Larry Stone: Hail to the Fans

During the Colts' first offensive series Sunday, I heard a dull roar of cheering, stomping, and general noise. I know the precision with which our producer/engineer Jeff Lyon puts together the sound of the broadcast, but I wondered if even he could have enough microphones to pick up the Titans' fans in the RCA Dome.

I called down to our sideline reporter Cody Allison who could see the entire stadium.

'Cody, are there that many Titans' fans here making that noise,' I asked.

'It's hard to tell if it's that or that the Colts fans are making noise at the wrong time,' he replied.

RCA Dome officials began flashing 'Quiet: Offense at Work' on the big screen, but still the noise remained.

And it grew louder.

And louder.

So loud, that Peyton Manning had to use a silent count at one point.

So loud, that after the game head coach Jim Mora said the Titans fans were 'too fantastic at times.'

So loud, that Colts president Bill Polian wants a scalping law passed in Indiana so that tickets don't end up in the hands of 'third parties.'

'We need that law,' Polian told the Indianapolis Star. 'But we also need people to understand that it's important to the home team to have the home fans behind them.'

So loud, that after the game, Titans' player saluted the upper deck where so much of the noise came from.

The Titans left Nashville International Airport to several hundred fans Saturday. The Westin Hotel's lobby in downtown Indianapolis was full of fans when they arrived. Thousands of fans, many who did no even have tickets, milled around the team hotel and the RCA Dome Saturday night and Sunday. Some six to eight thousand fans greeted the team on their return to Nashville.

Whenever this magical season ends and we reflect on MVPs, my vote goes to the Titans fans. Some nationally will say this support simply a case of bandwagoning at its best. But in reality, the pride of the Titans has been building since this time last year. Winning certainly helps, but this team has truly found a place in the heart of mid south residents.

Hail to the Titans and, more importantly, to the Titans fans.