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| The Titans hosted four area youth football teams during the preseason finale at LP Field. |
To honor that relationship, as done in years past as part of USA Play Football Month, the Titans had the recognizable USA Football stencils painted on LP Field playing surface for all of the players, coaches and fans to enjoy. The Titans also hosted four area youth football teams in the team's 2009 home-opening preseason game versus Tampa Bay on August 15. The Titans invited the Hendersonville Titans, Bellevue Steelers, Chattanooga East Hamilton Titans and the Chattanooga East Ridge Pioneers to the contest. They were the halftime entertainment, in which they played a game on each end of the field where each club was given four plays from the 10-yeard line to score: much to the delight of the 68,000 fans in attendance.
When asked about the growing relationship between the Titans and USA Football, CEO, YMCA of Dyer County Randy Butler stated, "As we grow the sport of football, the opportunities and resources that USA Football is providing our league has been great. This could not have happen without the support of the Titans organization and their owner, Mr. Bud Adams."
USA Football recently was named the "Official Youth Football Development Partner" of the NFL and the Titans have been working hand-in-hand to help satisfy needs for their players, staff and the youth football community.
"In the last year, we have been able to have players attend player academies, coaches have received certifications, attended coaches clinics, our administrators have taken part in the state forum and I had the great opportunity of attending the National Forum in Canton, OH," said Butler.
"Available are free mouth pieces from Delta Dental , equipment grant opportunities, we have NFL Flag Leagues, Punt-Pass-&Kick contest, and Deno Campbell our USA Football State Director is great with keeping us informed with all of the upcoming opportunities that enhances the game of football in Dyer County, West Tennessee," Butler went on to say.
Also a guest of the Titans was Ron Word of Nashville's Mid-State Youth Football league.
"I see this as a positive growing relationship. In fact, our particular organization will be adopting the USA Football coaching certification program this coming year," said Word.
"It has been overall a great experience that will better with the years to come."
As the years and seasons continue to come and go, the relationship between the Titans, USA Football and the NFL will continue to expand. With the drive and knowledge that will be fostered within the youth, their potential is limitless.
ABOUT USA FOOTBALL
USA Football is an independent non-profit based near Washington, D.C and is the national governing body of America's favorite sport on youth and amateur levels. USA Football awards more than $500,000 in equipment grants to youth leagues and high schools each year based on merit and need, along with additional resources.
The organization was endowed by grants from Titans Owner K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. and his fellow NFL owners and the NFL Players Association in 2002. The non-profit organization, which hosts over 100 training events annually, offers various programs such as education opportunities for coaches and game officials, as well as skill development for young players and resources for youth league administrators.
