By : Sabri Haidar
( Photo / Rodney Cofield )
NASHVILLE, Tenn. On a day meant to honor the sacrifices of America’s military, the Tennessee Titans fell 23 to 13 to the Minnesota Vikings at Nissan Stadium. The loss dropped Tennessee to 2 and 8, extending a frustrating stretch defined by missed opportunities and controversial officiating. Yet even in defeat, cornerback Darrell Baker Jr. stood out, making his presence felt both on and off the field.
Baker’s Salute to Service Connection
For Baker Jr., the NFL’s annual Salute to Service campaign was more than a league wide initiative. It was personal. Both of his parents are retired members of the United States Army, and the lessons they instilled in him carried into his career as a professional athlete.
“I think about them every day,” Baker Jr. said. “Their service taught me what it means to give everything for something bigger than yourself. That is what I try to bring to the game every time I step on the field.”
Baker contributed with steady coverage in the secondary and set an example of resilience that mirrored the discipline his parents modeled throughout their military careers. His effort became a bright spot for Tennessee on a day when little else went right.
A Game Defined by Controversy
The Titans opened with a 30 yard Nick Folk field goal after Jeffery Simmons recovered a fumble. Minnesota quickly responded as Sam Darnold found Jordan Addison for a 47 yard touchdown. From there, penalties and officiating shaped the contest.
Late in the first half, safety Mike Brown broke up a pass to Addison in the end zone on fourth down, seemingly giving Tennessee the stop it needed. Instead, officials flagged Brown for unnecessary roughness, calling helmet to chest contact on a defenseless receiver. The penalty extended the drive, and Darnold scored on a one yard sneak to make it 13 to 3.
Head coach Brian Callahan was furious. “I saw a hit that was level with the shoulder pads to the body. That is what I saw,” Callahan said. “Our players have every right to be frustrated, and they should be. They fought all game long but those moments make it very hard to overcome.”
The Titans finished with 13 penalties for 91 yards while the Vikings had only three penalties for 35 yards. Among the infractions was an illegal formation that erased a 51 yard touchdown pass from Will Levis to Calvin Ridley.
Levis Shows Flashes but Titans Stumble
Quarterback Will Levis completed 17 of 31 passes for 295 yards with one touchdown and one interception. His highlight came in the third quarter with a 98 yard bomb to Nick Westbrook Ikhine, tying for the longest reception in franchise history. However, five sacks and multiple erased plays kept Tennessee from capitalizing on momentum.
“We feel like we are preparing the right way and playing our hearts out,” Levis said. “At some point things will shake in our favor. Right now we just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.”
Beyond the Scoreboard
Though the Titans were left disappointed again, the afternoon was about more than the standings. Salute to Service Sunday spotlighted the sacrifices of servicemen and women, including the family of Darrell Baker Jr. His performance, fueled by the values passed down from his parents, reminded everyone that resilience and dedication extend far beyond the playing field.