The details have emerged in the Steve McNair death case – and they are not pretty.

McNair was found dead in a downtown Nashville condo (of which he was the owner).  Also found dead with him was a 20-year-old woman named Sahel Kazemi.  More information has revealed that the two had been in a dating relationship for at least a few months leading up to Saturday’s events.

Also recently revealed – Kazemi had been stopped and charged with a DUI a few days earlier in the week.  Steve McNair was a passenger in the vehicle, which he owned.

Details have emerged suggesting that – from Kazemi’s understanding – the 4-time Pro-Bowler was going to divorce his wife of 12 years, Mechelle.  The married couple has 4 sons and a seemingly happy life.

Mechelle McNair seemed to be unaware of Steve's infidelity.

In the middle of all of this is the reality surrounding the consequences of an extra-marital relationship.  We’ve all seen this story unfolds in the movies so often.  McNair gets involved with a girl about half his age.  She has visions of living a life of grandeur with a retired NFL quarterback – a guy who is a legend in his home state. 

Now, in most cases like this the guy is not eager to get divorced – he just wants a little something on the side.  But the young girls – being naive – get their emotions drawn in.  At that point, situations like the McNair killing become inflammatory.

Evidence has ruled McNair’s death as a homicide.  Kazemi’s death has all of the characteristics of a suicide.  So, it seems that in a tragic ending, McNair gets all tangled up in his own web of lies and deceit.

But what about the real victim here?  Mechelle McNair will never have the chance to:

- say goodbye to her husband and father of her children

- confront (and get answers from) her husband about his infidelity

- tell her husband’s mistress that she needs to get her own man

In addition to the obvious embarrassment, how do you move forward?  How do you explain his actions to the kids?  How can you defend your husband’s legacy when his actions have you “very upset” and “very distraught?”

Unfortunately, Mechelle and her children only have one choice in the matter – pick up the pieces and move on.  The best that can come from this headline is a tale of caution.  Playing with 240-pound linebackers is a lot safer than playing with someone’s heart.