NASHVILLE — L’Jarius Sneed walked the halls of Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park for the first time Tuesday and he beamed with pride.

After agreeing to a huge new contract with the Titans following the team’s trade to the Chiefs, Sneed couldn’t help but reflect on his good fortune.

And on the road traveled.

“It’s a feeling I can’t explain,” said Sneed, whose six-year-old son and mother were experiencing the experience alongside him. “I tried not to cry, but I just thought about how lucky I was. To be able to give my children this experience is something I wish I had when I was a child. I’m so happy May God have made me a vessel for my children to see.”

Sneed came to Tennessee after having a lot of success with the Chiefs.

In Kansas City, he won two Suρer Bowl rings and became one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL.

It was there that he was able to give back to those around him for the first time after going through a difficult childhood when nothing was easy. Sneed managed to overcome it all, a childhood in which both his parents were imprisoned and difficult times where he tried to find his way, under the guidance of his brothers.

After being introduced as the new Titan on Tuesday, Sneed reflected on his life experiences and how much he wants to change things going forward.

“I wanted things to be different,” Sneed said. “I even sat down with my family and had a family meeting to talk about how I wanted to make things better. ‘I want this, I want that. I don’t want it to be this way.’ ‘ It’s about breaking the cycle. I want to break that cycle for my family, for the generational curses. And I thank God for allowing me to be that person who changes his life.

Sneed achieves this by living, with perseverance and faith.

After playing high school football in Minden, Louisiana, Sneed didn’t receive offers from big schools because he wanted to play at the next level.

“Louisiana Tech, Grambling, Southern, Alabama State, Nichols State,” Sneed said, “and that’s it.”

Sneed chose Louisiana Tech, where he made the transition from receiver to defensive back.

“My first year of college, 2016, I would say it was Һell,” Sneed said with a laugh. “We had two days, it was my first time on defense. There was a lot of new stuff. But I found my way.”

After playing at Louisiana Tech, Sneed wasn’t sure what was next, but he was thinking about the NFL.

Sneed said he received a “late invitation” to the NFL Combine, where he had the opportunity to showcase his talent.

The Chiefs ultimately drafted him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft and he earned All-Rookie honors from the Pro Football Writers’ Association of America in his first season in the NFL.

In 57 games (54 starts) over four seasons (2020-23) with the City Chiefs, Sneed totaled 303 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 10 interceptions, 40 passes defensed, 4 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries. He has developed a reputation as one of the most promising defensive players in the league.

When the Chiefs gave him the franchise tag last month, the Titans targeted him and ultimately traded for him.

“I’m certainly living proof that if you put in the work, it doesn’t matter where you come from or what school you went to,” Sneed said. “If you stay close to God, everything will happen according to His will. »

In addition to his accomplishments on the field, Sneed has also done some pretty interesting things in Kansas City.

After his rookie season, he bought his mother, Jane, a four-bedroom house in Minden, Louisiana.

A year ago, he surprised her with a new car: a black Audi.

Since his second year in the NFL, Sneed has also raised more than $35,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

“Children in need, adopt children,” he explained. “If they need prom dresses, other things. I wish I had that when I was younger, someone to help me, because my parents weren’t there when I was younger.

“For me, it’s a blessing to be the son of the family, to be able to take care of my family and help them to have a better situation, and to be able to help those who are in need.”

On the field, Sneed plans to reward the Titans with his аggressive play.

The 6-foot-1, 192-pound athlete is talented and confident.

“Confidence, resilience, and toughness,” Sneed said of what he brings to the Titans. “I’m a good player. I love my game. I’m not afraid of anything. I’m not afraid of losing, but I will win most of my reps.”

Off the field, he plans to continue showing the way for his family.

In addition to his son Kyson, Sneed also has a two-month-old daughter named Kaimira.

Young Kyson agreed when asked about his father’s new team when he arrived at the Titans facility this week, having provided some humor for his father during the trade.

“He said to me: Dad, why did (the chiefs) eliminate you?” » Sneed said with a smile. “At six years old, he knows what’s going on. But he likes the (Titans) logo and the colors. Now he has a new team, a new family.”

Dad too.

And he’s ready to start his new chapter, in Tennessee.

“A new team, a new town to raise my kids in,” Sneed said. “I can’t wait to see what Nashville has to offer for me and my family.”