Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota’s recent tour of four area high schools went off without a hitch, as the NFL starter covered topics about growing up, winning football games and the importance of a good education.
Mariota was in DeKalb County due to his partnership with Saint Thomas Health, speaking in Woodbury, McMinnville and Sparta as well.
Advice wasn’t the only thing Mariota left while visiting DeKalb County High School on Tuesday, July 25 .
“He donated $5,000 and the NFL matched it,” said DCHS Principal Randy Jennings. “Saint Thomas also donated $1.500 to the school.”
Jennings said the school was thrilled to receive the donation, with $10,000 earmarked for the football program and $1,500 to the school’s general fund the school is making good use of the windfall.
“We need some new pads and other updates to help our kids,” said Jennings. “We’re looking at a pole-type camera to take some aerial shots at practice. We’re also saving for a rainy day.”
Having positive role models is important, and Mariota says he was lucky to have them from an early age. From his parents and teachers to coaches and teammates, they have taught him a lot about life.
“I had a coach at a really young age, a soccer coach who said, ‘Don’t forget where you come from.’ There’s a bigger picture and you represent more than yourself.” Mariota recalled. “Everywhere I went and everything I did, I kept that in mind. It helped me in my everyday life to make decisions and for that I was very grateful.”
Mariota said he didn’t start playing football as a starter until his senior year of college, and that you have to keep your eye out for opportunity and take advantage of what life gives you starting with a solid foundation in education and remembering where you came from.
“Always be thankful for the sacrifice your parents made, your teachers made and everything you get… be grateful,” advised Mariota “It won’t last forever so just be grateful for it.”
“It was a great event for us to have Marcus come to DeKalb County and visit our football program,” said DCHS Tigers Head Football Coach Steve Trapp. “He is just the type of person our football players need to see and be around.”
“He didn’t start as a player until his senior year and that’s something we can relate to,” Trapp said. “It helped them understand the work it takes to get where you want to be so that was a great story for us to hear. As far as the financial gift, the funds help our program and help us coach these guys better. To do something special like that was wonderful.”
Marcus Mariota and Saint Thomas Health began working together in 2015. 
 “This is the first time we’ve partnered with Marcus on a high school tour as part of our ongoing relationship,” said Andy Wachtel, CEO of Saint Thomas Highlands Hospital in Sparta, Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital in Smithville and Saint Thomas Stones River Hospital in Woodbury.  “We appreciate very much Marcus’ focus on the importance of physical activity, healthy eating and making healthy life choices.   These are values that are very important both to him and to Saint Thomas Health.”
Mariota established the Motiv8 Foundation during his rookie year in 2015 to promote and support a healthy mind and body among youth in Hawaii, Oregon and Tennessee.
 The Titans are coming off a 9-7 season and finished tied with the Houston Texans atop the AFC South. However, the Texans advanced to the playoffs due to a better division record.
With Mariota entering his third season, the Titans can taste the flavor of the postseason. They have a rugged offensive line, durable backs in DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry, and a rebuilt secondary.
Mariota has emerged as a dual threat on the field with his passing and running ability.
In his rookie year, Mariota’s 87-yard TD run against the Jacksonville Jaguars was the third longest by a QB since 1960. He’s behind Terrelle Pryor, who went 93 yards in 2013 for the Raiders, and Colin Kaepernick who went 90 yards for San Francisco in 2014.
In 2015, Mariota threw for 19 touchdowns, which increased to 26 TDs in 2016, averaging 231 yards per game.
Even with a fair amount of offensive firepower, the Titans used two of their first three picks in the draft to address their need at WR to give Mariota more weapons. There are smiles all the way around entering Titans training camp, which began Saturday, July 29.
ABOUT SAINT THOMAS HEALTH
In Tennessee, Ascension’s Saint Thomas Health operates nine hospitals in addition to a comprehensive network of affiliated joint ventures, medical practices, clinics and rehabilitation facilities that cover a 68-county area and employ more than 8,000 associates.  Across the state, Saint Thomas Health provided more than $78 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2016.
Serving Tennessee for 15 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable.  Ascension is the largest non-profit health system in the U.S. and the world’s largest Catholic health system, operating 2,500 sites of care – including 141 hospitals and more than 30 senior living facilities – in 24 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.sthealth.com.