In the pages of The Tennessean, I recently stumbled upon an intriguing story that made me feel very proud. The article cemented the fact that our beloved city and its pro football team, the Tennessee Titans, are not just making waves locally, but are gaining fame and admiration around the globe.
At the center of this story is Jamie Cowperthwaite, a 49-year-old British anomaly. Raised in the town of Hull, he was introduced by his father to the music of Glen Campbell. He developed a profound affection for country music. Jamie turned this love into a career by hosting his own country music radio show, through which he shares the vibrant sounds of Nashville.
When it came time to pick an NFL team to cheer for, Jamie Cowperthwaite’s deep-seated connections to Nashville’s rich culture left no room for doubt — the Titans were it. His devotion to the Titans spans approximately 15 years, a love affair that reached its zenith during a unique moment in London. Alongside his wife Miria, Jamie found himself among the enthusiastic crowd gathered at a London pub. This pep rally was a prelude to the much-anticipated game between the Titans and the Baltimore Ravens, part of the NFL International Series.
Amid the celebration, an extraordinary encounter transpired. Jamie was honored to meet none other than Titans’ controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk, who graced the gathering, fueling the excitement of the fans. It wasn’t a high-profile event but an intimate connection between the team’s leadership and its global supporters. Here was Amy Adams Strunk, mingling with the crowd, embodying the Titans’ spirit and showing that the Titans’ reach extends beyond Tennessee’s borders.
Taking Jamie’s experience as a testament to the Titans’ growing international allure, there are more stories that underscore Nashville’s rise as a city that captures the imagination of people worldwide.
The Schmidts, Anne and Jonas, embarked on a unique journey from the German city Hanover to witness their cherished Titans in London. Their love for Nashville was sparked during a road trip across the United States in 2014 and solidified when they attended a Titans game in 2017. Their connection to our city has become so profound that Anne humorously suggested they would have postponed their wedding had the London game coincided with the big day.
And why wouldn’t she feel that way? Nashville was recently ranked No. 8 on Travel & Leisure’s “15 Favorite Cities in the United States” list. It’s little wonder, as so many from around the globe find Nashville one of the greatest places for culture, food, shopping and — of course — music and sports.
But getting back to the Titans — remember when they were the Houston Oilers? As also reported by The Tennessean, Paul Tarr is a 59-year-old resident of Southampton, England, who boasts an intimate knowledge of American football. In the 1980s, he invested the equivalent of nearly $2,000 in modern U.S. dollars in his own football gear and joined a local league as a guard. Fueled by this passion for American football, Paul devised a rather unique method of choosing his NFL allegiance. Each week, he decided to support the team that had the worst outcome. The Houston Oilers suffered a severe defeat on one fateful Sunday, leading to a commitment that has lasted to this day. In an amusing twist, “He bet himself he’d buy a custom-made Julius Chestnut jersey if the former undrafted running back made it onto the 53-man roster this preseason.” Several months later, when Chestnut secured his spot on the squad, Paul proudly donned his Chestnut jersey.
These stories show us how the Tennessee Titans, representing our great city of Nashville, have forged an international fan base, uniting people from various regions via a common love for the game of football and the city of Nashville itself. It’s clear our beautiful city and our beloved Titans are celebrated far and wide. It makes me proud to call Nashville my home.
Bill Freeman
Bill Freeman is the owner of FW Publishing, the publishing company that produces the Nashville Scene, Nfocus, the Nashville Post and The News.
