Titans Pick Up Former Vanderbilt Star Zach Cunningham Off Waivers

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Zach Cunningham. Photo: Courtesy of Vanderbilt Athletics.

The Tennessee Titans have claimed former Texans and Vanderbilt linebacker Zach Cunningham off waivers after he was cut by Houston on Wednesday, Dec. 8.

In his 10 games for Houston this season, Cunningham has 67 total tackles, one forced fumble and three pass deflections. He joins the Titans after four-plus seasons in Houston, playing 72 games (66 starts). During his time with the Texans, he tallied 570 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, thee fumble recoveries and one interception. His 164 tackles ranked as the second-highest total in the NFL in 2020, and a career high.

He was a second round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft from Vanderbilt where he earned All-SEC honors in 2015 and 2016. Since being in the league, Cunningham has eclipsed the 100 total tackle mark in each of the past three seasons, including 164 tackles in 2020.

Cunningham adds much needed help on defense as the team is still facing injuries from Rashaan Evans, David Long and Jayon Brown. He will not be available for the Titans game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Dec. 12 at Nissan Stadium.

2021 Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Award Winners Announced

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Pictured: Winners of the 2021 Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Award. Photo: Courtesy of the TSSAA

The best high school football players in the state of Tennessee were recognized at a special luncheon hosted by the Tennessee Titans on Tuesday, Dec. 7.

More than 400 people, including the honorees, their families, coaches, school administrators and members of the media from all parts of the state, attended the luncheon at Nissan Stadium to celebrate the 10 winners of the 2021 Mr. Football awards.

“This is such an outstanding honor for all 30 of the young men recognized today at the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards,” says Bernard Childress, Executive Director of the TSSAA. “They were here not only due to their athletic ability that they displayed on the field throughout the season, but just as much for their outstanding character and academic achievements.”

Finalist for the yearly awards were nominated by high school head coaches and members of the media. A committee of statewide sports writers selected winners based on performance in the 2021 regular season. Academics and character were also taken into consideration.

2021 Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Award Winner:

Division I, Class 1A
Khalik Ganaway, Peabody

Division I, Class 2A
Ty Simpson, Westview

Division I, Class 3A
Caden Buckles, Alcoa

Division I, Class 4A
Bari’On Brown, Pearl Cohn

Division I, Class 5A
De’Sean Bishop, Karns

Division I, Class 6A
Destin Wade, Summit

Division II, Class A
Steele Haynes, USJ

Division II, Class AA
Alexander Broome, Lipscomb Academy

Division II, Class AAA
Dallan Hayden, Christian Brothers

Kicker of the Year
Justus Chadwick, Tullahoma

Former Titan Kenny Vaccaro Launches E-Sports Company

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Kenny Vaccaro. Photo: Caleb Jones/Tennessee Titans

Former Tennessee Titan safety Kenny Vaccaro has launched esports company Gamers First (G1) after announcing his official retirement on Dec. 1.  Vaccaro unveils this new organization alongside entrepreneurs and professional gamers Hunter Swennson and Cody Hendrix.

A University of Texas standout, Vaccaro played eight seasons in the NFL, five with the New Orleans Saints and the final three with the Titans before being cut in March of 2021.

“This isn’t a reflex decision for me; it’s something I’ve thought about for a long time,” Vaccaro shares. “I’ve been a gamer for even longer than I’ve played football, and I’ve always thought of myself as a gamer first. So this is the realization of a long-term dream for me. And while football has been how many have defined me, G1 is evidence for other athletes as well that life doesn’t end just because you put down the helmet. You reinvent yourself.”

The company currently has a team for Destiny competitions. You can learn about Vaccaro’s new venture and what G1 has to offer on its website.

Derrick Henry Named Titans Nominee For 2021 Walter Payton Man Of The Year Award

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Titans running back Derrick Henry visits DuPont Hadley Middle School in Nashville, TN. Photo: Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titan running back Derrick Henry is the organization’s nominee for the 2021 Walter Payton Man Of The Year Award for his charity work in the Nashville community.

“The Walter Payton Man of the Year is a special honor and I’m truly humbled to be the Titans’ nominee,” says Henry. “Helping others in need is something I hold close to my heart, and I’m fortunate to be able to help level the playing field for today’s youth through my foundation, the Two All Foundation. It is a blessing to be a blessing.”

Henry founded the Two All Foundation to level the playing field for today’s youth, so their future success isn’t limited by the circumstances of their upbringing, background, disability, or influence. In the spring of 2021, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame named Henry “Tennessean of the Year”–not only for his historic performance on the field, but also for his contributions as a leader in the Nashville and Middle Tennessee community.

In March 2021, Henry made a $10,000 donation from his Two All Foundation to Jeremy Taylor, a Nashville firefighter who lost his family home and all their belongings in a fire. Taylor, a Titans season ticket holder, was surprised at his fire station with a $15,000 donation–$10,000 from Henry’s Two All Foundation, along with a $5,000 contribution from Campbell’s Chunky Soup.

In July 2021, for the fourth consecutive year, Henry hosted a back-to-school event in his hometown of Yulee, Florida. Through his Two All Foundation, Henry donated school supplies, backpacks, and bicycles to 200 kids.

Titans running back Derrick Henry with Academy Sports + Outdoors to take 30 kids from the Boys and Girls Club of Middle Tennessee shopping for back to school clothes and shoes in Nashville, TN. Photo: Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Then in September, Henry worked with the Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee to host a back-to-school event. Through Foundation sponsors and personal donations from Henry, they were able to meet B&GC’s goal of providing 5,000 backpacks full of school supplies to children in need, including $50 gift cards to Burlington for 25 children the club identified as the most in-need. Henry also hosted these 25 kids for an in-person, back-to-school shopping day with additional $100 gift cards.

“I am proud of the work our players do in the community and appreciate the opportunity to highlight that work,” says Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel. “Derrick has a passion for making a difference for those who are in need and the young people in our community. His leadership on and off the field is a great example of what it means to be a professional football player.”

All 32 nominees will wear a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal through the end of the season in recognition of their accomplishments. They will also receive up to a $40,000 donation in their name to their charity of choice.

The winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special airing the Thursday before Super Bowl LVI, on ABC. The winner will receive a $250,000 donation to the charity of his choice. All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nationwide.

Tennessee State University & NFL Hall Of Famer Claude Humphrey Dies At 77

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Former Tennessee State University football player and Pro Football Hall of Famer Claude Humphrey died on Friday (Dec. 3) at the age of 77.

Humphrey was an All-American defensive tackle at TSU, playing for the Tigers from 1964 to 1967. He was initially an offensive tackle, but was switched to defensive end in his freshman year, where he became a three-time All-American.

Humphrey solidified himself as a Tigers legend by playing in four college all-star games in his senior year: the Senior Bowl, the Blue-Gray Game, the Coaches All-American Game and the College All-Star game. He finished his collegiate career as the all-time leader in sacks at TSU with 39 and currently ranks fifth.

“I would like to extend my deepest condolences to Mr. Humphrey’s family during this very difficult time,” says Director of Athletics, Dr. Mikki Allen. “Mr. Humphrey was truly loved by his TSU family and across the landscape of football.”

He went on to have a stellar professional career, being selected in the first round of the 1968 NFL Draft and going third overall to the Atlanta Falcons. In his rookie season in Atlanta, he was named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Humphrey played 13 seasons in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons (1968-74, 76-77) and the Philadelphia Eagles (1979-81).

Humphrey was named All-NFL or All-Pro eight times, and he was selected to the Pro Bowl on six different occasions during his tenure in Atlanta. In his 1980 season with the Eagles, Humphrey totaled a team-high 14.5 sacks on the way to an NFC Championship and an appearance in Super Bowl XV.

“The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Claude Humphrey,” says Jim Porter, president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “Known as a hard worker and a reliable teammate, Humphrey was always willing to help the team wherever needed and knew success was achieved collectively. His humble spirit guided him on and off the field.”

Humphrey has been inducted into the Tennessee State University Hall of Fame, Georgia Hall of Fame, Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame, Tennessee Hall of Fame, Atlanta Falcons Hall of Fame, and his high school’s Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014, and his college and high school both retired his jersey.

University Of Tennessee, Purdue To Face Off In 2021 TransPerfect Music City Bowl

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The University of Tennessee and Purdue University are set to meet in this year’s TransPerfect Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium on Dec. 30.

The 7-5 Volunteers and 8-4 Boilermakers will square off for the second time since their first meeting at the 1979 Bluebonnet Bowl. Purdue won that contest by a score of 27-22 in Johnny Majors‘ third season.

“I’d first like to thank Scott Ramsey and the TransPerfect Music City Bowl for their enthusiasm about hosting Vol Nation,” says Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White. “There is extraordinary love and support for the Vols in and around Nashville, and it will be incredible to see Big Orange fans from all across the country converge in the mid-state to celebrate our football team during bowl week. We’re all incredibly proud of our football student-athletes, coaches and staff for earning this postseason opportunity.”

Tennessee had an exciting season behind head coach Josh Heupel’s first season winning games against Missouri, Kentucky and South Carolina. The Vols became bowl eligible on Nov. 20 after beating South Alabama 60-14.

“We are excited about finishing this first season in our home state in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl,” says Heupel. “It’s a great opportunity for us to put the finishing touches on the positive momentum we have created over our first 11 months. I am especially thrilled for our seniors, who get one more chance to compete. Purdue is an outstanding and well-coached team. I look forward to seeing all of Vol Nation in Nashville, and I know our team has appreciated your support the entire season.”

It will be Tennessee’s 54th bowl appearance, which ranks fifth nationally. It will also be the Vols’ third Music City Bowl appearance since UT topped Nebraska 38-24 in 2016.

Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. CT and will air on ESPN. Tickets for the game are on sale here.

Tennessee Titans Foundation To Host Art Show Fundraiser

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The Tennessee Titans Foundation is hosting an art show from Dec. 10-11, which will feature Titans-inspired artwork created by artists from Tennessee and across the nation. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore and purchase the artwork for their home collection.

On Friday, Dec. 10, the organization will be hosting the Titans Art Show Block Party from 6-10 p.m. at the Saint Elle. There will be music from DJ Cisco, along with a food trucks from Slim & Husky’s and M.L. Rose. Artwork from the show will be featured with the opportunity to purchase Titans-inspired art supporting Tennessee’s best artists and The Titans Foundation. Tickets include access to the event and the open bar.

On Saturday, Dec. 11, the Titans will be hosting Titans Art Brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Saint Elle. Attendees can enjoy an open bar, free donuts and cinnamon rolls and a live taping of Out of Bounds, an official Titans podcast hosted by Jaimie Robinson, wife of Titans general manager Jon Robinson, and Nashville Guru’s Abby Flittner. They will be joined by a surprise celebrity guest for the live taping. Tickets include access to the event and live taping, an open bar featuring brunch drink staples, and free donuts and cinnamon rolls.

All proceeds benefit The Titans Foundation, featured artists and supporting non-profits. For more information about the event and to see which artists will be featured, visit the Tennessee Titans website.

This past year the Titans Foundation raised over $150,000 for the communities of Middle Tennessee affected by August’s deadly floods. Supplies and football equipment were also donated to Waverly High School.

Chris Young To Headline SEC Championship Concert In December

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Chris Young. Photo: Jeff Johnson

Multi-Platinum country artist Chris Young will headline the first-ever T-Mobile SEC Championship Concert on Dec. 3, the eve of the SEC Championship game between No. 1 Georgia and No. 3 Alabama.

“Anyone who knows me, knows I pretty much live and breathe football,” says Young.  “I am beyond pumped to team up with T-Mobile and the SEC to headline the concert before the SEC Championship game! Let’s GO!!”

Young will perform his hit songs, such as “Famous Friends,” “Tomorrow,” and “Gettin’ You Home,” alongside special guests and fellow Sony Music Nashville artists Mitchell Tenpenny and Kameron Marlowe. The show will take place at Georgia International Plaza outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

The show is free and open to the public with no ticket required. Fans on the ground can catch photo opportunities, food and beverages available for purchase, and more. The event kicks off at 4:30 p.m. CT with performances from Marlowe and Tenpenny, followed by Young taking the stage at 7 p.m. CT.

For fans who cannot attend in-person, T-Mobile will host a worldwide livestream broadcast of Young’s performance beginning at 6 p.m. CT via Young’s YouTube and Facebook channels.

Young has had an immensely successful career as he’s a member of the iconic Grand Ole Opry, has nearly 5 billion on-demand streams, 13 million singles sold, 12 career No. 1 singles, and 22 RIAA certified projects.