Titans WR Corey Davis honors brother by playing day after his death: 'That’s my biggest fan'
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis knew he had to take the field Thursday night, a day after his brother, Titus, died. That’s what his older brother would have wanted him to do.
Titus, a former record-setting Central Michigan star, died Wednesday after a months-long battle with renal medullary carcinoma, a rare form of kidney cancer. He was 27 and is survived by two sons.
Corey Davis, 25, was emotional at the start of Thursday night’s 34-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts at home. After the game he explained the feelings he had throughout the night.
Titans’ Corey Davis honors brother by playing
Davis, the No. 5 overall draft pick in the 2017 draft, said he played to honor his brother’s wishes.
.@TheCDavis84 on playing in #Colts-#Titans Thursday night after his brother Titus died Wednesday morning. pic.twitter.com/p8h1EHTw0Y
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) November 13, 2020
“It’s definitely tough,” Davis said. “As he was laying there all he kept telling my sister was to tell me to play, regardless of what happens. He just kept telling me to play, telling me to play throughout the whole process.
“That’s my biggest fan. Since I was a little kid I was always chasing after him and trying to be like him. I wore his number every year to copy him. He thought it was annoying, but I looked up to him tremendously. That was my idol, my hero. I tried to honor him tonight.”
Corey Davis caught five of six targets for 67 yards on Thursday night. An early catch helped set up the Titans’ opening touchdown drive.
Yesterday, Corey Davis lost his brother who was battling cancer. Tonight, Corey is on the field and helped set up the @Titans opening TD drive.
(via @thecheckdown) pic.twitter.com/Hg67E3Rptg— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 13, 2020
Davis brothers wear No. 84 with record results
Wearing the No. 84 at Central Michigan, Titus Davis became the first player in NCAA FBS history to score eight or more receiving touchdowns in each of his four seasons. He graduated in 2014 with 3,700 career receiving yards and 37 career receiving touchdowns. They’re both school records, breaking marks set by Antonio Brown.
Corey Davis wore No. 84 at Western Michigan and became the all-time leading receiver in FBS history with 5,285 yards. He’s the only player in FBS history with at least 300 catches, 5,000 receiving yards and 50 touchdowns. He also wears the No. 84 with the Titans.
“It was heavy on my mind, every play,” Corey Davis said. “But I just kept thinking this is what he wanted me to do. He wouldn’t want me to be sad and sulk and feel sorry for myself. I obviously miss him and wish he was here, but I know he’s in a better place and that he was with me today.”
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