Saint Thomas Health Spotlight: Heads Up Tackling

Over the holiday season, Jefferey Simmons spent more time giving back to his community. He took six local high school seniors to Men's Warehouse, where they were fitted for new suits. Simmons helped and supported these young men as they shopped, spending time with them as a friend and mentor.

During a recent home game against the Bengals, the Titans announced Tennessee's High School Football Coach of the Year: Kyle Shoulders from Macon County High School. The Titans organization is a proud supporter of school athletics throughout Tennessee, helping coaches as they motivate and mentor their teams.

Tyjae Spears teamed up with other Titans players and staff members for an afternoon at the Second Harvest Food Bank. Together, they put their heads down to load, label, and stack hundreds of boxes full of groceries for families in the community. This is just one of the many local initiatives that the Tennessee Titans have been part of this holiday season in an effort to lend a hand to those in need.

The Tennessee Titans staff came together for their own version of the NFL initiative "My Cause, My Cleats." During the "My Cause My Sneaks" event, staff members created custom-drawn designs on a pair of Air Force 1's to support a local cause, nonprofit, or organization that's impacted them in some way. Each sneaker represents the personal hurdles and hardships these people have gone through and their hopes for a brighter tomorrow. The Titans Foundation is making a donation in the name of each participating staff member to the cause of their choice.

Jelly Roll took some of the Tennessee Titans to a place close to his heart (and the Nissan Stadium)—the Juvenile Justice Center, where he was incarcerated in his youth and now mentors kids to "help get them back on track." Together, coaches, players, and management spent time with with teen residents, bringing joy into their darker days. The group got a glimpse into daily life at the facility, shared stories over lunch, and gave these teens encouragement and hope for a second chance.

Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons is the team's nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year for the second year in a row.

Considered one of the league's most prestigious honors, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field.

The Titans worked with The Bridge in Edgehill for a Thanksgiving service project. Titans players joined to serve hot meals, Thanksgiving groceries, and provide much-needed supplies for people in the Edgehill community.

Jeffery Simmons and his Give Em A Reason foundation teamed up with Backfield In Motion and Hattie B's to spread Thanksgiving cheer to middle and high schoolers in the Nashville community with the help of some of his Titans teammates.

In partnership with Nashville Tree Foundation, Titans staff and community members planted 82 trees around Nashville for ReLeafing Day.

In honor of Salute to Service month, the Titans traveled to USO Fort Campbell for a Warrior Wednesday on the Army base. Titans alumni Dexter McCluster and Marc Mariani joined to interact and hand out Titans swag, while Little Caesars provided lunch to the soldiers.

The Titans partnered with American Red Cross for a blood drive to help replenish the region's blood supply following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. A total of 53 pints of blood were collected and 159 potential lives were saved.

The Titans partnered with Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) to honor two fallen soldiers. During our Salute to Service game, the families of the honored service members were recognized, and Titans players wore special helmet decals to pay tribute to the American heroes.

As part of the NFL's Salute to Service Month, the Titans hosted the Tito's Military Bowl on November 12th, 2024. The Titans welcomed over a hundred soldiers from Fort Campbell to compete in a flag football tournament for the championship trophy. The event was held at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park in the Titans indoor practice facility.

Titans players, staff, and family members visited Youth Villages to kick off their annual Holiday Heroes campaign. Volunteers helped unload, assemble, and organize gifts, as well as decorate with lights and décor to bring holiday joy to every child and young adult in the program.

To kick off Salute to Service month, the Titans teamed up with Hands On Nashville for a Titans Together presented by Gallagher project at Hillenglade Farms. Volunteers participated in various maintenance and construction projects around the farm, so veterans and first responders can relax and enjoy.

Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons visited Nashville Rescue Mission to interact and help serve lunch to over 200 men.

Titans defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat teamed up with kids from Backfield in Motion to help design his custom cleats for the My Cause My Cleats game.

Titans defensive lineman Isaiah Iton visited Mr. Deans' kindergarten class at Park Avenue Elementary School for fun activities and to practice dance moves with the students.

Titans players, T-Rac, and Titans cheerleaders visited the Nashville Ronald McDonald House to serve Whataburger lunch and for some fun Halloween themed arts and crafts with the kids and their families.

In honor of crucial catch month, Titans staff spent the morning packaging 200 National Breast Cancer Foundation HOPE Kits, delivering encouragement and support to patients undergoing breast cancer treatment.

Titans linebacker Arden Key visited Ms. Majors Douglas's 3^rd grade class at Ida B. Wells Elementary for an exciting morning of activities and a game of "Arden says".

Titans players and cheerleaders visited Centennial High School for an EVERFI Character Playbook event, where they discussed the importance of mental wellness and shared their own personal journeys with the student-athletes.

Titans staff teamed up with the Nashville Predators, Nashville Sounds, and Nashville Soccer Club for a food packaging event at Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. Altogether, volunteers sorted and packaged food for over 8,000 people in the Nashville community.

Titans linebacker Luke Gifford and defensive lineman Isaiah Iton joined Ms. Reser's 2^nd grade class at Nannie Berry Elementary for Take A Titan To School. They participated in a science experiment and even showed off some of their dance moves with the students

The Titans visited the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Nashville, Tennessee. Titans players and mascot T-Rac joined to interact and serve Hattie B's lunch to the patients and their caregivers.