The clock showed 2:37 in the 4th quarter, the Arizona Cardinals leading the Tennessee Titans 17-13, when Vince Young was handed the football on the Titans’ own 1 yard line. I can not even begin to presume what nickname will be chosen for the drive that followed.
Every fan at LP Field was on their feet as the final minutes began to run out. It seemed like the Cardinals would deliver a defeat that would crush the Titans winning streak, along with all playoff hopes. Things looked grim as the Titans faced 4th and 4 inside their own 10 yard line. However, applause filled the stadium as rookie receiver, Kenny Britt, made a terrific play on a jump ball to keep the drive alive.
You could feel a breath of life spark the crowd as Young continued to connect with his receivers on quick out patters. Before anyone knew it, the Young had scrambled to convert another 4th down, this time to young receiver Lavelle Hawkins. A few plays later the crowd fell deathly silent as Young’s pass was tipped into the air, but the fans at LP erupted when the bobbled pass found its way into the hands of tight end Bo Scaife, who took it deep into Cardinals territory. Tight end Jared Cook would follow up with another big play, this time landing the ball on the Cardinals 10 yard line with only seconds remaining. Three plays would come and go as Young barely missed receiver Nate Washington inside the 5, then took a tough hit from the Cardinals defense. The moment of truth was at hand. 4th and 10, 6 seconds remaining in the ball game. Was this drive too good to be true? A miss here would end the Titans comeback season, a blow they could not afford to take.
On 4th and 10, Vince Young dropped back from the shotgun. The seconds quickly rolled from the clock as Young surveyed the end zone for an open target. The clock inside his head instinctively went off and he began to escape the pocket, heading toward the line of scrimmage. Everyone in LP Field expected a heroic Vince Young touchdown run attempt until receiver Kenny Britt came open across the back of the end zone. Young fired it up for the Titans’ 1st round pick, who made an aggressive attack on the ball.
From the far end of the stadium I saw Britt grab the ball and take a big hit from a Cardinal defender. I held my breath as I watched the crowd along the end zone for a sign of anything. The crowd went into mass celebration mode as Kenny Britt, the youngest man in the NFL, hopped to his feet with the ball in hand! Vince Young had capped a 99 yard 4th quarter comeback with a touchdown pass to his new play maker.
All I can remember is my dad looking at me with huge eyes screaming “YES!!!!!” I was shouting, jumping, giving double high fives to everyone in section 116. Before I knew it, my friend Kevin had run from a few rows below to celebrate with us. The energy at LP Field tonight has not been seen since the Music City Miracle over a decade ago.
As we walked over the Cumberland back into downtown Nashville, U2’s “Beautiful Day” was blasting from the loudspeakers. The celebration could be heard into the night all the way across the river. I don’t know what nickname this legendary drive will be given, but I assure, it was the greatest sports moment of my life.
