NASHVILLE – Keith Bulluck has always felt the love.
On Saturday night, in the city that's become home for him, the former Titans linebacker will be celebrated as a 2023 inductee into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
"It's a pretty cool, great honor," Bulluck said on Saturday from the Omni Hotel in downtown Nashville. "Now that I've had time to digest it all, it is a culmination of my career – the hard work and dedication I put in, the challenges that I accepted. Some goals were accomplished – obviously the goal of winning a championship was not accomplished, but … this for myself, it is great. But it also goes to the teammates and coaches I had throughout the years that pushed me and challenged me and for me, stepping up to those challenges."
A first-round draft pick of the Titans in the 2000 NFL Draft, Bulluck played 10 seasons for the Titans, before signing with the Giants for his final season. In his NFL career, Bulluck was known for his durability – he started 127 consecutive games at one point in his career – and for his play-making ability, as he finished his career with 1,029 tackles, 18 sacks and 21 interceptions.
Bulluck was named to three Pro Bowls and to three All-Pro teams in his career before officially retiring in 2012.
In Nashville, he's hardly been forgotten.
Fans still recognize him in Music City.
"Mr. Monday Night! Keith Bulluck!," Bulluck said with a smile when asked what Titans fans say when they see him around town. "Nashville is cool like that. I definitely get shout-outs pretty frequently.
"I've always been embedded in the community – I am not hard to find if you are looking for me. I'm a Nashvillian."
Bulluck, tabbed "Mr. Monday Night" following one of his many memorable prime-time performances during his playing career, got the news he was being inducted earlier this year when he was surprised at a Titans ticket holder event at Nissan Stadium featuring Tennessee Sports Hall of Famer Mike Keith and new Titans General Manager Ran Carthon.
"Keith Bulluck was the heart and soul of the Tennessee Titans defense for many years. His leadership on and off the field was instrumental in the Titans success of the early 2000's," said Brad Willis, Executive Director of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. "Keith has made his home in Tennessee for over 20 years, and we're excited to have him as part of our 2023 Hall of Fame Class."
Bulluck's family and friends are scheduled to be on hand for tonight's event.
Looking back at his career, he's proud.
"The first stage when I got here as a rookie, with Steve (McNair) and Eddie (George), that kind of molded and shaped my career, my mentality," Bulluck said. "And then when it was my turn to lead with the Chris Johnsons and the Vince Youngs and the LenDale Whites, I was prepared because of those guys.
"… I loved the challenges that came with playing in the NFL because I definitely believed that I was the best player on the field when I was out there, whether I was or not, that was my mentality. And that's what I went into every game with. So I always had the utmost confidence that I was prepared and was going to go out there and handle my business."
