Eddie George challenges Tennessee Titans fans ahead of Week 2
On Thursday, former Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George challenged all fans to be present and loud when the Titans take on the Indianapolis Colts in their home opener on Sunday.
Eddie George spent eight illustrious seasons with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans organization as the heart and soul of the team. As a captain of an NFL team, you must not only lead by example, but you must be willing to challenge those around you to be better when necessary.
Eddie was a natural leader during his playing days. On Thursday, the former Titans running back showed that those leadership qualities have never left.
George gave a post-practice speech to the team in which he emphasized that they understand the importance of winning a signature game like the one they have on Sunday, especially against a team that has consistently owned them in the past.
George, who will have his jersey retired along with the late Steve McNair during halftime, stated that this could be a ‘’changing of the powers’’ type game in which the Titans let the rest of the AFC South know that they are now the team to beat.
George then went on to do something out of the ordinary. The former Heisman winner challenged everyone from fans, ministers, and everyone in between to do their part to help give this Titans team the support they rightfully deserve, per Jim Wyatt of Titans Online.
"“I’m praying that ministers this Sunday wrap up their services early, right around 10:30,” George he said with a smile. “We honor God. We love God. We can bring him to the Titans’ stadium, because I really want to see that stadium full right at kickoff. Loud. I’m challenging the fans to stand as much as possible during this game because we’re going to need everybody to overcome this hurdle. I think the fans are itching. They’re waiting to really, to really truly believe. They’ve been on the cusp. … So we have to get this signature win to have them be on fire like it was when we played. It was standing room only, it was loud, it was intimidating, and it has to be like that for these guys.”"
The former Ohio State star hit the nail on the head on every single thing that he said. The Adelphia Coliseum used to be one of the most intimidating places to play in the early 2000’s.
Teams often had a better chance of getting their flight delayed than they did coming to Nashville and winning during those days. The team consistently sold out every home game and had a legitimate home-field advantage anytime it stepped on that field.
Nissan stadium/LP field has been anything but that for the majority of this decade. A typical “home-field advantage” for the Titans over the last five seasons usually consists of tons of empty seats. When the stadium was full, it was often the other team’s fans that traveled to help fill it. It’s time for the Titans fans to change that.
This Titans team deserves that raucous atmosphere that once made Tennessee a terrifying place for opponents to come play, and even the great Eddie George recognizes that. This team is on the cusp of being special. They finished in the top-10 in practically every major defensive category last season and seemed even more formidable in their Week 1 annihilation of the Cleveland Browns.
The offense has the most talent across the board that they’ve arguably ever had. The coaching staff is as competent as any staff in the league. Now, its time for the fans to do our part as we take our spot back as one of the most hostile environments in the NFL.
Last Sunday, The Titans let it be known to the rest of the NFL that they’re back. This Sunday, it’s time for Nissan stadium and the fans who fill it with two-tone blue to do the same.