NASHVILLE – The Titans held a Kickoff Luncheon on Wednesday at Nissan Stadium, where fans were provided a "Chalk Talk" look at this year's team.
More importantly, the team raised money for the Titans Foundation, and those funds will be used to help those who need it in the Middle Tennessee community.
Over $150,000 was raised during the event, which featured presentations from Titans leadership and coaching staff, including team president and CEO Burke Nihill, general manager Jon Robinson, head coach Mike Vrabel and others. Members of the team's ownership group were also on hand.
Burke said Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk has been a driving force in the organization's efforts to give back to the community through the Titans Foundation.
The team's mission, Burke noted, is to Win, Serve, and Entertain.
"It is something that will get the fans excited," Nihill said of the luncheon, attended by roughly 350 Titans fans. "But just as importantly, it is something that gives us an opportunity to amplify what we do in the community. This is about raising funds for the Titans Foundation, and the Titans Foundation is a big part of who we are. First and foremost, we are a football team, but we also want to be good leaders and stewards in our community. This weekend is a reminder of the fact that this community always has needs, and the Foundation is going to be there to deliver on those needs."
Today's luncheon was hosted by Titans play-by-play man Mike Keith, along with Amie Wells, and Dave "Coach Mac" McGinnis of Titans Radio.
Titans safety and 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee Kevin Byard also made an appearance via video conference call.
All tables for the event were sold, and there was a silent auction to benefit the Titans Foundation.
The Titans Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports communities within the Tennessee Titans region. Through its work, the Titans contribute to schools, non-profit organizations, community centers and other neighborhood assets.
At the event, Nihill shared the team's plans to help those impacted by the devastating flooding in Waverly and Humphries County. The team plans to make a $50,000 donation to those impacted by the floods, and it also plans to help in other ways as well. Nihill revealed the organization's plans to offer the Waverly High football team a chance to play at least one home game at Nissan Stadium. More details will be revealed in the coming days, Burke said.
Last year, the Titans helped with tornado relief in Nashville, and earlier this year the team volunteered with flood relief in the city.
"It's really been unbelievable how often this community has had to dust itself off," Nihill said. "As community leaders, we just feel like it is an absolute obligation on our part to be there when our community needs us.
"We are going to find ways to serve. We almost always will write a check to help out with monetary needs, but it is also important for us to find tangible ways to get out and get our fingernails dirty and serve in the community, because those are our neighbors, and we want to show leadership and hopefully inspire others in the community to get out and do the same, to serve when there is a need."
