October 28, 2015

It’s no secret Mercy Founder and President Nancy Alcorn is an avid football fan. Alcorn grew up in SEC country and has stayed true to that deep football indoctrination, even finding ways to blend her love of the game with her passion to help hurting young women.

Walk a few steps into Mercy’s corporate headquarters in Nashville, and you’ll find a blue room dedicated to the Tennessee Titans, who under Coach Jeff Fisher’s leadership became huge supporters of Mercy’s work and mission. Throughout the room you can see signed jerseys and helmets of some of the best Titans players, including recent additions from Marcus Mariota and Delanie Walker. Though Fisher has since moved on to coach the St. Louis Rams, Mercy’s love and devotion remain strong for the Titans and has grown to include the Rams through Mercy’s enduring friendship with Coach Fisher and his entire family.

Jeff and Juli Fisher are longtime supporters of Mercy. When with the Titans, the Fishers personally made a very generous donation to Mercy each time the Titans brought home a victory. The Fishers have continued their support of Mercy in St. Louis through the annual Jeff Fisher & Friends Charity Softball Game.

This week, Nashville and St. Louis Mercy residents and staff were treated to special events that involved both the Rams and Titans. On Sunday, Coach Fisher invited the St. Louis staff and residents to the Rams’ game at Edward Jones Dome. The Mercy group enjoyed the outing and cheering Coach Fisher and the Rams to their 24-6 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

On Monday, Titans’ tight end Delanie Walker visited the Nashville home for a pizza party with the Nashville residents. He shared with the residents about his life journey and the hardships he overcame to get to the NFL. The Mercy residents were so inspired at how Walker rose above the impoverished neighborhoods of Pomona, California, where he grew up and now not only plays in the NFL, but also helps inner city kids in similar situations through his charitable foundation, Delanie Walker Gives Back.

Here’s what a few of the Mercy girls had to say about Walker’s visit:

It was cool to have Delanie here. I liked hearing his heart for the hurting kids. I liked that he used his story to make a difference. — Kaylee

Tonight was really an inspiration to me. I was amazed that Delanie came from a place where it seemed like he wouldn’t really get anywhere, and he became a football player and helps kids who have to go through the same type of stuff he went through…  He inspired me that no matter where you’ve come from, you can still do incredible things. –Sarah

It was really cool to see someone who overcame his struggle and then use that to better the lives of others also. It was pretty awesome for him to take time out of his day to come and eat with us and talk with us. The humility he possesses is inspiring—to never lose sight of where you came from and have compassion for other s who are still struggling through the process.—Hope

Mercy is grateful for the support of game-changers like Coach Fisher and Delanie Walker!

Go Rams! Go Titans!