Steve McNair not the only Titan to die young
At least nine Oilers/Titans have died since the team moved to Tennessee. Here's a look at the nine, and their impact on the organization:
STEVE McNAIR
Position: Quarterback.
Years with Titans: 1999-2005.
Died: July 4, 2009.
Cause of death: Murdered.
Age: 36.
Memories: On the field, McNair made a name for himself as a tough and rugged player. He was named co-MVP in 2003, but left a lasting impression with his play in Super Bowl XXXIV. McNair was approachable and generous in the community, but an unfortunate off-field decision in his personal life ultimately contributed to his death.
ROB BIRONAS
Position: Kicker
Years with Titans: 2005-2013
Died: September 20, 2014
Cause of death: Car accident
As a Titan: He made a franchise-record 11 game-winning field goals, including a 60-yarder against the Indianapolis Colts in 2006 that remains the longest field goal in Oilers or Titans history. He had 1,032 points in his nine-year career, just 28 points behind Al Del Greco, the top scorer in the history of the Houston Oilers / Tennessee Titans organization, and he made 85.7 percent of his field-goal attempts (239 of 279) to rank fourth in NFL history in accuracy.
RODNEY THOMAS
Position: Running back.
Years with Titans: 1999-2000.
Died: June 14, 2014.
Cause of death: Autopsy results are pending.
Age: 41.
As a Titan: Thomas might be the best No.2 running back ever to play for the Titans. After being drafted by the Oilers in 1995, he backed up Eddie George from 1996 to 2000. He was a member of the Super Bowl XXXIV squad, and was one of the 11 on the field for the Music City Miracle. Thomas was a likeable guy who finished his career with 1,973 rushing yards, 631 receiving yards and 15 total touchdowns.
TODD WILLIAMS
Position: Offensive tackle.
Years with Titans: 2003-05.
Died: January 6, 2014.
Cause of death: Toxicology results unknown; complained of abdominal pains in months before his death.
Age: 35.
As a Titan: A seventh round pick by the Titans in 2005, Williams became very popular with his teammates after his unlikely climb into the NFL. The Florida State product lived on the streets as a teenager, but eventually got his life back on track. He appeared in seven games with the Titans.
FRANK CHAMBERLIN
Position: Linebacker.
Years with Titans: 2000-02.
Died: November 17, 2013.
Cause of death: Brain cancer.
Age: 35.
As a Titan: Arrived in the same draft class as linebackers Keith Bulluck and Peter Sirmon, a fifth-round pick out of Boston College. Chamberlin played in 43 games in his career for the Titans, before finishing his career with the Bengals and Texans. He was a hard-nosed, popular player, who fought the cancer for a year.
JESSE MAHELONA
Position: Defensive tackle.
Years with Titans: 2006-07.
Died: September 5, 2009.
Cause of death: Died in an automobile accident in Hawaii.
Age: 26.
As a Titan: The former University of Tennessee star was drafted in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL draft by the Titans, where he played in 10 games as a rookie. He had a personality, and had a big time in the locker room alongside former Vol lineman Albert Haynesworth. After his released from the Titans, Mahelona also spent time with the Dolphins and Falcons.
DAMIEN NASH
Position: Running back.
Years with Titans: 2005.
Died: February 24, 2007.
Cause of death: Sudden cardiac death after playing in celebrity basketball game.
Age: 24.
As a Titan: Nash was a fifth-round pick by the Titans in 2005, and he appeared in six games during his rookie season. The emergence of Travis Henry in Tennessee led to his eventual release in Tennessee, and he was signed by the Broncos. Proceeds of the celebrity basketball game Nash took part in the night he died were to benefit the Darris Nash Find A Heart Foundation, created after Nash's 25-year-old brother received a heart transplant.
O.J. MURDOCK
Position: Receiver.
Years with Titans: 2011.
Died: July 30, 2012.
Cause of death: Self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Age: 25.
As a Titan: The Titans signed Murdock as an undrafted free agent, and went through offseason workouts with the team in 2011. He suffered an Achilles injury in training camp, however, and was placed on IR Murdock was due back in Nashville when he was found dead in the parking lot of his high school alma mater. Several teammates with the Titans attended his funeral.
MARIO BRANCH
Position: Offensive tackle.
Years with Titans: 2003-04.
Died: April 8, 2011.
Cause of death: Congestive heart failure.
Age: 31.
As a Titan: The 6-foot-7, 345-pounder was with the Titans during the 2003 and 2004 training camps, but he never made the final roster. He played for the Nashville Storm in 2007. Branch had been living in Nashville and working as a security guard until his death.
Reach Jim Wyatt at 259-8015 or on Twitter @jwyattsports