When Teams Come Together, Kids Win: Tennessee’s Pro Sports Join Forces with Every Child TN to Support Kids in Foster Care

In Tennessee, sports bring us together. Our teams remind us of what unity feels like. This fall, that same energy is being channeled into something bigger than the game: shining a light on children and families impacted by foster care. 

This year, the Tennessee Titans, Nashville Predators, Nashville SC, and Memphis Grizzlies announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with Every Child TN to support foster care awareness statewide. Together, the home teams are lending their voices, influence, and platforms to help Tennesseans understand the needs of children in care—and how each of us can play a role in building safe, nurturing homes. 

The message is simple but powerful:  

“Every Team for Every Child.”  

It’s more than a tagline. It’s a rallying cry that unites professional sports, communities, and families around a shared vision of hope for Tennessee’s children and families impacted by foster care. 

Every Team for Every Child Partnership is Rallying Community Members to Come Together to Show Support  

There are more than 8,000 children currently in Tennessee’s foster care system. Behind every number is a story: 

• A child who needs to know they are safe. 

• A teenager longing for stability. 

• A family working hard to heal. 

• A foster family in need of community support. 

• A social worker trying to make a real difference. 

Too often, these children, families, and workers feel invisible. Partnerships like this remind us they are not forgotten. They are at the heart of our communities—deserving of hope, dignity, and belonging. And while professional sports may focus on wins and losses, here the victory is measured in lives changed.  

What Makes This Partnership Unique? 

Hope. Each team represents perseverance, determination, and the belief that communities are stronger when they rally together. By linking arms with Every Child TN, these teams are showing children and families impacted by foster care that they are seen, valued, and never alone. 

As Kathleen Clancy, Director of Every Child TN explains: 

“Sports have a rare and powerful ability to bring people together. With this partnership, we can lift up those on the front lines — foster parents, social workers, nonprofits, and the children themselves — and show them that the entire state is behind them.” (Link) 

What Are Leaders Saying about Every Team for Every Child? 

Sports leaders across Tennessee are echoing this vision: 

• Chris Allen, President/COO of Boyd Sports (Knoxville Smokies): 
  “Partnering with Every Team For Every Child allows us to stand alongside foster families and children across Tennessee, using the platform of sports to bring awareness, hope, and meaningful impact.”  
   

• Rebecca King, VP of Community Relations, Nashville Predators: 
  “We have been supporting the foster care community from the very beginning… We are excited to partner with Every Child TN and all the Tennessee sports teams for this new statewide initiative.” 
   

• Johari Matthews, VP & Executive Director of ONE Community and the Tennessee Titans Foundation: 
  “Partnering with Every Child TN reflects our commitment to building stronger communities and ensuring every child feels seen, supported, and valued.” 
   

• Derrall Stalvey, SVP of Strategy, Chattanooga Football Club: 
  “We’re proud to stand alongside professional teams across the state to support children and families impacted by foster care.”  

How Can You Join the Team? 

You don’t need a jersey to be part of this movement. Every Tennessean has a role to play: 

• Learn about fostering – Explore what it takes to become a foster parent and open your home and heart to a child. 

• Volunteer your time – Mentor, deliver meals, or support families in practical ways. 

• Share the story – Spread awareness online with #EveryChildTN. 

Learn more about how to get involved → Start Here  
 

What If You’re Unsure About Fostering? 

For many, foster care feels important but overwhelming. Maybe you’ve met a foster parent, seen stories in the news and social media, volunteered with children in care, or even grown up knowing someone who fostered. It’s natural to wonder: 

• Could I do that? 

• Where would I even start? 

• What if I’m not ready right now? 

These questions are real—and you’re not alone in asking them. 

That’s where Every Child TN comes in. We exist to walk alongside you, whether you’re simply curious, beginning to explore, or ready to apply for certification. 

Here’s what we want you to know: 

• Fostering is for everyday people. Families, couples, and single adults can all provide stability and care. 

• Support is available. From training to ongoing resources, you’ll never be alone in the process. 

• You don’t need to have it all figured out. What matters is your willingness to learn and your openness to consider. 

At Every Child TN, we help connect everyday people to local opportunities that support children and families impacted by foster care—whether that’s volunteering or learning more about becoming a foster parent. We’re here to help!  

Because when you take one small step, a child takes a giant step toward belonging. 💖 

👉 Ready to explore what fostering or volunteering could look like for you? Learn more and take the next step at EveryChildTN.org.