, 2003
Quarterback Steve McNair's late-season play made the NFL MVP voting close, but Oakland quarterback Rich Gannon took the award.
Gannon finished first with 19 votes followed by Green Bay's Brett Favre with 15. McNair, who did not practice the final five weeks of the season yet guided the Titans to a 5-0 record, finished third with 11.
''Rich had a great season and set a lot of records,'' Head Coach Jeff Fisher said. ''But this is the first time Steve has been mentioned. He finished up real strong so I think it is a good reflection on Steve and his teammates.''
McNair did take home AFC Offensive Player of the Month honors Wednesday for the month of December. In five December games, McNair completed 81 of 133 passes for 970 yards, five touchdowns and just one interception despite not practicing. McNair also ran the ball 26 times for 197 yards and two touchdowns.
''I finished third in the Heisman, was drafted third, so this third thing is working pretty well for me,'' McNair joked. ''Seriously, it's nice to get the recognition.''
Chiefs running back Priest Holmes, Tampa Bay linebacker Derrick Brooks, and Falcons quarterback Michael Vick each took one vote in the results released Wednesday.
McNair is the first offensive player to win the monthly award since 1993. Derrick Mason won Special Teams honors in October, 2000.
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