NASHVILLE – As a young boy, Darrell Baker Jr. found out what it was like to grow up in a military family.
Both of his parents served in the U.S. Army.
There was discipline, and the example of hard work set for him to follow.
Baker found out what it meant to sacrifice, even if he didn't truly understand it until he got older.
It will be a proud moment for Baker, a cornerback with the Titans, when his parents are recognized as the Honorary 12th Titans for Sunday's game against the Vikings at Nissan Stadium.
It will be part of the team's Veterans Day celebration during Salute to Service month across the NFL.
Darrell Baker Sr. and Johnetta Dixon, retired U.S. Army veterans, served stints in Baghdad, Iraq, and Kuwait, among other locations oversees. Darrell Baker Jr. was born on March 27, 1998, in Panama City, Panama, when his parents were stationed there.
Baker's parents moved to Georgia when he was young, and he was surrounded by six siblings as his parents were stationed in Fort Benning and Fort Gordon. There were times when his parents had to leave for months at a time, his father a contractor in the Army, his mom a cook.
"I remember when we'd get a surprise, and go to the airport to pick them up," Baker said with a smile. "That day was like heaven on earth."
It wasn't always easy, Baker Jr. said.
"We weren't the most wealthy family in the neighborhood," Baker said. "But my parents made sacrifices, and they did what they could to make sure all of us were fed, and taken care of."
And, there was discipline.
"It wasn't like crazy strict, but there was discipline in the household, doing chores all the time, having to clean," Baker said. "Little still you don't notice when you are younger, making up your bed, ironing your clothes, little stuff that matters today as an adult.
"When you get around new people, especially as you enter college, you realize not everybody was raised like you were. You see those differences it can make."
There are also some things Baker doesn't know about the emotional toll of being in war.
"As I got older, just seeing their reaction when asked about it," he said, "I didn't really want to talk about it with them."
Baker said he once considered going into the Marines, but he fell in love with sports, and football, instead.
Playing in the NFL became his dream.
Over the years, the toughness and perseverance he learned from his parents helped push him as he found his way.
Baker had zero scholarship offers for football out of high school at Hephzibah (Georgia).
After playing in college at Georgia Southern, he was not invited to the NFL combine
Baker signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft, but he was waived by the team three months later. That's when he was signed by the Indianapolis Colts, where he earned a starting job with the team in 2023 after paying his dues on the practice squad most of the 2022 season.
When Baker was released by the Colts back in August, the Titans signed him. Baker has stepped in and played well for the Titans this year, playing in eight games, with three starts.
On Sunday, Baker and his parents, who live in Augusta, Georgia, will all be on the NFL field together, when his mother and father will be recognized for their service to the county, and their commitment.
Teams across the NFL are celebrating Salute to Service throughout November, a dedicated time to recognize and pay tribute to the courageous men and women who have served or are currently serving our country. Salute to Service is the NFL's year-round initiative that focuses on honoring, empowering and connecting with service members, veterans and their families.
"Salute to Service is just a lot of respect shown to them, to the military," Baker Jr. said. "They go oversees, across the world, to fight to make sure everybody here in America is safe. You see the wars in Iran and things that take place in Palestine. … Those that serve our country go over there and risk their lives, and we get protected in turn.
"I'm very blessed to have my parents, very proud of them. And, very blessed to still have them, because there are so many people who don't make it out of those wars, and they are two people God put His hand over and I'm very thankful for that."
