NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Titans quarterbacks Marcus Mariota and Alex Taney joined defensive linemen Angelo Blackson, DaQuan Jones, Karl Klug and Al Woods visiting new parents that recently welcomed babies to their families on the orthopaedics floor at Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital.

"It's a good opportunity for us to come out in the community and get away from football," Mariota said.  "It's a moment in time that makes us realize how important family is.  It's the least we can do to reach out and bring joy and happiness to others during the season and have a little fun."

The Titans filled the hallways with sounds of Christmas carols and jingle bells while a couple of Santa Clauses played Christmas songs as they walked from room to room putting smiles on the patients' faces.   

"Our patients and staff get so excited for Titans Tuesday when the players take time out of their busy schedules to make a visit," said Don King, President & CEO of Saint Thomas Midtown and West Hospitals.  "It's always nice to see the Titans players off the field, watching them interact with our newborns and joint replacement patients to spread some Christmas cheer.  Saint Thomas Health is proud to have this great relationship with the Titans."

"Today was great to give back today and seeing the babies was awesome," said Klug. "I have two children and one on the way.  I know these new parents won't get much sleep, they are changing diapers non-stop, and that is kind of overwhelming. "

The morning was a time to spread hope and joy and reminded everyone that the true meaning of Christmas is love, giving, family and friends. 

ABOUT SAINT THOMAS HEALTH

Saint Thomas Health is Middle Tennessee's faith-based, not-for-profit health care system united as one healing community. Saint Thomas Health is focused on transforming the healthcare experience and helping people live healthier lives, with special attention to the poor and vulnerable. The regional health system includes nine hospitals: Saint Thomas Hospital for Spinal Surgery, Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital and Saint Thomas West Hospital in Nashville, Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro, Saint Thomas Hickman Hospital in Centerville, Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital in Smithville, Saint Thomas Highlands Hospital in Sparta, Saint Thomas River Park Hospital in McMinnville and Saint Thomas Stones River Hospital in Woodbury. A comprehensive network of affiliated joint ventures, medical practices, clinics and rehabilitation facilities complements the hospital services and covers a 68-county area. Saint Thomas Health is a member of Ascension, a Catholic organization that is the largest not-for-profit health system in the United States. For more information, visit www.STHealth.com.

ABOUT ASCENSION

Ascension (www.ascension.org) is a faith-based healthcare organization dedicated to transformation through innovation across the continuum of care. As the largest non-profit health system in the U.S. and the world's largest Catholic health system, Ascension is committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. In FY2016, Ascension provided more than $1.8 billion in care of persons living in poverty and other community benefit programs. Ascension includes approximately 150,000 associates and 36,000 aligned providers. Ascension's Healthcare Division operates 2,500 sites of care – including 141 hospitals and more than 30 senior living facilities – in 24 states and the District of Columbia, while its Solutions Division provides a variety of services and solutions including physician practice management, venture capital investing, investment management, biomedical engineering, facilities management, clinical care management, information services, risk management, and contracting through Ascension's own group purchasing organization.