The Tennessee Titans might have come up short on Sunday, but their inspired performance surprised many. The Titans were significant underdogs, and after another shocking week, when they traded their emotional leader, All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, to the Chicago Bears, it appeared that the wood shed was on the horizon.
Instead, the Titans game out and went toe-to-toe with the AFC North leaders, pushing them into overtime, and fans saw something they hadn’t seen: the defensive line wearing red sleeves in honor of the leader.
After the game, defensive tackle Solomon Thomas spoke about the gesture and the lasting legacy Simmons has left.
The @Titans d-linemen wore red sleeves to honor @GrindSimmons94. @SollyThomas90 explains why. pic.twitter.com/gkmBYPqNlI
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) November 1, 2026
“We just wanted to follow him because Jeffery means the world to us. We love Jeff. He’s a huge part of our room, and he’s impacted all of us in ways he doesn’t even know. The way he created a bond in the D-line room, the standard, the tenacity he plays with — we wanted to do something to honor him and to let him know he’s still a part of us even though he’s not there.”
There is no doubt that Tennessee missed their defensive leader and heartbeat, and his loss was felt on and off the field. And while the team came up short, many positive signs emerged from this contest. No one will singularly replace Simmons in the defensive front, but as a group, they can grow into a solid unit.
There’s no doubt Simmons was watching, and their show of gratitude for his impact will likely not be forgotten anytime soon.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Titans defensive linemen honored Jeffery Simmons with red sleeves
