Titans tickets pay off

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Like the stock market, renewing NFL season tickets can be a risky investment, but for those daring enough to buy Tennessee Titans packages, the return has been exceptionally high thus far this year.

Local businessmen Jeff Howerton and Jimmy Riddle are two Hopkins County residents who attend each Titans game and have been reaping the benefits from the joy of watching an undefeated team this football season.

“The last game, we asked a scalper as we were tailgating, asked him what’s club level going for,” Riddle said. “Jeff likes to mess with those guys and they were going between $500 and $600 and we said ‘We got two for you’ and he said ‘I can’t afford them.’”

Although Riddle is a relative new season-ticket holder at three years, Howerton’s allegiance stretches back to 1999, the Titans’ first official year.

“Being an hour and a half away, I thought it would be a good idea,” Howerton said of his initial purchase. “Turns out, it has been.”

Without much argument, that first season provided the most unforgettable play in franchise history when wide receiver Kevin Dyson returned a kickoff for a game-winning touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs.

“The best memory so far would be the Music City Miracle,” Howerton said. “I was at that game. We won the playoffs over Buffalo. That was real exciting. I think all 68,000 people were standing up in their seats screaming. My seats are kind of the endzone corner and Dyson was running right down towards me.”

For Riddle, the moments that stand out are those that were actually missed.

During week 12 of the 2006 season, the Titans trailed the New York Giants 21-0 heading into the fourth quarter. Facing a nearly impossible comeback, Titans fans, including Riddle and Howerton, filed out of the stadium.

The pair made their way back to Madisonville feeling they had just witnessed a shutout, but when they stopped in Clarksville, Tenn., they were quite surprised.

“We turn the radio on and the Titans are kicking a 50-yard field goal for the win,” Riddle said.

Rookie quarterback Vince Young and kicker Rob Bironas led Tennessee to 24 unanswered, fourth-quarter points for the improbable victory.

Not having yet learned their lesson, the duo of Howerton and Riddle missed another incredible ending the following week.

Again, it was Bironas who provided the heroics with a game-winning field goal against the Indianapolis Colts.

“We left was when the Titans kicked a 61-yard field goal and we missed that,” Riddle said. “I told Jeff, ‘I won’t ever leave any ballgame again.’”

With Brett Favre and the AFC East Division-leading New York Jets coming to town today, not many fans will be expected to leave before the final ticks of the clock.

“I think it will be a good game,” Howerton said. “I think we can beat them.”

Some Titans fans, including Riddle, have noticed that not many members of the national media have given Tennessee its due respect for being undefeated so late in the season.

“The past several weeks I’ve watched ESPN and the sports reporters and all this and every week they pick the Titans to get upset,” Riddle said. “This past weekend, they said, “Well if the Titans ever get behind, because they’re a running team, they can’t win,’ and here they go do it again.”

Riddle said he admitted he’s a bit partial, but doesn’t necessarily mind the slight because he thinks the team is playing harder with a chip on the shoulder in the underdog role each week.

The lack of superstars may also be lulling the press and other teams from keeping attention on the Titans, Howerton said.

“Tennessee is not a big-market team with a lot of money,” he said. “I think they’re doing it with the old workmanship way with a lot of hard-working players at each position.”

Both Howerton and Riddle have two season-ticket passes and usually take family members to the game and for today’s game, Riddle will take his daughter, who made the trip from San Antonio.

“She’s turned into a pro football junkie, she loves it,” Riddle said. “I thought, ‘Golly, if the Titans could be 10-0, I’m going to take her and send my wife shopping.’”

By the time most individuals pick up the paper or begin their Sunday responsibilities, Riddle and Howerton will be firing up the grill in Nashville.

“I keep telling people when the sun comes up, I’ll be starting my tailgate,” Riddle said.

Last week, Riddle said he enjoyed some caribou burgers thanks to his friend Skip McGaw, who hunted the animal in Quebec.

With great tailgate fare, a wonderful atmosphere and an undefeated team, Titans season-ticket holders feel they have hit the jackpot.

“These guys are so good, just being there watching is exciting,” Howerton said. “We just got our playoff tickets notice in the mail, so that gets you excited as well.”