NASHVILLE – Brett Kern’s footwear have been stuffed. That was the straightforward half.

Changing his voice and his presence is one other matter altogether.

The three-time Professional Bowler was greater than only a punter throughout his 12-plus seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He was additionally a pundit, an professional in issues associated to religion and Christianity, not less than within the eyes of his teammates.

In recent times, it was Kern, the longest-tenured participant of the Titans period (1999-present), who led a short prayer session previous to video games. Thus, the choice by franchise officers this week to launch him in favor of rookie Ryan Stonehouse has created a gap that has but to be stuffed.

“It’s a giant accountability as a result of Kern did nice each single weekend,” security Kevin Byard mentioned. “Guys appeared ahead to that. … It’s not essentially a pump-up session or something like that. Actually, it’s a reminder earlier than the sport that on the finish of the day we’re going out right here to glorify Christ and glorify God. It’s type of simply to get in a small phrase earlier than we exit on the sphere.”

The periods happen following the pregame warmup. Those that take part collect within the bathe for a number of moments to mirror, to specific gratitude and to pursue a way of peace forward of the bodily and psychological challenges that happen all through an NFL contest.

Over time, Kern’s position because the facilitator and the main target of these moments was unquestioned.

“Kern was undoubtedly a task mannequin, a man we relied on in religion,” middle Ben Jones mentioned. “If we had questions, he was a man that we got here to. He walked that stroll day-after-day.”

Added Byard: “He’s helped me so much with my stroll. … He’s been a mentor to me, an amazing buddy.”

Byard and Jones are thought of the most certainly replacements for Kern in that regard. Each have been crew captains, so the respect they command from all corners and constituencies of the locker room already is unquestioned.

Plus, every has been with the Titans since 2016. Solely deal with Taylor Lewan has been on the roster longer.

Byard says he’s keen to cede the job to Jones, who has been within the league longer, and possibly prep to take it one in future seasons.

The truth that there isn’t a apparent successor, although, probably speaks to only how efficient and impactful Kern was in that quiet time forward of kickoff. You by no means need to observe a legend. Stonehouse would be the one who has to verify Tennessee doesn’t miss Kern on the sphere. Another person should take his place for these quiet moments within the bathe.

“We’ve got a number of guys who can step in and try this position,” Jones mentioned. “So, we’ll determine it out and make it work.”

What’s sure is that Kern’s departure won’t trigger those that worshipped with him earlier than they lined up alongside of him on all these Sundays to stray from that routine now that he’s gone.

“It’s one thing that I at all times look ahead to since you come again from the pre-game warmup type of amped up,” Byard mentioned. “Then, prayer within the bathe is type of a time to chill down and do some reflecting.”

Mentioned Jones: “Most of our video games are on Sunday. We’re not in a position to go to church on that day. So, it’s giving the Lord his time, to thank Him for what it means to be within the NFL. We wouldn’t be there with out Him. So, it’s only a peace of thoughts since you’re giving again grace proper there. And for me it’s a mindset.

“I do know after we are saying that prayer, it’s time to go to work.”