Tuesday is traditionally the only day off for NFL players during the season but Titans players use the day to make special appearances throughout the community, including local schools and Saint Thomas hospitals.
Hospital visits:
Players visit with Saint Thomas hospital patients receiving care ranging from cancer treatment and chemotherapy to heart surgery. Players also visit families welcoming new babies, including those in the NICU.
[photo of Marcus holding a baby]
School visits:
The Titans school program – implemented at both the middle and elementary school level – is focused on promoting the NFL's PLAY 60 and Fuel Up to PLAY 60 campaign. During an assembly, Titans players share their personal story and the importance of making good choices, staying focused, making homework a priority before outside activities, staying in school, and listening to their parents and teachers. The players also stress the importance of healthy eating and leading an active lifestyle. Following the assembly, select students – nominated by their schools for leadership, grades and behavior – are invited to a special meet-and-greet opportunity.
Tennessee State Parks began a partnership with the Titans school program in spring 2012 and has added further educational elements to the program that include displaying of bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, owls and other animals in the care of Tennessee State Park rangers. There are 54 state parks across Tennessee and any one of them is a great place to be active.
Additional partners of the Titans school program include the State of Tennessee Department of Health, the American Heart Association and the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association.