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As the Titans Caravan arrived at 8:50 a.m., in time for the 9 a.m. kickoff, enthusiastic fans were already gathered in groups preparing to take pictures, holding Titans memorabilia to be autographed and wearing team apparel to show support.
Fans waited anxiously to see the initial appearance of Collins entering Kroger. Within a matter of seconds, the line of waiting fans began to extend into an adjacent aisle, which caused some fans to test their patience.
Smiles filled the faces of mothers, and children as they got their chance to get an autograph from an NFL star. One father, Rob Harris, was present with his teenage daughter, Baley, a sophomore at Independence High located down the road from Kroger.
"We are huge Titans fans," Harris said. "I agreed to allow Baley to go in late today for school because she has done so well this year. We love the Titans and invite family over to watch every game."
"I found out last Saturday that Kerry was coming, so I asked my dad in advance if I could go," Baley said with a grin.
Along with Collins, six-time Pro Bowl mascot T-Rac and the "Voice of the Titans" Mike Keith, circulated throughout the crowd. Fans stretched their arms for heart to heart hugs with T-Rac and the opportunity for him to autograph t-shirts and hats.
One die-hard fan, Michael Kisiel, from Columbia, Tenn., has attended more than 20 Caravan events over the the last 11 years. He recalled appearances made at malls, banks and sporting good sites, among others.
"It's a fantastic thing to get to interact with the players that you see on TV and to see them in person," Kisiel said as he held tight to his autographed football. "The Titans have a good chance of being undefeated this year."
Tom Williford, a reporter for WMCP radio in Columbia, Tenn., has covered similar Caravan events for years.
"Several years ago they delivered a great message to kids at Central High School in Columbia," Williford recalled. "There was one stop at Farmers and Merchants Bank, where we had hotdogs and it was just great that people were able to come out to such a wonderful event and really enjoy it."
Collins met with every fan, including Spring Hill native Jimmy Timmons, who was delighted to be in the midst of the festivity. Loaded with posters, football cards and a passion for the NFL, Timmons expressed his love for the Titans.
"It was awesome getting to see Kerry," Timmons said. "I had to come out and shake his hand for a great season last year. He played real well and is doing a great job showing the younger guys how they need to do things. I love watching the Titans play and I hope they have a great season this year."
Titans Caravan is a unique way for the organization to reach out and connect with fans across all of Tennessee and the Mid-South. While the thought of a personal encounter with an NFL player might seem far-fetched, Titans Caravan welcomes everyone, allowing a time for trading appreciation between fans and players.
Following the appearance in Thompson's Station, the Caravan made an 11 a.m. visit to Thomas Intermediate School in Shelbyville, where Collins and Keith spoke to enthusiastic students about the importance of studying and exercise..
Collins also made appearances in Shelbyville, Fayetteville and Huntsville, Ala., and was later joined by recent free agent acquisition Nate Washington for the final stop of the day in Florence, Ala.
Washington will continue on Friday's tour, including public stops in Lawrenceburg, Pulaski and Franklin. Public Caravan stops give fans the chance to meet and greet the team personnel. Each public event provides fans an opportunity to collect autographs and take pictures with the Titans, while the team receives an opportunity to thank its fans. There is no charge to attend any of the Titans Caravan XII public events and each stop lasts approximately one hour.
Titans Caravan XII will end with a special visit on Thursday, April 23 with soldiers and family members of the 101st Airborne Division and the 160th SOAR(A) of the US Army at Fort Campbell, Ky. Multiple players, cheerleaders, T-Rac and staff will be part of the day, as they take the opportunity to thank our troops and their families for the great sacrifice that they make for all of us.
