Most athletes — no matter the sport — toe the company-team line after getting caught doing something wrong. But most times those statements seem forced, dishonest and flat-out fake.
But in the case of Tennessee Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan, it is vastly different. The guy took to social media a month before the NFL announced his upcoming four-game suspension. He said it was for a banned substance: a fertility drug, according to Lewan. The guy was thinking of his life and family after football.
If you’ve seen any past interviews with Taylor Lewan, granted at times he comes off funny with a quip. But most of all, he comes off raw and brutally honest. Even if you don’t like it, you have to at least respect that. Whether he’s asked about a non-call, a cheap shot on his quarterback, or Derrick Henry running at will against the Jaguars, you will get your answer the way he sees it. Many other players usually stick to the politically correct answer.
And if he has a bad game, he’ll tell you so before you can even ask. Again, you have to respect that whether it’s a friend, family member, or professional football player.
Even if you’re not a fan of the Titans, after seeing this guy on the field, you’d at the very least wish he was on your team. He exemplifies the heart and protective instincts for his team every snap. When my 13-year-old son was tasked last year with being the left tackle on his football team, I had him watch Lewan. Snap after snap. Even plays going the other way. Watching how to maintain your assignment.
Not only did a few of his moves and techniques resonate, but so did some of — shall we say — his verbal garbage … but it’s all good. Despite this whole suspension, Lewan is still a role model for young players and fans alike. Remember, everyone makes mistakes. Everyone messes up.
Granted it’s never a good thing to lose a key piece of your team, especially one as crucial to his team’s success, the guy tasked with protecting Marcus Mariota’s blindside. But the Tennessee Titans will be without him for the first four games, beginning Week 1 against Myles Garrett and the Browns and following that up with back-to-back division games against the Colts and the Jaguars.
Lewan shouldn’t have gotten a pass, but perhaps the benefit of the doubt? He at least deserves a second chance. Other guys have had three, four, and five chances.
As a die-hard fan of this team, I’m disappointed that arguably the key to the entire offense, Lewan and his “protect your QB” mentality won’t be on the field. If the team can survive the first four games fairly unscathed without him, they will be that much stronger when he is back. He will play with something more to prove and the Titans will benefit from his return through the season.
2 Responses
I support Taylor. He is a leader in the locker room and yes he made a mistake but I think he deserves us to stand with him.
I support Taylor. He is a leader in the locker room and yes he made a mistake but I think he deserves us to stand with him.