While you were protesting, the Titans became America’s team

While you were protesting, the Titans became America’s team

The Oilers and Titans longtime owner was named Bud Adams. During his tenure with the team, Adams was often involved with the military. This is an excerpt from the Titans website:

“Since moving with the franchise to Tennessee in 1997, Titans owner K.S. “Bud” Adams, Jr. has been a familiar face to the soldiers stationed at nearby Fort Campbell, home to the Army’s 101st Airborne Division, and the Night Stalker and Green Beret special operations forces.

Located less than an hour away from the Titans’ home field, Adams has established relationships with the base’s primary commands and frequently hosts Fort Campbell soldiers at Titans’ home games. More than 12,000 soldiers have attended games as guests of Adams at LP Field since it opened in 1999. The Titans frequently conduct all-day visits to Fort Campbell where Titans players, cheerleader, and staff can participate in autograph sessions and greet residents at the Blanchfield Army Community Hospital and the on-post schools. “

AROUND COVER32

The Latest: Browns’ rookie QB, DeShone Kizer, officially named week 1 starter

Around the NFL: Jets claim recently released Patriots’ DE, Kony Ealy

What’s Trending: What’s next for Patriots after WR, Julian Edelman’s season ending injury

NFL Transactions: Eagles trade S, Terrence Brooks, to Jets in exchange for CB, Dexter McDougle

Injury Report: Rams’ WR, Tavon Austin, looking ready for regular season opener

cover32 Podcasts: Check out our latest podcasts and view our entire library available on Apple iTunes

After Adams passed away, his daughter would ultimately become the controlling owner of the franchise. Amy Adams Strunk was the new face of the franchise in 2015.

Here is a quote Paul Kuharsky found about Adams back in 2015: “Amy Adams Strunk is the Annie Oakley of Texas: She can ride like the wind, and she’s fearless,” said Lt. Col. Dennis Foster. “

During Strunk’s first season as controlling owner, the Titans would have the worst record in football. There was not much to smile about during that season. Here is one moment:

That was the Titans feature running back, Antonio Andrews, with his father, Olan Andrews. The Titans honored the senior Andrews that day. The United States soldier thrust the Titans team sword into the ground as the fans and team cheered.

After that losing season, Strunk had some major decisions to make. She needed to hire someone that could oversee the Titans personnel decisions and hire a coaching staff.

Amidst the 2016 offseason, the Tennessee Titans hired a new General Manager named Jon Robinson. The Tennessee native was a former director of college scouting for the New England Patriots. From 2002 to 2009, he worked his way up from area scout to becoming one of Patriots head coach Bill Belichick’s confidants. After a stepping stone stop in Tampa Bay, the former Patriot landed back in Tennessee.

The Titans interim coach had been Mike Mularkey.

Here is a picture of Mularkey with the Jaguars:

Please take a moment to notice the cutline text under the picture. Mrs. Strunk and “her patriot” decided to hire, this man that honored the military, as their head coach.

Robinson and Mularkey would often discuss the types of players they were looking for: tough, disciplined, dedicated, hard-working, accountable, and with a team first mindset. Coincidentally, those are qualities that would describe our American soldiers.

During the 2016 season, some NFL players protested the national anthem. The protests became a common topic on all platforms of social media. This discussion was a distraction from the game. The Titans had no such issues, but other teams did.

This past offseason, the Titans players and the staff went to Fort Campbell. The players competed in a fitness test against the 1st Brigade Combat team. In April, the Titans honored the 101st Airborne. In May, the Titans Caravan stopped at Fort Campbell. In May, Jason Wolf wrote this:

“It’s pretty outstanding,” Robinson said at the start of the event. “This is a pretty special bond we’re trying to form with this group. What they do for our country, it’s very important. We formed a relationship with them here over the last year and just want it to continue to grow. To see the people come out, they’re lined up here to visit with us, it’s pretty awesome. There’s a lot of two-tone blue mixed with some camo, which is awesome.”

A few days ago, Coach Mularkey’s wife and 40 other women went to Fort Campbell.

Jim Wyatt wrote, “Betsy Mularkey was one of 41 women who took part in G.I. Jane Day in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The 101st Airborne extended an invitation to female staff members and spouses of players and male staff members to take part in the memorable day at the Army base.

The group spent roughly four hours at the base, where they went through multiple obstacle courses, practiced rappelling techniques and even rode in the Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.”

Before the week three game against the Chicago Bears, Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews was honored.

After an emotional moment, Matthews said, “I will forever salute you.”

In 2017, several other NFL teams continue to have players that protest our country’s national anthem.

The Titans and their new military background are widely considered favorites to win the AFC South this season. Some prognosticators even have the Titans going far into the playoffs. A few have the Titans winning the Super Bowl.

Fans all across America are suddenly rooting for the Tennessee Titans. The team that trained with the military quietly became the new America’s team.

How did the Titans turn their team around so fast? How did they do it? A picture is worth a thousand words…