NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Titans players and cheerleaders used their free time this week to bring joy to others for Thanksgiving.
Titans receiver Nate Washington donated and distributed 125 turkeys on Tuesday to families at the Northwest YMCA as part of the work that his 85th Foundation does. Washington and teammates Justin Hunter, Kendall Wright, Kenny Britt, Damian Williams, Michael Preston, Byron Stingily and Michael Griffin distributed the turkeys, signed autographs and posed for pictures.
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| Titans teammates joined Nate Washington for a Thanksgiving turkey donation and distribution event. Click here for the slideshow. |
"This means a lot not only to me but my teammates as well. I think sometimes it's unappreciated what this community does for us," Washington said. "We understand that they make us. As wonderful as they've been to us, it pushes us harder. People have warm hearts and want to see us succeed, so when you see them come out and get their turkeys, they're not excited about the holidays, they're excited about the season and where we're going now. To see the warm faces in the community, we just want to let them know as they're behind us, we're behind them, too."
Washington's 85th Foundation has done a significant amount of work in his hometown of Toledo, Ohio, including a giveaway of 225 turkeys Monday and has an upcoming distribution of winter clothing in Nashville. Washington said he is grateful to be able to show appreciation to his hometown and his adopted home.
"It's important to do both because that's where I was raised, but at the same time, this is where I live so I wanted to show back home that everything they taught me and all the things they instilled in me are still in me: the good, the respect, the discipline and determination," Washington said. "I wanted to give my hometown some thank you, but it's also about showing this community that I wouldn't be nothing without them and the support they give me all the time and things they do and love they show me in public, I wouldn't trade it for the world so I wanted to show those who are less fortunate that we do care about them also."
Also on Tuesday, Rob Bironas, Andy Levitre and Beau Brinkley joined Titans cheerleaders at Tracy Lawrence's 8th annual Mission Possible Turkey Fry.
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| Titans cheerleaders and kicker Rob Bironas join musicians Chad Warrix and Tracy Lawrence at the 8th annual Mission Possible Turkey Fry. Click here for a slideshow from the event. |
The country star, his bandmates and friends in the music industry joined other volunteers to cook 500 turkeys in the parking lot of the Nashville Rescue Mission. Four hundred of the turkeys cooked were slated to provide meals for the men's and the women and children's missions, and the other 100 were delivered with sides by Lawrence to homes in Wilson County.
"It's turned into this wonderful event with so many wonderful volunteers and great sponsors like Sam's Wholesale Club and Blue Rhino that brings all the propane," Lawrence said. "We have guys from the National Guard that come every year and so many friends of mine, my band and crew, we enjoy the fellowship just as much as preparing all the food."
The event has grown from when Lawrence would deep fry turkeys for church friends, and Lawrence said he is glad Titans players and cheerleaders are part of the tradition.
"I love having the Titans players and cheerleaders out," Lawrence said. "They bring such an excitement factor to the whole event and just love having the support cross between fields. It's great to have those friends and relationships. Bironas is a piece of work. I love spending time with him. He's one of a kind. He's an expert at something but I'm not sure exactly what it is."
The cheerleaders went back to the Rescue Mission Wednesday to serve lunch and brighten spirits of the mission's guests in a day of service that's become an annual tradition.
