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NFL Notebook: Thousands attend memorial for McNair
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Published: July 10, 2009
■ Titans: People turned out by the thousands in Nashville yesterday, donning their Tennessee gear or their finest clothes on a steamy hot day for the chance to honor Steve McNair, the slain ex-NFL quarterback's accomplishments and charity work.
They lined up outside a funeral home to view the closed silvery-gray casket topped with white lilies next to a portrait of McNair. A helicopter provided live TV footage as McNair's body was taken by hearse to his church for a memorial planned for last night.
Titans owner Bud Adams, Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen, and many of McNair's current and former teammates were expected to attend the memorial service. Derrick Mason, who played with McNair in both Tennessee and Baltimore, was scheduled to speak along with Titans coach Jeff Fisher.
■ Cardinals: The Arizona Cardinals have signed third-round draft pick Rashad Johnson to a three-year contract.
Johnson, a 5-11, 203-pound safety from Alabama, was the 95th selection.
Johnson, a walk-on out of high school, was a leader of the powerful Crimson Tide defense and is expected to fight for the backup role behind Adrian Wilson and Antrel Rolle and for a spot in the Cardinals' "nickel" defense.
Arizona also released wide receiver Shane Morales, who had signed as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Oregon State on April 27.
The defending NFC champions report for training camp in Flagstaff on July 29.
■ Redskins: Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth has pleaded no contest to a reckless driving charge in Tennessee and will be on probation for three months.
Court records from show that Haynesworth entered his plea yesterday morning in the Nashville suburb of Franklin.
He's required to perform 25 hours of community service, make a $5,000 charitable contribution and attend driving school.
The charge stems from a Dec. 13 incident in which prosecutors said that Haynesworth tried to pass another driver, who crashed into a concrete median and was badly injured.
■ Jaguars: Jacksonville signed wide receiver Mike Thomas, itsfourth-round draft pick, and released defensive back Calvin Lowry.
Thomas, a four-year starter at Arizona as a receiver and return specialist, finished as the Pac-10's all-time leader in receptions with 259. He was third in school history with 3,231 yards receiving and 23 touchdowns.
Lowry was signed by the Jaguars in December and was inactive for the final two games. He played in 43 games for Tennessee and Denver.
■ Miscellaneous: Commissioner Roger Goodell has reached the summit of Mount Rainier.
Mountaineering legend Ed Viesturs said yesterday that Goodell had to dig deep physically and mentally to reach the 14,411-foot peak on Wednesday morning.
Viesturs said Goodell, 50, was choked up after reaching the tallest summit in the rugged Cascade range.
, a climb he made with Seahawks coach Jim Mora.
In what Viesturs and fellow climbing guide Peter Whittaker called perfect conditions, Goodell and Mora reached the top about 7 1/2 hours after they departed the Camp Muir base camp in the pre-dawn dark.
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