Mr. Football Awards Boost Local Ties for the Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans’ annual Mr. Football Award—honoring the team’s most valuable player—has evolved far beyond a simple trophy presentation. For the Titans, this event has become a cornerstone of their community engagement strategy, a chance to deepen roots in Nashville and Middle Tennessee by tying on-field excellence to local pride. In a 2024 season marked by rebuild and transition, the Mr. Football Awards took on added significance: it wasn’t just about celebrating a player, but about reconnecting with fans, supporting local businesses, and reinforcing that the Titans are more than a football team—they’re a part of the community fabric. Mr. Football Awards Boost Local Ties for the Tennessee Titans explores how the ceremony partners with local vendors, highlights recipient community work, invites fan participation, drives post-event outreach, and strengthens long-term fan loyalty amid team changes.

Mr. Football Awards Boost Local Ties for the Tennessee Titans starts with the ceremony’s intentional partnerships with Nashville businesses, turning the event into a showcase for local talent. The 2024 Awards, held at the Omni Nashville Hotel, featured a menu crafted entirely by local chefs: smoked brisket from Peg Leg Porker, fried green tomatoes from The Smokin’ Pig, and pecan pie from Loveless Café—all staples of Nashville’s culinary scene. Beverages included craft beer from Yazoo Brewing Company and sweet tea from local favorite Arnold’s Country Kitchen. Even the ceremony’s decor highlighted local artists: centerpieces featured hand-painted footballs by Nashville muralist Tim Davis, and gift bags for attendees included products from local shops (like custom Titans-themed candles from Green Door Gourmet). “We wanted this night to feel like Nashville,” said Titans chief marketing officer Gil Beverly. “By partnering with local businesses, we’re not just hosting an event—we’re supporting the community that supports us.” These partnerships also extended to promotion: local radio stations (like WKDF) and newspapers (The Tennessean) ran exclusive coverage of the Awards, turning the ceremony into a citywide conversation.

Mr. Football Awards Boost Local Ties for the Tennessee Titans delves into how the ceremony spotlights the recipient’s off-field work in Middle Tennessee, linking player excellence to community impact. This year’s winner, defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, was honored not just for his 11 sacks and 18 tackles for loss, but for his work with the Titans Foundation’s “Feed the Need” program—where he has donated over \(50,000 to provide meals to underserved families in Davidson County. During the ceremony, a video montage showed Simmons visiting local food banks, packing meal boxes with volunteers, and speaking to students at Nashville’s Pearl-Cohn High School about the importance of giving back. “Jeffery doesn’t just play for the Titans—he lives in Nashville, and he cares about this city,” said Titans Foundation executive director Kate Guerra. Simmons doubled down on his commitment during his acceptance speech, announcing a new \)25,000 donation to “Feed the Need” and challenging his teammates to join him in volunteering. This focus on community work isn’t accidental: the Titans intentionally select Mr. Football finalists who embody “Titans values”—on-field performance paired with off-field service—ensuring the award reflects the team’s commitment to Nashville.

Mr. Football Awards Boost Local Ties for the Tennessee Titans covers how fan participation turns the Awards into a shared experience, not just a spectator event. Months before the ceremony, the Titans launched a “Fan Vote” on their official website, inviting supporters to cast ballots for their favorite player (fan votes make up 30% of the final decision). To encourage engagement, the team hosted “Vote & Win” events at local retailers: fans who voted in-person at Academy Sports + Outdoors or Dick’s Sporting Goods received free Titans gear and entries into a raffle for ceremony tickets. The winner of the raffle—12-year-old Titans fan Lila Mae from Franklin—was invited to present the “Fan Favorite” plaque to Simmons during the ceremony, a moment that went viral on social media. “Including fans in the process makes them feel like they’re part of the team,” Beverly said. For the Tennessee Titans, this participation is critical during a rebuild: it gives fans a stake in the team’s success, even when wins are hard to come by. Post-ceremony surveys showed that 85% of fans who voted felt “more connected to the Titans” after the event, a key metric for maintaining loyalty.

Another layer of Mr. Football Awards Boost Local Ties for the Tennessee Titans is the post-ceremony outreach that extends the event’s impact beyond one night. In the week following the Awards, Simmons and other Titans players visited local schools and community centers as part of the “Mr. Football Community Tour.” At Nashville’s Napier Elementary School, Simmons read to students, answered questions about football and perseverance, and handed out books donated by the Titans Foundation. At the YMCA of Middle Tennessee, players hosted a football clinic for 200 kids, teaching basic drills and emphasizing teamwork. The Titans also partnered with local TV station WKRN to air a one-hour “Mr. Football Special,” featuring behind-the-scenes footage of the ceremony and highlights of Simmons’ community work—ensuring even fans who couldn’t attend felt included. “The Awards are just the start,” Guerra said. “We want to turn this celebration into ongoing action that benefits Nashville.” For the Tennessee Titans, this outreach isn’t just about goodwill—it’s about building long-term relationships: kids who meet Simmons or attend a clinic today become lifelong fans tomorrow, a critical investment for a team in transition.

Mr. Football Awards Boost Local Ties for the Tennessee Titans closes with why these local bonds matter for the Titans’ future. In a league where fan loyalty can waver during losing seasons, the Mr. Football Awards remind Nashville that the Titans are committed to the city—even when the team is rebuilding. The event supports local businesses, highlights player service, and gives fans a reason to celebrate, all while reinforcing the team’s identity as “Nashville’s Titans.” Season-ticket renewal rates spiked 10% in the weeks after the 2024 Awards, and social media engagement with the #TitansMrFootball hashtag reached over 500,000 impressions—signs that the event is strengthening fan trust. “Rebuilding a team isn’t just about signing players or drafting prospects—it’s about keeping the community by your side,” said Titans GM Ran Carthon. For the Tennessee Titans, the Mr. Football Awards are more than an annual event—they’re a promise: that no matter how the team evolves, Nashville will always be at the center of its success. As Simmons put it during his speech: “This award isn’t just for me—it’s for Nashville. Thank you for sticking with us. We’re building something special here, together.”