NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Wesley Woodyard is entering his 10th season in the NFL, and he's now been selected as a captain 10 years in a row.
It's quite an honor for the Titans linebacker, one of the team's six captains for the 2017 season.
"I am extremely blessed to be given this opportunity and platform to be able to I help lead my teammates and earn their trust," Woodyard said. "It is a huge honor – 10 years in and I've been a captain all 10 years. I just want to motivate my teammates and help guys coming into the league."
In addition to Woodyard, in his fourth season with the Titans after spending six seasons with the Broncos, quarterback Marcus Mariota, tight end Delanie Walker, linebacker Brian Orakpo and defensive lineman Jurrell Casey were all selected captains by teammates, along with "Titan for Life" Tim Shaw.
"It is definitely an honor, and a blessing," said Casey, a captain for the fourth year in a row. "I thank the team and the players around here for continuing to trust in me. I am a person where they get tired of hearing my mouth here and there, but I will say something if I think something is not being done right and I expect guys to say the same to me. We are all here to help each other."
Walker, selected a captain for the third straight year, said he takes the role seriously.
"It just shows the team looks at me as a leader and someone they can count on and represent the team well," Walker said. "It is a privilege and an honor to be a captain for this team and everyone in this room."
Mariota was named a captain late in the 2015 season, but he suffered a knee injury and missed several games. He was named a captain for 2016 as well. Orakpo was a captain in 2015 and 2016.
Shaw, a former Titan who is battling ALS, has been a regular at Saint Thomas Sports Park, and he's also made road trips with the team. In training camp, he delivered a motivation speech to the team.
"It is real special for Tim to be with us," Woodyard said. "Nobody knows how many days you have on this earth, and him battling ALS, it shows the courage he has to keep going on. It is amazing to have him around and we cherish him."
Here's an initial look at your 2017 Tennessee Titans!
8 QB Marcus Mariota
53 LB Daren Bates
48 LS Beau Brinkley
55 LB Jayon Brown
31 S Kevin Byard
44 LB Josh Carraway
99 DT Jurrell Casey
16 QB Matt Cassel
78 T Jack Conklin
37 S Johnathan Cyprien
84 WR Corey Davis
87 WR Eric Decker
93 LB Kevin Dodd
32 RB David Fluellen
45 FB Jalston Fowler
22 RB Derrick Henry
25 CB Adoree' Jackson
94 DL Austin Johnson
60 C Ben Jones
90 DL DaQuan Jones
71 G/T Dennis Kelly
6 P Brett Kern
DL David King
64 Josh Kline
97 DL Karl Klug
68 G/C Tim Lelito
62 G/T Corey Levin
77 T Taylor Lewan
8 QB Marcus Mariota
18 Rishard Matthews
23 CB Brice McCain
91 LB Derrick Morgan
29 RB DeMarco Murray
98 LB Brian Orakpo
50 LB Nate Palmer
24 CB Kalan Reed
35 DB Curtis Riley
26 CB Logan Ryan
G/C Brian Schwenke
21 S Da'Norris Searcy
36 CB LeShaun Sims
81 TE Jonnu Smith
33 CB Tye Smith
67 G Quinton Spain
4 K Ryan Succop
89 TE Phillip Supernaw
13 WR Taywan Taylor
41 S Brynden Trawick
58 LB Erik Walden
82 TE Delanie Walker
52 LB Aaron Wallace
14 WR/KR Eric Weems
54 LB Avery Williamson
96 NT Sylvester Williams
