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We were saddened to hear the news about the passing of Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams today. We'd like to honor his memory with a collection of images and stories from the Heroes feature in our November 2009 issue.
For most of us, the idea of owning a professional sports team is a bit hard to grasp. With so many millions of dollars involved, it's also out of reach, even for the wealthy. While the majority of today's teams are owned by groups of people buying in on percentages, that isn't the case with Tennessee's beloved franchiseBud Adams is the founder, sole owner, chairman and CEO of the Tennessee Titans. Because of him and the team he's built, our community is a better place.
What Sunday gamegoers may not much consider is just how much Bud Adams loves football. I strolled through the halls of his beautiful home in Houston, seeing photos of the young Adams on the field, and it was obvious he developed his passion early. At Culver Military Academy, he earned letters in football, baseball and basketball. While at Menlo College, he lettered in both rugby and football, and then again in football when he transferred to the University of Kansas.
Here in Tennessee, he's been a trailblazer unlike any other, everwell beyond the revenue the team, stadium and tax dollars that have boosted our overall economy immeasurably. I'm not sure the average person upset over a play or a loss ever stops to consider the millions spent in our city or the thousands of jobs supporting local families that totem from Adams' choice to relocate in Tennessee. From real estate to hospitality, retail to healthcare, he and his Titans have impacted us all.
Since the team arrived, local charities have seen more than $18 million flow into their organizations (that number is likely low since the individual players' efforts aren't counted). Bud and Nancy Adams established the Tennessee Titans Foundation in 1999 with an initial gift of $500,000 to support non-profits, and that's continued to build over the years.
As a long-time supporter and contributor to the Boy Scouts, Mr. Adams has been invaluable to Tennessee's youth. He not only offers money, but serves on boards, regularly lending knowledge and expertise. His kind of giving takes time, effort and thoughtand the realization that certain things can ultimately change and shape lives.
When this piece was originally written, Bud Adams was 87 and still doing things that will forever impact othersyoung and old. He's the definition of a hero and will be missed.