NASHVILLE – L'Jarius Sneed walked the hallways at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park for the first time on Tuesday, and he was beaming with pride.
After agreeing to a whopping new contract with the Titans following the team's trade with the Chiefs, Sneed couldn't help but think of his good fortune.
And, about how far he'd come.
"It is a feeling that I can't explain," said Sneed, his six-year-old son and his mother by his side for the experience. "I've tried not to shed tears, but I was just thinking about how blessed I am. To be able to give my kids this experience, that I wish I had when I was little. I am glad God made me a vessel to show my kids."
Sneed arrives in Tennessee after experiencing big success with the Chiefs.
In Kansas City, he won two Super Bowl rings, and developed into one of the NFL's top young cornerbacks.
It's where he was first able to begin giving back to those around him after going through tough times growing up, when nothing came easy. Sneed managed to fight through it all, a childhood when both his parents were imprisoned, and times were hard as he tried to find his own way, his brothers leading the way then.
After being introduced as the newest Titan on Tuesday, Sneed reflected on his life's experiences, and how much he wanted to change things moving forward.
"I want things different," Sneed said. "I even sat down with my family, and I have meetings with my family, on how I want to be better at this. 'I want this, I want that. I don't want things done this way.' It is cycle breaking. I want to break the cycle for my family, for generation curses. And I thank God for letting me be that person to change their lives."
Sneed is doing that by the way he lives, with perseverance, and faith.
After playing football at Minden High School (Louisiana), Sneed didn't have offers from big schools as he looked to play at the next level.
"Louisiana Tech, Grambling, Southern, Alabama State, Nichols State," Sneed said, "and that was it."
Sneed picked Louisiana Tech, where he made the transition from receiver to defensive back.
"My first year of college, 2016, I could say it was hell," Sneed said with a chuckle. "We had two-a-days, it was my first time playing defense. It was a whole lot of new stuff. But I found my way."
After playing at Louisiana Tech, Sneed wasn't sure what would come next, but he had the NFL on his mind.
Sneed said he got a "late invite" to the NFL Combine, where he had a chance to put his talents on display.
The Chiefs ended up drafting him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and he earned All-Rookie honors from the Pro Football Writers Association of America his first NFL season.
In 57 games (54 starts) over four seasons (2020-23) with the City Chiefs, Sneed totaled 303 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 10 interceptions, 40 passes defensed, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries. He developed a reputation for being one of the league's rising defensive standouts.
When the Chiefs placed the franchise tag on him last month, the Titans targeted, and eventually traded, for him.
"I am definitely living proof that if you put the work in, it doesn't matter where you are from or what school you went to," Sneed said. "If you stay close to God, things will work out, with His will."
In addition to his accomplishments on the field, Sneed did some pretty cool things off it in Kansas City as well.
After his rookie season, he bought his mother, Jane, a four-bedroom house in Minden, Louisiana.
A year ago, he surprised her with a new car – a black Audi.
Since his second year in the NFL, Sneed has also raised more than $35,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
"Kids with needs, foster kids," he explained. "If they need prom dresses, other things. I wish I had that when I was little, someone to help me, because my mother and father weren't there when I was young.
"For me, it is such a blessing, being the baby boy of the family, to be able to take care of your family and put them in a better position, and to be able to help others who need it."
On the field, Sneed plans to pay off for the Titans with his aggressive style of play.
The 6-foot-1, 192-pounder is talented, and confident.
"Confidence, resiliency, relentless," Sneed said of what he brings to the Titans. "I am a hell of a player. I love my game. I don't fear anything. I am not afraid to lose, but I am going to win most of my reps."
Off the field, he plans to continue leading the way for his family.
In addition to his son, Kyson, Sneed also has a two-month-old daughter, Kaimira.
Young Kyson gave a thumbs up when asked about his dad's new team as he bounced through the Titans facility this week, after giving his dad some comic relief through the trade process.
"He tells me: Dad, why did (the Chiefs) get rid of you?," Sneed said with a laugh. "To be six years old, he knows what's going on. But he likes the (Titans') logo, the colors. He has a new team now, a new family."
So, too, does dad.
And he's ready to get started on his new chapter, in Tennessee.
"A new team, a new city to raise my kids," Sneed said. "I can't wait to see what Nashville brings me and my family."
