Titans defensive end to visit Leitchfield, Owensboro, Madisonville, Murray and Paducah; *Cortland Finnegan and Michael Griffin to join last stop of the day*
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Hayes will begin the day with an 8:30 a.m. public appearance at the McDonald's (714 S. Main St.) in Leitchfield. The Caravan then continues with a public stop at the O'Charley's (5205 Frederica St.) in Owensboro at 11:00a.m.
Public Caravan stops give all fans the chance to collect autographs and take pictures with the Titans. There is no charge to attend any of the Titans Caravan XIII public events, and each stop lasts approximately one hour.
Following the visit in Owensboro, Hayes along with Titans mascot T-Rac, the "Voice of the Titans" Mike Keith and Titans Radio Gameday Host Larry Stone, will travel to Madisonville and present the school program to the students at Grapevine Elementary School. The students from Jesse Stuart Elementary School will also be in attendance for the assembly.
During the Caravan school visits, which are closed to the general public, the Titans deliver a message to students about developing study habits, making good choices and setting goals. Also, the NFL's "Play 60" theme is emphasized, encouraging children to stay healthy by getting daily exercise.
Following the school appearance in Madisonville, Hayes will make a pair of public stops, appearing first at the Lodge of Murray Steak & Seafood House (1674 Rte. 121 N.) in Murray at 4:00 p.m. From there, Finnegan and Griffin will join the Caravan for the final stop of the day at the AT&T store (Kentucky Oaks Mall, 5134 Hinkleville Rd., Ste. 100) in Paducah at 6:30 p.m.
Hayes is entering his third season with the Titans after being selected by the club in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. In 2009, he enjoyed a breakout campaign by playing in all 16 games with 11 starts and collecting career-highs with 82 tackles, four sacks, 23 quarterback pressures, five tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
Finnegan led the team with five interceptions and 13 passes defensed last season. The fifth-year cornerback enjoyed his most successful campaign in 2008 when he was named a starter in the Pro Bowl after posting five interceptions and a career-best 20 passes defensed. Finnegan was originally selected by the Titans in the seventh round (215th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft.
Griffin, one of the best young safeties in the NFL, displays great range and playmaking ability in the secondary. In 2009, the Titans' 2007 first-round pick played in all 16 games with 15 starts and finished third on the team with 108 tackles. He was named to the 2008 Pro Bowl after starting all 16 games and finishing tied for second in the NFL with a team-high seven interceptions.
A total of 42 Titans Caravan stops in Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama have been scheduled over a span of nearly two weeks, concluding just hours before the start of the 2010 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 22. The vast majority of Caravan visits are presented by one of nearly 70 affiliates of the Titans Radio Network, the exclusive radio home of the Titans.
Over the last 12 years, Titans Caravan has made over 600 stops and allowed the team to interact directly with an estimated audience well in excess of 100,000 fans. Since its beginning in 1998 as a small effort to spread goodwill through the region, the Caravan has evolved to include six full-time staffers that travel with Titans players, broadcasters and T-Rac throughout the Mid-South on a specially-decorated motor coach from Premiere Transportation.
