A professor of sociology believes that retirement may have played a role in the extramarital affairs of ex-NFL quarterback Steve McNair. "Based on my research, I think many male professional athletes have a very difficult time transitioning out of their careers into other careers," said Steven Ortiz, an associate professor of sociology at Oregon State University. "I had wives who told me their husbands behaved in ways that were completely contradictory to the way he used to behave during his career. "... I think you're looking at a transitional process as they disengage from a world that has identified them and defined them. They're kind of lost. They're disoriented. They're not quite sure what to do. They have to actually redefine themselves into a different identity into a role apart from that of the professional athlete." McNair retired in 2007 after 11 seasons in the NFL. "When they do transition out of a career in professional sports they have to re-skill themselves somehow because they are no longer in demand as professional athletes," Ortiz said. "Those skill sets aren't mandatory anymore so they have to readjust and redefine themselves, develop a new identity. Some ... will never make that transition."