NASHVILLE, Tenn. – When the Titans trimmed their roster to 53 players at the beginning of September, receiver Tre McBride thought he'd make the team.
Then came the bad news – the Titans were keeping only four receivers, and he wasn't one of them. The plan was to put McBride on the practice squad instead.
"That was a tough day for me, a tough couple of days for me to be honest,'' McBride admits. "It was a challenge. I'd never not made a team before, so I am not used to dealing with stuff like that, when it comes to football at least.
"I talked to my loved ones, people close to me, and got some words of comfort. Then I put my head down and started working toward my main goal, which was to be on the 53-man roster."
Fast forward to this week, but don't skip over the work McBride put in before then. The Titans promoted McBride to the 53-man roster on Tuesday after he spent the first 10 weeks of the season on the practice squad.
It was a reward for the seventh round pick from William & Mary, who has worked against the first team defense in practices since the start of the season.
"I'm ready to go. This the moment I've been waiting for, and it finally came,'' McBride said. "I am going to do everything I can keep this spot on the team"
McBride (6-0, 210) was a three-year starter at William & Mary, where he finished his career ranked second on the school's all-time reception list (196), fifth in receiving yards (2,653) and fifth in all-purpose yards (4,281). He earned first team all-conference honors in his final two seasons.
Following a season-ending injury to receiver Justin Hunter, the Titans promoted McBride, and they also signed receiver Andrew Turzilli off of San Francisco's practice squad.
When the Titans face the Jaguars on Thursday night, McBride said he'll be ready to help any way he can. Interim coach Mike Mularkey said the team is also considering using him as a kick returner.
McBride said he's grown as a receiver over the last few months, and is more determined than ever.
"It just goes to show all my hard work wasn't in vain,'' McBride said. "I got my opportunity, and anything that happens after this is on me. I have to give them a reason to keep me on the team and that is what I am going to do. When I get my opportunity I'm going to make the most of it."
Titans Online looks at the collegiate career of William & Mary WR Tre McBride. (AP Photos)
