NASHVILLE, TN, Dec. 11, 2008 —For Titans this holiday season, the mantra is truly all about giving. In addition to giving fans something to cheer about on Sundays with the team's best start in franchise history, Titans players are also doing their part to assist those less fortunate to help give them a happy holiday season.
Titans 2008 Community Man of the Year David Thornton has long been a proponent of assisting those less fortunate during the holidays with his "Cold Feet, Warm Shoes" event that has taken place every season counting back to his playing days with the Colts. But after visiting Nashville's Park Ave. Elementary school earlier this year, Thornton came up with another idea. !
Thornton rewarded the 15 essay winners from Park Ave. Elementary with $200 each for a shopping spree at a local sporting goods store.
"While visiting Park Ave., I came to realize that while these are some great kids, their families had real financial struggles and they were really lacking in their literature development. So I decided to tackle both with an essay contest and a Christmas shopping spree."
| ! Thornton was joined by teammates (from L-R) Colin Allred, Ken Amato, Josh Stamer and Stanford Keglar. |
"These are some really good kids that really try hard to do the right thing and I wanted to reward them for that. For some of these kids, this is their Christmas so making it extra special was a priority," said Thornton. "The excitement of seeing these kids get something new was really a treat and the spreading of the cheer is what the holidays are all about."
Thornton was joined by teammates Colin Allred Ken Amato, and Stanford Keglar who all spent nearly three hours helping the children pick out clothes, shoes and toys. Thornton also made a point to reward the rest of Park Ave. Elementary (of which had 100 percent participation in the essay contest) by holding an ice cream party for the entire school.
| ! Titans pose with a Baptist Hospital nurse (from L-R) Vince Young, David Stewart, Bo Scaife, Jake Scott, Michael Roos and Eugene Amano. |
For Ralph Korman, a former sports writer with the Tennessean in the 1950s, the Titans visit was a "real bright spot" for an avid sports fan that is at Baptist after suffering two strokes and breaking his hip last month.
"I really enjoy getting out in the community, especially this time of year," said tackle Michael Roos who is an avid participant in the Nashville community. Not only is it important to me, but it's important to our organization which is one of the special things about being a Titan."
| ! Aside from becoming one of the team's most popular players, LB Stephen Tulloch has also become a staple in the community. |
For Tulloch, his visit to H.G. Hill was especially rewarding. "I used to be that kid that they are now. I know what it means to them and how it feels to have people come speak and spend time with you," said Tulloch. "If they take anything from my visit it's that hopefully, when they are older, they will continue the tradition of giving back.
"For me and my teammates, that's what it's all about."
