What a weekend. Until it wasn’t, of course.
You could argue that aside from the final two quarters, this weekend was perfect. At very least, people are asking. And while I know everyone wants to move on from this weekend, I don’t. Not yet. Because I have to shout some people out from what was a fun weekend. Again, until it wasn’t.
Let’s shout some folks out… in no particular order, of course.
Everyone who showed up to Frontier on Saturday Night
Thank you so much to every single one of you who showed up and/or helped spread word. It was an incredible night. Based off the number of raffle tickets we pulled, we had around 125 people show up. And all but about 4 or 5 of them were Titans fans. It was incredible. Even more so considering this is the first live event we’ve ever attempted. When I found out the Titans were coming to Chicago, I knew I had to do something. Especially when that game was announced as the Week 1 matchup. Vibes were high coming into this season (and for me, still are high based on what we saw Sunday and more so, what I saw in pressers after the game).
Jim Wyatt
If there’s any question as to who the O.G. greatest Titans beat writer of all time is (the GTBWOAT). Keep in mind, when beat writers go on the road, they have very busy, very short trips. Their evenings on the night before games are sacred. So for Uncle Jim to not only pop in, but also stay for a good chunk of time and yap it up with Titans fans was incredible. Love that man.
Nate Bain (and everyone at the Titans)
The boys (and ladies) from the Titans caught wind of our party and sent some goodies for us to giveaway. It made for an even better experience for us to reward more people for coming out. The Titans didn’t need to do that, but it’s clear, they’re in this for the right reasons: to build and strengthen this fan base. In the grand scheme of football, the Titans are still an adolescent franchise. They’re aware enough to recognize that and are doing all they can to build generational fandom. Not to mention, they care about the people in their base and it shows. Thank you, Titans. You make me even more proud to be a fan.
My guy Vincent
This is a dude I wanted to meet in person so bad this weekend. He’s a great follow on Twitter (which is the only way I’ve gotten to know him) and more so, he’s a great sports fan and advocate for all things Nashville. As a guy from Nashville who hasn’t had the luxury to live there in nearly a decade, that means a lot to me. A lot of things in that town have changed since I moved away, but one constant remains: V. He’s a real one, especially when it comes to his favorite sports teams (many of which happen to be my favorite teams), and a lot of fans could learn a thing or two from his unwavering support and enthusiasm. I’ve met him once, albeit only for a brief minute, but I already know he’s my guy for life.
My guys Jeff and Chris
Two of the three other guys in my Titans text group made the trip up. Jeff, my best friend from high school (#GodBlessAndGoBruins) and lifelong ride-or-die Titans fan, and Chris, also a ride-or-die Titans and Preds fan. Jeff and Chris are responsible for many of the amazing cinematic masterpieces that the Titans drop to get us hyped in stadiums or before the season. Jeff directs, and Chris is a director of photography. They’re both beyond talented at what they do. It’s unreal. And one of the reasons their videos for the Titans go so hard is because they’re actually loyal and deeply-rooted fans. There was a time when the Titans franchise did not make good content or hype videos, these guys helped change that for the Titans.
DHGate
For offering cheap jerseys for me to buy for the party. Yeah, I bought these things with my own money because I wanted to reward and thank Titans fans for coming out to our Korked Bats party on Saturday. DHGate allowed me to do that (after jumping through a ton of hoops).
DHGate (rescinded)
But then, I’d also like to rescind that shoutout for taking too long to ship said jersey over from China (or wherever it came from), causing me to get our jersey winner’s address to mail him the jersey. The winner, of course, being…
My guy Colin
Met Colin (pictured above in the last pic with me, Chris and Jeff) this weekend and realized I’ve been a fan of this guy’s work for years. Alongside his partner Skinny, they’ve brought us dub videos for years, most notably at times when they came way more frequently. Colin is cool as hell, loves his Tennessee Titans fully, and was responsible for leading the first down chant for all the Titans fans in the nosebleeds of section 446. Glad I met Colin. I’ll get your jersey in the mail as soon as it arrives from Jamaica.
The guy who asked me if my last name was ‘Bats’
The Bean
For just being the most iconic landmark on God’s green earth. YOU GOTTA SEE THE BEAN!
Two-Toned Blue Nation
This is the incredible Titans tailgating group. They roll deep and they roll strong. They helped a lot with getting the word out for our party and then showed up in big ways on Saturday night. Shoutout to the whole crew. Love you guys!
Tony Pollard
For getting the scoring party started, keeping us hyped in section 446, and for allowing us to forget about any other running back in this franchise’s history.
This guy for rocking a Korked Bats t-shirt
People always ask me how they can support this dumb sports blog we’ve got. I always tell them the same thing: likes, reposts, engagement, but most of all, more than anything else, buying some merch, because that makes a direct impact on the growth of Korked Bats. I know that makes me sound like a used car salesman, but I can also get you into a like-new 2003 Buick La Sabre for low financing and 0% APR!
Jack Gentry
Despite ending our 4-year-old podcast ending this week, you know I still have love for my guy. Brothers for life. Even though this was only the second time we’ve been in the same room together.
My guy Riley for buying me a shot of Malort
If you came to Chicago this weekend and didn’t get a shot of Malort, then you technically didn’t come to Chicago this weekend. That sweet nectar made by Jepsen’s is the smoothest, most delicious shot that will ever tickle your throat. Just trust me. I live here. It definitely doesn’t taste like piss-colored windshield wiper fluid. Shoutout to my guy (and former serviceman for this beautiful country) Riley! Thank you for your service and the shot.
The 10 other people who bought me drinks this weekend
This actually tied into one of our DOING LINES bets this week.
The vibes at halftime
Man, nothing will compare to the feelings of walking around Soldier Field’s upper concourse shooting “Titan Up!”‘s to every single person in two-toned blue. To hitting up the bathroom and popcorn-ing of “Titan up!”‘s while we were all pissing. It was euphoric. If I could bottle that drug up, I would sell it harder than Walter White and Marty Byrd ever could.
My vocal chords
For holding on for dear life so I just enough of a voice to host my radio show Monday morning.
Thank you all for such an amazing weekend. Was it the greatest weekend ever (aside from the loss)? People are asking. And thanks for supporting this dumb sports blog. Let’s take it to outerspace!