By Teresa M. Walker
The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair apologized Thursday for his arrest hours earlier on charges of drunken 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 Titans 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.

"It's something that you don't usually see out of me. But I put myself in a situation. I've got to get out of it, and I will bounce back from it," McNair said.

McNair was stopped just after midnight by a police officer who saw his sports utility vehicle weaving on a downtown street. 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 level of presumed intoxication of 0.10. He was released on $3,000 bond after appearing in night court and is due back in court June 26.

McNair was "pleasant and cooperative," police spokesman Don Aaron said.

The weapon charge involves a 9 mm 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.

The quarterback later met with Fisher for 90 minutes and wanted to take part in a workout. But Fisher told him to skip it.

"He understands the light that it shines on him, his family, the organization and the National Football League," Fisher said. "From our standpoint, we realize the seriousness of his actions. We will stand behind Steve and support Steve as an organization."

McNair is coming off his best season, in which he finished third in the NFL's MVP race. He played through a variety of injuries and rallied the Titans from a 1-4 start to the AFC championship game.

McNair had career highs in yards passing (3,387), touchdowns (22) and a franchise best for consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass (23).

Now the DUI charge will result in the NFL evaluating McNair for an aftercare program.

Backup quarterback Billy Volek called McNair's arrest unfortunate.

"For that to happen really startles me, because we've gone out and we've always gotten rides home. We've always been smart about our decisions. It surprised me. But all of us, we're behind him 100 percent," Volek said.

Such legal problems have been very rare for the Titans since they relocated to Tennessee from Houston in 1997.

Defensive back George McCullough was arrested for disorderly conduct in December 1998 and lasted just one more season with the franchise. Cornerback Steve Jackson was charged with patronizing a prostitute in 1999, his last year with the team. Cornerback Denard Walker served a year's probation after pleading guilty to an assault charge in 1999.

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