NASHVILLE – Brett Kern strolled into his retirement ceremony on Thursday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park, and he was immediately swarmed the same way special teamers are taught to cover punts.
The long-time Titans punter, who played 15 seasons in the NFL, including 13 in Tennessee, received congratulations from the large number of former teammates and coaches who showed up for the press conference.
When Kern made his way to the podium, he thanked everyone for being there, as well as those who supported him from afar during the course of his NFL career.
Consider his retirement speech – one he timed at 13 minutes, 48 seconds in his mirror at home – a job well done.
Just like his career.
"To have the career I was blessed to have, it was pretty special," Kern said. "Really special."
Kern said he always felt the love from the fan base.
"Thank you to the fans," Kern said. "There are not many words that can describe my thankfulness, for the love and support through the years y'all have shown my family and I. The number of fans who have told me they waited to get a drink or buy a snack until fourth down was over means the world to me.
"Your compliments over the years honestly fueled me to be the best I could be. I didn't want to let any of you down. Thank you for letting me represent you on the field."
During the course of his playing career, Kern he appeared in 223 regular season games and recorded 1,006 punts for 46,136 yards (45.9 avg.) with 396 kicks placed inside the opponents' 20-yard line. He was named to three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2017 to 2019, earned first team Associated Press All-Pro honors in 2019, and was a two-time team captain (2020 & 2021).
Kern, who also had stints with the Broncos and Eagles, concluded his Tennessee career as the franchise's leader in punts (923), gross punting average (45.9 yards), net punting average (40.8) and punts placed inside the 20 (373). Kern owns nine of the top 10 net punting seasons in franchise history and six of the team's top nine gross punting seasons. With 197 career games played with the Titans, Kern ranks third in franchise history behind Bruce Matthews (296) and Elvin Bethea (210). His total is the most for any player during the franchise's "Titans era" (since 1999).
Kern got emotional when talking about his wife, Tiffany, and the couple's three children.
"Thank you for being my support, my encourager, and my one consistent through the ups and downs over the last 15 seasons," Kern said as he looked at his wife. "We've come a long way together in this journey."

So, what's next for Kern?
"There's just a lot more to catch up on," Kern said. "(My family) has sacrificed a lot through the years, from the training camps to the road trips. … I'm just looking at more family time, a little bit more travel time. And we'll just see what's next. I am just excited for this new chapter."
Kern finished his career in Tennessee as the team's all-time career leader in punts (923), gross punting average (45.9 yards), net punting average (40.8) and punts placed inside the 20 (373). Kern owns nine of the top 10 net punting seasons in franchise history and six of the team's top nine gross punting seasons.


Brett Kern announces his retirement on June 01, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Brett Kern announces his retirement on June 01, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Brett Kern announces his retirement on June 01, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Brett Kern announces his retirement on June 01, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Brett Kern announces his retirement on June 01, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Brett Kern announces his retirement on June 01, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Brett Kern announces his retirement on June 01, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Brett Kern announces his retirement on June 01, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Brett Kern announces his retirement on June 01, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Brett Kern announces his retirement on June 01, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Brett Kern announces his retirement on June 01, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Brett Kern announces his retirement on June 01, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Brett Kern announces his retirement on June 01, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Brett Kern announces his retirement on June 01, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Brett Kern announces his retirement on June 01, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Brett Kern announces his retirement on June 01, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Brett Kern announces his retirement on June 01, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Brett Kern announces his retirement on June 01, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Brett Kern announces his retirement on June 01, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Brett Kern announces his retirement on June 01, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Kern finished his career in Tennessee as the team's all-time career leader in punts (923), gross punting average (45.9 yards), net punting average (40.8) and punts placed inside the 20 (373). Kern owns nine of the top 10 net punting seasons in franchise history and six of the team's top nine gross punting seasons.


NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 25, 2019 - Punter Brett Kern #6 of the Tennessee Titans and Kicker Ryan Succop #4 of the Tennessee Titans during the preseason home game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans vs. Cincinnati Bengals on November 12, 2017. Photos by Donn Jones Photography



NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 27, 2019 - Punter Brett Kern #6 of the Tennessee Titans during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans vs. Cleveland Browns on October 22, 2017. Photos by Donn Jones Photography

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 22, 2019 - Punter Brett Kern #6 of the Tennessee Titans punts the ball during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the New Orleans Saints at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. Photo By Sam Carbine/Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts on October 16, 2017. Photos by Donn Jones Photography

Tennessee Titans vs. New York Jets on August 12, 2017. Photos by Donn Jones Photography

Tennessee Titans punter Brett Kern (6), running back Derrick Henry (22), quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17), and defensive end Jurrell Casey (99) pose for a photo after 2020 Pro Bowl team portraits, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020 in Orlando, Fla. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

Punter Brett Kern #6 of the Tennessee Titans prior to the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at Nissan Stadium on DECEMBER 06, 2020 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Punter Brett Kern #6 of the Tennessee Titans during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at Nissan Stadium on DECEMBER 06, 2020 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Alison P. McNabb/Tennessee Titans

Punter Brett Kern #6 of the Tennessee Titans and Matt Overton #47 after the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at Nissan Stadium on DECEMBER 06, 2020 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Punter Brett Kern #6 of the Tennessee Titans during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens at Nissan Stadium on January 10, 2021 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Sam Carbine/Tennessee Titans

Taylor Lewan #77, Rodger Saffold III #76, Kevin Byard #31, Jayon Brown #55, Jeffery Simmons #98, and Brett Kern #6 during the coin toss before the preseason game between the Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears at Nissan Stadium on AUGUST 28, 2021 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Graham Dodd/Tennessee Titans

Punter Brett Kern #6 of the Tennessee Titans during the preseason game between the Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears at Nissan Stadium on AUGUST 28, 2021 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Punter Brett Kern #6 of the Tennessee Titans during the preseason game between the Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears at Nissan Stadium on August 28, 2021 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans

Punter Brett Kern #6 of the Tennessee Titans during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Kansas City Chiefs at Nissan Stadium on October 05, 2021 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Joe Howell/Tennessee Titans

Punter Brett Kern #6 of the Tennessee Titans during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 31, 2021 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Punter Brett Kern #6 of the Tennessee Titans during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on November 07, 2021 in Los Angeles, CA. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Punter Brett Kern #6 of the Tennessee Titans nameplate during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the New Orleans Saints at Nissan Stadium on NOVEMBER 14, 2021 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Punter Brett Kern #6 of the Tennessee Titans during the first half of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Punter Brett Kern #6 of the Tennessee Titans and Morgan Cox #46 during the second half of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans