NEW ORLEANS – Tyjae Spears is a success story from these parts, a Ponchatoula native who starred at Tulane and then was drafted into the NFL.
Here on Saturday, the running back was celebrated on a day when a massive mural of him in his Titans uniform was put on display.
It was all part of a community event at City Gear in Gentilly, La., and part of a thank you to Spears for all he does to support his home and community.
"I have to shout it out to God for this special opportunity," Spears said. "I've been blessed."
A third-round draft pick of the Titans in the 2023 NFL Draft, Spears just finished his second season with the club. Spears ran 312 yards and four touchdowns in 2024, while also catching 30 passes for 224 yards and another score.
Spears spends a good chunk of his offseasons back home in the New Orleans area, and with Super Bowl LIX in town this weekend, it turned into a celebration.
Spears was part of a panel in front of high schoolers, when he discussed how sports helped him achieve his dreams.
The mural inspired by was created by Jay McKay, a local NOLA artist.
"What an honor," Spears said as he admired the work. "It's amazing."
The organizers of the event said Super Bowl week provided the perfect time to close out what's been a long journey with the On the Rise content for Spears.
"City Gear and Nike are collaborating to tell my story, called On the Rise," Spears said. "They're telling my story, the timeline of my story, from when I started in high school all the way to the NFL.
"They've been showing a lot of love to me."
Jets linebacker Quincy Williams and Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux were also part of the panel for high schoolers from St. Mary's Academy, St. Augustine High School and Frederick A Douglass High School.
In addition to the panel, the high schoolers participates in skills and drills games, created their own Mardi Gras beads, and played Madden. They also customized their Fanatics Super Bowl LIX shirts, and sampled local food trucks.
Spears mingled with the kids, and had fun himself.
What was his biggest message to them?
"Talk to them and tell them how my life has turned out pretty good," Spears said, "but you have to make good decisions and have a mindset that you want to do something big.
"And, if I can do it, you can do it."
