NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Titans rookie class visited two Nashville high schools this month – Lipscomb Academy and McGavock High School – hosting a panel discussion and Q&A session with each school's football team.
Not too far removed from high school themselves, the rookies relate to issues high school student-athletes face as they transition to college and beyond.
During both visits, Titans rookies answered questions from a panel moderator before taking questions directly from student-athletes.
Quarterback Marcus Mariota recapped his draft experience during both visits – what it felt like to get the phone call from the Titans and why he stayed in Hawaii with this family as opposed to making the trip to Chicago.
Wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham spoke to the importance of finding a mentor you can trust. For Green-Beckham, this role is filled by his father, who was also his high school football coach.
Other topics included balancing time between football and family, the biggest differences between playing at the collegiate and professional level, the importance of education, tips for studying game film, healthy eating habits and what it takes to succeed at the highest level.
These two speaking engagements fall under Player Engagement's new leadership development program, specifically designed for rookies. The goal of this portion of the program is to introduce new players to the impact they are able to make through their roles as professional athletes, and the importance of setting a positive example for people in their community.
The Titans' 2015 rookie class recently visited two Nashville high schools, hosting a panel discussion and Q&A session with each school's football team. (Photos: Susanna Nickell)
