Tennessee Titans: Last night was for the fans
By P. L. Colter
Last night around 10:30pm, the Tennessee Titans did something that we haven’t seen in a long time…they finished a game in the victory formation.
DJ Khaled’s “All I do is win” could be heard bellowing out over the Cumberland River. Coaches and players smiled and shook hands with their colleagues, and rejuvenated fans exited the stadium feeling that their money was well spent.
Yes, it’s just the preseason. And no, the game doesn’t count. But last night was not about the standings…it was about the fans.
Few NFL fans have endured a rougher decade than Titans fans. Their team has not been to the playoffs since 2008, and has gotten progressively worse each year since.
Yet and still, the good people of Nashville would continue to show up and support…year after year.
2014 should have been the straw that broke the camel’s back, after having to endure a slow…painful…ten game losing streak to end the season. It was death by a thousand cuts.
But what did Titans fans do to open this season? Make rookie qb Marcus Mariota’s jersey the top seller immediately after being drafted.
Now that’s a football town. That’s loyalty.
Last night the Tennessee Titans, from top to bottom, went out of their way to thank the fans…and made sure they had a great outing.
They implemented new processes to ensure that the game experience (security checks, concessions) ran a lot smoother than last year.
They gave the fans an opportunity to give their beloved former head coach, Jeff Fisher, a proper goodbye with a moving tribute. Fisher waved to the crowd as they gave him a standing ovation. Let’s remember, most fans were irate at Fisher’s firing, a class act gesture by the front office.
And last but certainly not least, the team came out and punched the tough-nosed Rams in the mouth…on both sides of the ball. A nostalgic moment to see the Titans pound the ball on the ground, with the architect of that era of their franchise in attendance.
Later in the game, the FOX telecast panned to numerous fans dancing during a time out. They were enjoying themselves at the end of a Titans game….and for what they’ve endured…they deserved to.
All in all, a great night in Downtown Nashville. A step in the right direction. A great night to be a Titans fan.
With an introduction like that, one can only imagine the atmosphere awaiting the Colts in the Titans’ regular season home opener.
Next: Tennessee Titans: 6 Takeaways From Game Two