Why new Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard made Memphis mental health summit a priority

Tony Pollard was on a tight schedule. The former Dallas Cowboys turned Tennessee Titans running back was making a quick stop in Memphis, and it was important for him to attend a mental health summit.

Pollard stopped by the Bend Dxnt Break Athletes Summit on Saturday afternoon at Hope Church. He was joined by keynote speaker C.L. Shepherd and notable Memphis celebrities, former Grizzlies player Tony Allen and rapper Project Pat.

The group spoke to Memphis-area high school students on Saturday. The two-day event started on Friday. Nearly 500 students across the Memphis area attended the events, coming from high schools such as Whitehaven, KIPP, Manassas, Germantown, ECS, Oakhaven, Houston and Briarcrest.

“Just being able to talk to the youth, I’m just trying to make sure they’re going down the right path and got their heads on right,” Pollard, a former Memphis football and Melrose standout, told The Commercial Appeal.

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Shepherd, who goes around the country speaking at engagements similar to two-day summit, wanted to empathize with the students as someone who struggled with mental health as a teenager.

For Project Pat, Saturday was about continuing to show up and let his voice be heard around Memphis where he can leave an impact. Allen has increased his presence at these type of events in Memphis over the past few months.

“I love to target areas in need, because at one point, I was that person,” Allen told The Commercial Appeal. “Growing up, I had a lot of issues that I thought was normal. That’s what I want to do. Change the community norm.”

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Multiple students at Hope Church attended in Dallas Cowboys No. 20 Pollard jerseys. After Pollard signed with the Tennessee Titans, those jerseys are now throwbacks.

Pollard joined the Titans in March, putting him closer to his Memphis roots. While Pollard said he made a business decision in going from Dallas to Nashville, he called being closer to home “the icing on the cake.” Playing less than three hours from Memphis impacted his decision.

“I’ve been enjoying it. I’ve been able to come home a lot more, see my family, kids get to play with their cousins and things like that,” Pollard said.

Being close to home also means Pollard can keep a closer eye on the Tigers football team.

“Ever since I’ve been there, it’s been a good program,” Pollard said. “Every year, they’re getting guys in the league, so they’re definitely in the right direction.”