Titans, Backfield in Motion visit Kirkpatrick Elementary

NASHVILLE, TN, May 7, 2008 —Titans quarterback Ingle Martin recently led a group of teammates for a day of reading at Nashville's Kirkpatrick Enhanced Option Elementary School. Joining Martin were fullbacks Casey Cramer and Jeremy Cain and wide receivers Biren Ealy and Paul Williams. 

Titans players joined Backfield in Motion for a day of reading at Kirkpatrick Enhanced Option School.

Also participating in the program were representatives from Nashville's Backfield in Motion, a local non-profit agency that has been a long-time community partner of the Titans. Backfield in Motion is a unique program that  combines academics and athletics to inspire inner-city boys to reach their maximum potential. Backfield provides year-round programs that include academic tutoring, personal mentoring, athletic training and sports leagues. In addition to these wonderful resources, Backfield eliminates any transportation issues by picking up all of the program's participants.
 
"I believe anytime a person has been put in a position of notoriety whether it be a politician, football player or whatever it is, there's a sense of responsibility that comes with that and part of that responsibility is giving back to the people that make playing the game so fun for us," said Martin. "These kids are a part of the group that might not necessarily get a chance to go to a lot of games and to be here and see the excitement that this kids have to see real life Titans, it's really fulfilling for myself and all of the guys."

Sprawled over the Kirkpatrick campus, each Titan player went to a different classroom and read books such as Teammates *by Tiki and Ronde Barber, *Willie Jerome and Under the Porch Light before answering questions and signing autographs for the students.

Fullback Jeremy Cain takes a picture with students after giving them Titans posters.

For fourth-grader Antondria Derrick, being able to meet Martin close-up and have him read to her, was a day she'll never forget. "I got to escort Mr. Martin around the school today and he was so nice. Today was a lot of fun and a day we will be talking about for a while."

"To have people that the children associate with success and heroism take the time out to reinforce the need to read  carries immeasurable credibility to the cause," said Steve McAdoo, Backfield in Motion Vice President of Operations. "We are grateful that the Titans players collaborate with Backfield in Motion to give back this life lesson to the children."

One representative from Backfield in Motion accompanied a Titan to each classroom and spoke to the children about what Backfield does, the benefits of joining Backfield and answered questions. With Backfield being close to only two miles away from Kirkpatrick, there were some familiar faces in the classroom as many of the students are already participants in the program.

Wide receiver Biren Ealy reads *Willie Jerome *to his group of students.

At the conclusion of the day, Kirkpatrick Principal Dr. Meriwether couldn't contain her gratitude for the Titans and Backfield in Motion for taking time out of their day to visit with her students. "It means a great deal to our students because 90 percent of them live in Casey Homes (the oldest and largest public housing project in Nashville) which is less than a mile from LP Field and the students are very familiar with all of the players and what takes place there," said Meriwether. "All of our students are so much in need of a social boost and from the Titans visiting today; they can see examples of positive role models and know that this too is possible for them."
 
Backfield in Motion was founded in 2000 by Joe C. Davis, who continues to be the major supporter the organization.  Davis and Martin have known each other for more than 10 years as Davis coached Martin at Nashville's Montgomery Bell Academy (MBA) where Martin earned statewide honors in both his junior and senior seasons.
 
The bond between the two remains very strong and they both have an affection for youth sports and a desire to assist those less fortunate.  That bond has led Martin to continue to support the organization founded on the principles instilled in him by Davis.

The Chief Executive Officer of Backfield in Motion is Boots Donnelly, a Nashville native who served as a collegiate football coach for 29 years with stints at Vanderbilt, Austin Peay and Middle Tennessee State, where he also served as Director of Athletics.

For more information on Backfield in Motion or to support their community initiatives including their annual golf tournament (July 11, 2008) and inaugural sporting clay shoot (August 15-16, 2008), please visit www.backfieldinmotion.org .