NASHVILLE, Tenn. —Hundreds of fans helped issue a Titans Code Blue Friday afternoon during a season kick-off pep rally at downtown's Walk of Fame Park.
Fans were able to show their enthusiasm for the return of football and display their Titans spirit by wearing light blue and other Titans gear as Tennessee prepared to open the 2012 regular season by hosting the New England Patriots on Sunday at LP Field.
The Titans partnered with The Tennessean to organize the inaugural event that included appearances by Titans players, the Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders, "Voice of the Titans" Mike Keith, Titans mascot T-Rac, musician James Otto, television host Shane Tallant, the Stephen Salyers Band and the Station Camp High School Thundering Herd Band.
Pinnacle Bank, LP Building Products, Bob Parks Auctions, 104.5 The Zone and *The Tennessean *presented the event that also included promotional item giveaways such as Titans Code Blue Farm Bureau Insurance hats, interactive games for youth and numerous photo opportunities.
Don MacLachlan, Titans executive vice president of administration and facilities, presented Nashville Mayor Karl Dean with a personalized 12th Titan jersey in honor for what the mayor's administration has accomplished. MacLachlan thanked Mayor Dean for the great partnership the Titans enjoy with the City of Nashville and thanked fans for their enthusiasm and sponsors for their support.
Keith introduced Titans tight end Jared Cook, safety Michael Griffin, linebacker Colin McCarthy and cornerback Jason McCourty to an enthusiastic crowd and conducted question-and-answer sessions before each player signed numerous autographs as the program continued. Keith also interviewed Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean to ask the long-time Titans beat writer's take on the upcoming season.
McCarthy arrived at the event early and joined fans at the interactive football game area where he threw passes at targets with 6-year-old Jackson Kitch, who accurately hit one of the targets.
"That's going to surprise your daddy," Jackson's mother Bethany told her son after the activity with McCarthy. "We are having fun with the games, and this is an awesome event."
Cecil Williams and 5-year-old Carvarious Bowers of Goodlettsville said they enjoyed attending the event. Williams, who has been a season-ticket holder since 1999, said he liked that the pep rally increased the interest that Carvarious has in football.
Although the pep rally occurred two days before the Titans' first game, fans were able to experience the thrill of winning when their names were pulled for door prizes that included gift cards the NFL Shop, a football autographed by Titans head coach Mike Munchak, a football autographed by Chris Johnson, an authentic helmet that Cook, Griffin, McCarthy and McCourty signed and tickets to Sunday's game.
