Hospital Visits

! Titans players visit patients at Baptist or Saint Thomas Hospitals each Tuesday during football season.

A Tennessee Titans tradition during the season, Titans players can be found visiting either Baptist or Saint Thomas Hospitals each Tuesday, bringing smiles to the faces of hundreds of patients. It is all part of "Titan Tuesdays," a community initiative in which players use their only day off to reach out to others at hospitals and Nashville schools throughout the season.

Players visit with hospital patients receiving care ranging from minor ailments, to those receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer, recovering from heart surgery or women that have or are about to give birth.

For safety Michael Griffin, the team's 2007 first-round draft pick, participating in Titans Tuesdays is very fulfilling. "I love visiting the hospitals and meeting with the patients," said Griffin. "When I see the smiles on the faces of the patients, it lets me know instantly how much us being here means to them."

Patients eagerly greet the players with illuminated smiles, handshakes, hugs and genuine gratitude for their visit. Players take the time to speak to each patient individually, pose for a picture and sign autographs for each person and visiting family members before continuing on to the next hospital room.

As much as the visits are thrilling for the patients, the players equally enjoy visiting. For fourth-year cornerback Reynaldo Hill, who has been a staple in the Titan Tuesdays program, it's even more special for him.

"Since I got to Tennessee, I have been participating in Titan Tuesdays. The people of Nashville are so supportive of us on Sundays and that makes these visits that much warmer," said Hill. "I look forward to going every year."

In addition to the players, there are two other Titan team members that participate in the weekly visits. Each Tuesday, wives of Titans executives Kathy MacLachlan and Frances Underwood volunteer their time, smiles and assistance by accompanying the players on the visits. During the visits, MacLachlan and Underwood serve as liaisons between the players and patients, answering questions and assisting with autographs and pictures.

"We appreciate the long-standing relationship we have with the Titans and are grateful they take the time out of their busy schedules to spend a few minutes with our patients," said Bernie Sherry, president and CEO of Baptist Hospital. "They spread encouragement and lift the spirits of patients of all ages, from tiny newborns and their parents to those who are terminally ill and may be spending their last days with us."