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I'll always remember the behind the scenes things, what he really brought to the table -- leadership and toughness. He was the definition of a true teammate and what a warrior was all about. To me and the people that played against him, he was the toughest player to ever play this game. He was a guy that everyone feared and played the game like no one else before. He started that mold as a two-way kind of guy – a tough guy that would do whatever it took to win, was as hard to bring down as a fullback and a guy that could absolutely kill you with his athletic skill. To me, I think he had the respect of everyone whoever suited up with him and anyone who played against him.
I could talk about any number of plays, but to me it was about when he was getting knocked around, throwing his body around and slowly walking back to the huddle. He was a guy that would say, 'Hey guys, isn't this fun?' He would look guys in the eyes and I had a front row seat to see the joy and the passion in his eyes that we were going to go get it done. He was going to lead us to victory. He always wanted us to stop stressing out and to have fun and it really was contagious.
Steve played the game the way it was supposed to be played, not for the glory, not for the press, not for the money, but because he was a true competitor and he wanted to prove a lot of people wrong. It was all about the love of the game and I think after his career he was at peace with where he was at with his family, his sons and what he was giving back to the community.
It is a shame for this to happen. Talking with Eddie (George) and Dyson (Kevin) as his teammates, this is our time to keep his legacy alive and lift him up and let people know what he meant to us and to the Titans organization.
