NASHVILLE, Tenn. — João Pedro Nassar's 14th birthday is one he'll never forget.
The Titans— his favorite NFL team — beat the New York Jets 14-10, and he was in the front row behind Tennessee's bench to see it.
João Pedro and his family traveled nearly 5,000 miles from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to attend Monday night's game at LP Field. João Pedro said it was an "amazing experience" to attend his first Titans game. He also was thrilled to appear on the Titantron video board during the game.
João Pedro is a huge Titans fan, despite living in a country where soccer has the strongest foothold. He has acquired a significant amount of merchandise and memorabilia that includes a Colin McCarthy jersey signed by multiple players.
He opted to wear his Jake Locker jersey to the game because he didn't want the autographs to be damaged if it rained, and was able to cheer as Locker scored what wound up being the game-winning touchdown on a 13-yard run in the third quarter. João Pedro also got to see first-hand how fast Chris Johnson is on the running back's franchise record 94-yard TD run.
"Football is becoming bigger and bigger every day in Brazil," João Pedro said. "I have some friends that like too."
João Pedro and his brother Gabriel were able to meet several Titans outside the team hotel on Sunday to pose for pictures and encourage the team.
João Pedro got pictures with Johnson, Titans coach Mike Munchak, Kendall Wright, Alterraun Verner, Jurrell Casey, Derrick Morgan and Zach Brown, and his brother got a picture with Kenny Britt. João Pedro also took a picture with Deuce Lutui, who knew some Portuguese and was able to talk with him.
"They were all very nice," João Pedro said.
