McNair Apologizes Following His Arrest

Tennessee Titan quarterback Steve McNair apologized Thursday for his arrest hours earlier in Nashville on charges of drunk driving and illegal possession of a handgun.

“This is something I didn’t think that would ever happen, but this is something that we’ve just got to deal with, and I will with the support ... of my teammates, coaches, family and friends,” McNair said.

“I will get over it.”

McNair read his short statement while flanked by Titan Coach Jeff Fisher, General Manager Floyd Reese and President Jeff Diamond. He didn’t take any questions and concluded by apologizing to his fans, particularly the children who look up to him.

McNair was stopped just after midnight by a police officer who saw his sports utility vehicle weaving. The quarterback’s eyes were bloodshot, his breath smelled of alcohol and he acknowledged drinking, police said.

He failed a field sobriety test and a blood-alcohol test produced a reading of 0.18, well above Tennessee’s legal level of 0.10. He was released on $3,000 bond and is due back in court June 26.

The weapon charge involves a handgun found in the console between the front seats of his SUV. McNair has a permit for the handgun, but an intoxicated person may not legally carry a loaded weapon. The pistol was seized.

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Receiver Charles Lee signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.... Receiver Dedric Ward signed with the New England Patriots. Terms were not disclosed.

Tennis

Top-seeded Andy Roddick advanced to the semifinals of the Raiffeisen Grand Prix with a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Richard Krajicek at St. Poelten, Austria.

In the semifinals, Roddick will play Spanish clay-court specialist David Sanchez, who beat Mario Ancic, 6-1, 6-4.

Top-seeded Chanda Rubin beat Paola Suarez, 6-2, 6-4, to advance to the semifinals of the Spanish Open in Madrid.

Rubin next faces Iroda Tulyaganova, who defeated Cara Black, 7-5, 6-4.

Karolina Sprem of Croatia defeated Maja Matevzic of Slovenia, 7-6 (0), 3-6, 6-2, to reach the semifinals of the Strasbourg Open at Strasbourg, France.

Sprem, ranked 163rd, won for the sixth consecutive time this week, including three qualifying matches.

The United States lost, 2-1, to the Czech Republic, denying the Americans a spot in the final of the World Team Cup at Duesseldorf, Germany. The Czechs will play Chile or defending champion Argentina in Saturday’s final.

Anna Kournikova and Richard Krajicek withdrew from the French Open because of injuries.

Miscellany

The Coliseum Commission filed a notice of preparation for an environmental impact report. The move is another step in the process of putting together an NFL stadium proposal.

The U.S. national water polo team, playing without leading scorer Tony Azevedo, defeated Australia, 10-8, at El Toro High. Jesse Smith and Matt Flesher led the U.S. with two goals each. Azevedo didn’t play because he was taking final exams at Stanford.

Winston Cup driver Jerry Nadeau has regained consciousness and is speaking again, nearly three weeks after he crashed during practice at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.

The San Jose Sharks picked up their $3-million contract option for next season on Mike Ricci, a dependable two-way center.... The Edmonton Oilers signed General Manager Kevin Lowe to a four-year contract extension.

Jordan Howell will enroll at Tennessee this summer and join the basketball team after being released from his scholarship to Georgia.

Anaheim is among five finalists to host the 2004 U.S. Olympic gymnastics trials. The other finalists are Houston, New Orleans, Minneapolis/St. Paul and San Jose.

Passings

Joseph B. “JB” Spencer Jr., who played with the Homestead Grays and Birmingham Black Barons in three Negro Leagues championships, has died at Gretna, La. He was 83.