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What ‘CJ2K’ means and how it got former Titans RB Chris Johnson into Tennessee Sports HOF

Published

2 years ago

July 21, 2024

What ‘CJ2K’ means and how it got former Titans RB Chris Johnson into Tennessee Sports HOF

Former Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson was asked on the red carpet at the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony Saturday night if it was OK to still call him CJ2K?

“It will always be OK to call me that,” he said with a big smile.

Johnson acquired the rhythmic moniker 15 years ago after accomplishing a remarkable feat that has been done by just seven other NFL players. He rushed for more than 2,000 yards in the 2009 season on the way to being named the NFL offensive player of the year and an All-Pro.

Such a rare achievement went a long way in helping Johnson become the youngest member of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame 2024 class, and at 38, one of the youngest ever enshrined.

“Going into that last game knowing how many yards I needed to get 2,000 and going into that meeting with coach Jeff Fisher, the whole coaching staff, the whole entire team was behind me,” Johnson said at the Omni Nashville Hotel. “They had my back. Everybody was doing everything in their power so I could break 2,000 yards.”

Johnson, who never hid his desire to be an NFL megastar, crossed the 2,000-yard plateau at 2,006 after rushing for 134 yards on 36 carries in a 17-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks. He had broken Earl Campbell’s single-season franchise record for rushing yards (1,934) in the first half.

Johnson gathered on the field after the game with his offensive linemen, fellow running back LenDale White and running backs coach Earnest Byner for a photo to mark the memorable occasion. He later purchased watches with “2000-Yard Season” engraved on them for the starting offensive linemen and tight end Alge Crumpler.

The Buffalo Bills’ O.J. Simpson was the first player to rush for 2,000 yards when he did it in 1973. Derrick Henry is the most recent to do it, in 2020, making the Titans the only team to have two 2,000-yard rushers.

The franchise has long been known for producing outstanding running backs, and Johnson said he was honored to be among the best in that group. With 7,965 career yards, he is the franchise’s fourth all-time leading rusher behind Eddie George (10,009), Henry (9,502) and Campbell (8,574).

CHRIS JOHNSON HEADLINES HALL OF FAME: Titans Chris Johnson, Predators Pekka Rinne top Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies

TITANS SNUBBED BY ESPN: Which Tennessee Titans made ESPN NFL top-10 position rankings and who was snubbed

“You see it on the internet all the time, questions like, ‘Who’s got the best running backs of all-time as a franchise?’ ” Johnson said. “When you’ve got guys like Earl Campbell, Eddie George, Derrick Henry and myself, I feel like we’re the best. To be amongst that group is amazing.”

Johnson said he is close to those three players, as well as with White. Johnson and White established themselves as “Smash and Dash,” and Johnson is quick to give White credit for helping him be as productive as he was on the field.

“C.J. is my best friend, but more than that he’s like a brother. He’s family,” said White, who attended Johnson’s induction ceremony. “I’m amazed to see where he took his life. I’m blessed and I’m thankful to be his friend. I don’t see how I couldn’t have been here tonight when you look back at our time on the field — Smash and Dash, the combo.”

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.

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TN Lottery Cash 3 Evening, Cash 4 Evening winning numbers for March 8, 2026

Published

10 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

The Tennessee Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 8, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Cash 3 numbers from March 8 drawing

Evening: 1-8-7, Wild: 8

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from March 8 drawing

Evening: 1-0-9-7, Wild: 7

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily Tennessee Jackpot numbers from March 8 drawing

10-19-30-33-35

Check Daily Tennessee Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 8 drawing

01-31-32-45-52, Bonus: 05

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Tennessee Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.

For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Tennessee Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket, a copy of a government-issued ID and proof of social security number to P.O. Box 290636, Nashville, TN 37229. Prize claims less than $600 do not require a claim form. Please include contact information on prizes claimed by mail in the event we need to contact you.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID and proof of social security number to any of these locations:

Nashville Headquarters & Claim Center: 26 Century Blvd., Nashville, TN 37214, 615-254-4946 in the (615) and (629) area, 901-466-4946 in the (901) area, 865-512-4946 in the (865) area, 423-939-7529 in the (423) area or 1-877-786-7529 (all other areas in Tennessee). Outside Tennessee, dial 615-254-4946. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Knoxville District Office: Cedar Springs Shopping Center, 9298 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922, (865) 251-1900. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.

Chattanooga District Office: 2020 Gunbarrel Rd., Suite 106, Chattanooga, TN 37421, (423) 308-3610. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.

Memphis District Office: Chiles Plaza, 7424 U.S. Highway 64, Suite 104, Memphis, TN 38133, (901) 322-8520. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://tnlottery.com/.

When are the Tennessee Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
Cash4Life: 9:15 p.m. CT daily.
Cash 3, 4: Daily at 9:28 a.m. (Morning) and 12:28 p.m. CT (Midday), except for Sunday. Evening game daily, seven days a week, at 6:28 p.m. CT.
Daily Tennessee Jackpot: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Tennessee Cash: 10:34 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Powerball Double Play: 10:30 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Tennessean editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell Among Top Projected Fantasy Football Options in 2026 NFL Draft | Rocky Top Insider

Published

23 hours ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell Among Top Projected Fantasy Football Options in 2026 NFL Draft | Rocky Top Insider

Tennessee SEC Football — Photo via Tennessee Athletics

Tennessee football is set to send a handful of players from its 2025 roster to the NFL during this upcoming draft. However, one stands out as a potential breakout star for fantasy football players.

Wide receiver Chris Brazzell proved to be one of the top pass catchers in the SEC this past season, leading the conference in yards per game. Now, he’s widely projected as a second-round pick with the potential to even climb into the first round after a strong combine showing.

With the combine in the books and the draft coming up next month, ESPN ranked incoming rookies on their projected fantasy football output. He clocked in at No. 13 and the seventh-highest ranked receiver.

“Brazzell is a tall, perimeter receiver with a big wingspan who will do most of his damage down field (career 14.2 aDOT at Tennessee) and doesn’t offer much after the catch (class-worst 3.6 RAC),” ESPN’s Mike Clay wrote. “He has good speed (4.37 40-yard dash) and may settle in as a boom/bust low-volume, splash-play fantasy option.”

More From RTI: Three Tennessee Football Players Mocked in the First Two Rounds of NFL Draft by ESPN

Brazzell wrapped up his second season with Tennessee in 2025. In 12 games, he produced 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns on 62 receptions. He proved to be an elite deep-ball threat with Joey Aguilar at quarterback and Josh Heupel retooling the offensive scheme.

His best game came against Georgia at home. Brazzell recorded six receptions for 177 yards and three touchdowns in the game. He went over the 100-yard mark four times and over 90 yards five times.

Prior to that, Brazzell played two seasons at Tulane before transferring to join the Vols for their 2024 College Football Playoff campaign.

The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to begin on April 23 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. If Brazzell does fall outside the first round, he’d likely go the following day when rounds two and three are held. The remaining four rounds are the next day.

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Tennessee State beats Morehead State 93-67, wins first OVC Tournament title since ’94

Published

1 day ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee State beats Morehead State 93-67, wins first OVC Tournament title since ’94

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Antoine Lorick III scored 18 points, and top-seeded Tennessee State beat No. 2 seed Morehead State 93-67 on Saturday night for the Tigers’ first win in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament championship game since 1994.

Travis Harper II made five 3-pointers and finished with 17 points for Tennessee State (23-9), which shot 16 of 26 from long range. Dante Harris and Carlous Williams added 16 points apiece. Aaron Nkrumah chipped in with 14 points and six assists. Harris grabbed 11 of the Tigers’ 44 rebounds.

George Marshall scored 17 points and shot 4 of 9 from beyond the arc to lead Morehead State (20-13). Anouar Mellouk and Davion Cunningham added 12 points each.

The Tigers scored a Division-I program-record 55 points in the first half for a 21-point lead. Harris scored 16 points and shot 4 of 7 from deep. Harper added 15 points on five 3s. Marshall scored 12 first-half points for Morehead State.

TSU entered having won a program-best 15 conference games. The Tigers won back-to-back tournament titles in 1993 and 1994.

The teams split the regular-season series, each winning at home. Tennessee State won the first meeting 105-100 in overtime. Morehead State won the second 94-86.

___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

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