NASHVILLE – Ryan Stonehouse has yet another reason to be motivated for the 2024 season.
The Titans punter has teamed up with former Titans linebacker Tim Shaw to raise money for TShaw Strong and Team Gleason while also raising awareness for ALS.
"Being here the last three years, I've gotten to know Tim's story and what he means to the Titans and what he is about, and it is inspiring," Stonehouse said. "So, when Tim and I got together on this, it was definitely a no-brainer to go forward and do something with that. I know Tim is going to help out Team Gleason."
Stonehouse plans to donate $500 to TShaw Strong for each punt he puts inside the opponent's 20-yard line during the 2024 NFL season. Shaw plans to match Stonehouse's donation, but to Team Gleason, as part of his Punt for ALS campaign.
Shaw, who played from 2010-12 with the Titans, was diagnosed with ALS in 2014, not long after his six-year playing career ended. Gleason, a former NFL safety with the Saints, was diagnosed with ALS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in 2011. He was honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the ESPYs last month.
"It's so big time of Ryan to do this," Shaw said. "The generosity and personal sacrifice is huge, but even more than that, to use his platform for a purpose bigger than himself says so much about his character. I'm very proud to be doing this with him.
"More than anything, this is an opportunity to raise funds and bring awareness to ALS through TShaw Strong and Team Gleason. The more people we can connect with allows us to help more people. That's what it's all about."
Stonehouse and Shaw would love for fans to get involved as well.
Fans can donate and get involved here:
https://teamgleason.app.neoncrm.com/forms/punt-for-als
Here's info for TShaw Strong:
https://www.tshawstrong.com/
Here's a link for more information about Team Gleason and about Punt for ALS:
https://teamgleason.org/team-gleason-events/
Last month, Jets punter Thomas Morstead announced he was also donating money to Team Gleason as part of the Punt for ALS campaign.
Stonehouse, who is returning to action this weekend after a long rehab and recovery from a season-ending knee injury last December, placed 28 punts inside the 20 last season after putting 30 down inside the 20 in 2022.
"We want to try and generate as much awareness and support this year for (ALS), Tim and Team Gleason," Stonehouse said. "I think it's a great initiative.
"Tim is resilient. He is always around the building, and he is always helping guys out. He is super-selfless for that. To be here almost every day, coaching our guys up and giving write-ups for players. I think that is such a selfless thing to do. He means so much to this organization and so much to the specialists, and the special teams room. It is huge having him a part of this.
"This will be a great thing for both of us to chase this year, having a high (number of punts) inside the 20 and it also going to a good cause."
