Community Impact Stories from the Tennessee Titans Initiatives

Behind every community initiative from the Tennessee Titans lies a story—of a student who found confidence through reading, a family that avoided hunger during the holidays, or a kid who discovered a love for football despite financial hardship. These stories aren’t just feel-good moments; they’re proof of how the Titans’ investments in education, food security, youth sports, and mental health are creating lasting change across Tennessee. Community Impact Stories from the Tennessee Titans Initiatives spotlights these real people and real outcomes, showing how the team’s commitment to off-field work is just as vital as its on-field performance.

Community Impact Stories from the Tennessee Titans Initiatives begins with Maria’s journey from struggling reader to school librarian—a path shaped by the Titans’ Reading Challenge. When Maria Gonzalez entered third grade at Nashville’s Glencliff Elementary, she was two grade levels behind in reading and avoided class participation for fear of making mistakes. That changed in 2021, when her teacher enrolled the class in the Titans Reading Challenge. Maria was drawn to the program’s rewards (a chance to meet Titans players) and started reading 30 minutes every night, using the Titans-themed books provided by the initiative. By the end of the semester, she’d completed 25 books—exceeding the challenge’s goal—and her reading level jumped to grade level. “I used to hate reading because I thought I was bad at it,” Maria said. “But the Titans books made it fun, and when I met [Titans wide receiver] DeAndre Hopkins at the celebration, he told me I could be anything I wanted. That’s when I decided I wanted to help other kids love reading too.” Now a senior in high school, Maria volunteers as a tutor at her old elementary school and plans to study library science in college. Her former teacher, Ms. Lopez, credits the Titans’ program with changing Maria’s trajectory: “The Reading Challenge didn’t just improve her skills—it gave her confidence. That’s the kind of impact you can’t measure with test scores.”

A story that highlights the Titans’ commitment to food security is the Carter family’s Thanksgiving turnaround—made possible by the team’s annual Turkey Drive. In 2023, David Carter lost his job at a Nashville factory, leaving him unable to afford a Thanksgiving meal for his wife and three kids. “I felt like a failure,” David said. “My kids had been talking about turkey and pie for weeks, and I didn’t know how to tell them we couldn’t have it.” That changed when a neighbor told him about the Titans’ Turkey Drive at Nissan Stadium. David arrived early on the day of the event, expecting a small frozen turkey—but he left with a full meal kit: a 12-pound turkey, stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, green beans, and a pie, plus a $50 gift card for groceries. What surprised him most, though, was the interaction with Titans players. “[Titans running back] Derrick Henry handed me the meal kit and asked how my kids were doing,” David recalled. “He didn’t just give me food—he talked to me like a person. That meant more than anything.” The Carters had their first proper Thanksgiving in years, and David found a new job a month later. This year, he volunteered at the Turkey Drive, helping hand out meals to other families. “The Titans didn’t just help me when I was down—they made me want to help others,” he said. “That’s how communities get stronger.”

A defining story in Community Impact Stories from the Tennessee Titans Initiatives is Jaden’s dream of playing football coming true—thanks to the Titans’ Youth Sports Grants. Jaden Moore, a 10-year-old from Jackson, Tennessee, had begged his mom to let him play football for years, but the \(200 registration fee and \)150 equipment cost were too much for his single mother, who works two jobs to make ends meet. “I’d watch football on TV and pretend I was a Titan,” Jaden said. “I even made a jersey out of paper and wore it to bed.” In 2024, Jaden’s mom heard about the Titans’ Youth Sports Grants, which cover registration and equipment fees for low-income kids. She applied, and Jaden was approved to join the Jackson Youth Football League—with his entire cost covered by the grant. He received a new helmet, pads, and jersey (his favorite number, 99, just like Titans edge rusher Will Compton) and joined the team’s defensive line. By the end of the season, Jaden was the team’s leading sack leader and was named “Most Improved Player.” “Playing football made me feel like I belonged,” Jaden said. “My coach says I could be a Titan someday, and I believe him.” For the Tennessee Titans, stories like Jaden’s are why they fund the grants. “Every kid should have the chance to play sports, regardless of how much money their family has,” said Titans Foundation executive director Beth Brock. “Sports teach teamwork and resilience—skills that help kids in school and in life. Jaden’s success is exactly what this program is about.”

Another powerful story of impact is Lila’s battle with anxiety—and how the Titans’ Mental Health Initiative helped her heal. Lila Thompson, a 16-year-old from Knoxville, started struggling with severe anxiety in her freshman year of high school, making it hard for her to attend class or hang out with friends. “I’d lock myself in my room and cry for hours,” Lila said. “I didn’t know how to ask for help.” Her school counselor told her about the Titans’ Mindful Schools program, which brings mental health experts and Titans players to schools for stress management workshops. Lila attended a workshop led by Titans linebacker Harold Landry, who shared his own experience with anxiety before games. “He told me he takes deep breaths and repeats ‘one play at a time’ to calm down,” Lila said. “That stuck with me.” She started using the mindfulness techniques she learned in the workshop—deep breathing, journaling, and positive self-talk—and began meeting with a Titans-funded school counselor once a week. Within six months, Lila’s anxiety improved enough that she rejoined the school’s art club and started attending football games with her friends. “The Titans didn’t just give me tools to handle anxiety—they made me feel like I wasn’t alone,” she said. For the Tennessee Titans, supporting mental health is a priority, especially for young people. “Anxiety and depression affect so many kids, but there’s still a stigma around asking for help,” Landry said. “If sharing my story can help one kid like Lila, then this program is worth it. The Titans care about more than football—we care about the whole person.”

Wrapping up Community Impact Stories from the Tennessee Titans Initiatives is how these individual stories add up to community change—and why the Titans see this work as part of their identity. Maria, David, Jaden, and Lila aren’t just isolated cases: since 2020, the Titans’ Reading Challenge has helped over 100,000 students improve their reading skills; the Turkey Drive has provided meals to 125,000 families; the Youth Sports Grants have helped 5,000 kids play sports; and the Mental Health Initiative has reached 25,000 students. These numbers translate to stronger, more connected communities—where kids have hope, families have security, and people feel supported. For the Tennessee Titans, these stories are a reminder of why they do what they do. “We’re not just a football team—we’re part of Tennessee,” said Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk. “These stories aren’t about us—they’re about the incredible people in our community who just needed a little help to thrive. It’s an honor to be part of their journeys.” As the Titans continue their community work, they’ll keep sharing these stories—not to boast, but to inspire others to give back. Ultimately, Community Impact Stories from the Tennessee Titans Initiatives shows that sports have the power to change lives—and that the Titans are using that power to make Tennessee a better place for everyone.