Titans’ Season Opener Holds Special Significance
This season opener for the Titans against the Jets is particularly meaningful.
It’s not just Robert Saleh’s first game against the Titans, a team he previously coached, but also marks the NFL debut of Colonel Tate, the team’s fourth overall pick. Furthermore, the Titans recently announced that running back Chris Johnson will be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor during halftime.
This announcement follows Johnson’s recent diagnosis of ALS, which he shared publicly a month ago.
In an interview with “Good Morning America,” Johnson reflected on his diagnosis, admitting, “To be honest, I don’t know if you’ve ever fully processed it.” He described the initial shock followed by the realization that he had two choices: “give up or fight. I chose to fight.”
Drafted in the first round in 2008, Johnson had a successful six-year stint with the Titans before wrapping up his career with the Jets and Cardinals.
The 40-year-old running back consistently surpassed 1,000 rushing yards each season during his time with the Titans, accumulating a total of 7,965 rushing yards, ranking fourth in the franchise’s history.
Amy Adams Strunk, the controlling owner of the Titans, expressed the team’s admiration for Johnson, stating, “Chris Johnson holds a special place in the hearts of our organization and our fans.” She added that his achievements speak for themselves and emphasized the importance of acknowledging the man behind the numbers. “We look forward to welcoming him home on September 13th,” she noted, referring to his induction into the Titans’ Ring of Honor.
Johnson’s standout year was 2009, during which he rushed for an impressive 2,006 yards, earning the nickname “CJ2K” and receiving the Offensive Player of the Year award.
Subsequently, he rushed for 663 yards with the Jets in 2014 before spending several seasons with the Cardinals from 2015 to 2017.
As the 20th player to enter the Titans’ Ring of Honor, Johnson expressed his deep appreciation for Nashville, stating, “I love Tennessee.” He mentioned his returning visits, feeling embraced by the city and its fans. “Nashville, and Tennessee, will always be my second home and always a place I will visit,” he added.
