Aside from having new additions to their lineup, the Tennessee Titans will also welcome another new face once the 2021 NFL season begins. That new face is Matt Rogers, a television host and a one-time American Idol contestant, who is set to become the Titansâ new stadium public address announcer.
Rogers beat out more than 200 applicants for the job, including several veteran professional sports public address announcers. The 42-year-old will be replacing Mike âThe Dukeâ Donegan, who will step down as the Titansâ public address announcer after 22 seasons. He has big shoes to fill, but he is up to the task, and is even intent on continuing a team tradition made famous by his predecessor.
Donegan used to do the âthird down growlâ to fire up the crowd to hype up the Titans defense, and Rogers says that he plans to do his own version of it.
âItâs gonna be big, it'll respect what the Duke did and also kick it up 75 notches,â Rogers told Brad Schmitt of The Tennessean. âWeâre not gonna give up any first downs anymore!â
Aside from being a fan of the Titans, Rogers also has professional football experience, serving as a lineman on the 2001 Rose Bowl champion Washington Huskies. Rogers also remains a television personality outside of his stint on American Idol, as he previously hosted Discovery Channelâs âGold Rushâ and âDeadliest Catch: The Bait.â
But more than his other hosting experiences, it is being the Titansâ announcer that Rogers is looking forward to.
âItâs my hometown, itâs my home team,â Rogers said. âThis gig is not about me. This is about our fans and about our town. I want to represent the fans well.â