"People around this world and even here now, have a tension in their spirit. What is the response of the church in a moment like this?
"Oh, I know that is the big elephant in the room. What says the church in a moment like this?
"People want to know. I stand between two places as priest and prophet — as priest to this family and ministering to them, and yet prophet to speak to the nation of what thus sayeth God.
"There was a woman one day caught in adultery, and the religious people brought her to Jesus. And they said to Jesus, the law says she should be stoned. Jesus knelt down and drew in the sand. He looked up and said, 'Ye without sin, cast the first stone.'
"They began to drop their stones, from the youngest to the oldest. And I have come to declare from the youngest to the oldest in America and over this world, it's time to have a stone-dropping service.
"Drop your stone.
"Next time you write about Steve McNair, drop your stone. Next time you text somebody, drop your stone. The next time you Twitter, drop your stone. Those of you in the barbershops, those of you walking the streets or on the corner, drop your stones.
"What I do know about this man is that he loved God. And he was just like us. Imperfect. But he knew God."
Dantrell Williams,
Nashville's Boys and Girls Clubs
"I have a lot to share about Steve. I have 11 years of great things in the community that we have done together.
"As I was watching the highlight reels and all the good things he has done with teammates all around the country ... I never made a play with Steve on the field, but he was my teammate off the field. He made some big plays out here in the community for Nashville's children. And that is something I will never forget.
"And I know you have all your different stories of Steve and the fourth-quarter heroics, but I have one to share with you that you might not know.
"We did a toy drive for kids at Christmas about three years ago. And we served about 300 kids during that event. And that is a lot of kids to serve. And we still had about 70 kids left in the bleachers with nothing for Christmas and you should have saw those looks. Those looks that I couldn't take. I made a call. ...
"I made that call and told Steve I had 70 kids with no Christmas. We did all that we could but I needed a little help to make this Christmas possible for these kids. ...
"Within 30 minutes, gift cards from Walmart and Target starting flowing through that gym for those 70 kids. You should have seen those fourth-quarter heroics come to life, thanks to Steve. ...
"Do Steve's life some justice and step up your game."
Jeff Fisher,
Titans head coach
"Steve's heart was full. Full of love and joy and compassion, as you will continue to hear. But there was still a void. But that void has been filled, as our Lord has filled that void in his heart.
"As we speak, Steve is sitting in the pressbox with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, with headsets on, smiling, laughing and listening to this right now. No more turf toe. No more sacks. No more shoulder problems and no more interceptions or touchdown passes. I am going to miss you, number 9."
Derrick Mason
of the Baltimore Ravens
"Mechelle, you were a loving wife, until his final days. Always caring for him in every possible way, all that a husband could have asked for and want. I know that today is difficult for you, but remember that Steve is no longer suffering.
"As you share tears of hurt, remember that Steve is shedding tears of joy. As you think and reflect and ask questions that we all struggle with, remember that Steve's questions are gone. As you sit here and remember your husband, and as boys you remember, your father is with his heavenly father. He is watching you, he is not thinking about death. He is more alive than he has ever been before. Steve is happy beyond what our minds can comprehend."
Don Weatherell,
Steve McNair Foundation
"I am still stunned and sad of why we have all gathered here tonight.
"We lost a good man, someone we all cared about deeply, and someone we will never, ever forget. Mechelle wanted me to say a few words tonight about Steve and the good work he did in his foundation, in helping people who weren't quite as fortunate as he was.
"Steve always believed it was important to give back to the communities that gave so much to him.
"I can remember on several occasions the Titans finding out after the fact about a visit Steve made to a children's hospital, a Boys and Girls Club, or an inner-city youth center. Either Bob, Robby, or Ralph and the Titans would say, 'We would have loved to have known about this ahead of time, so we could get some media out there.' But that's not why Steve did those things. He did it for one reason. And that was because he wanted to. That's who he was. And that is how I always remember him."
