NORFOLK, Mass. — Titans fan Erron Kinney is hard to miss.
The former Sherborn Fire Chief started the same position in Norfolk just a month ago.
"He's a very big guy so, a little intimidating as he walked in," Norfolk firefighter Jack Kelley said of his first impression.
Kinney used his 6-foot, 5-inch frame blocking and catching passes for the Tennessee Titans in the early 2000s.
Football was career one, but being a firefighter was always in mind.
LAST TIME @Patriots played (defeated) @Titans in the playoffs,"I lost a bet to the Foxboro fire chief and had to wear a Foxboro fire shirt with the Patriots logo on it," said @ekinney88 , Norfolk's new Fire Chief.
— Evan White (@EvanWhiteIII) January 2, 2020
His feelings on FF, WC game @ 6 @boston25 (pic 1 courtesy @Titans pic.twitter.com/VkpUmSEkTa
"It's something that I've been passionate about and involved in many years," Kinney said.
He may have been the new boss but there's been a lot of back in forth in Norfolk over this weekend's AFC playoff game.
“I take some heat,” Kinney said.
Former @Titans TE now turned Norfolk Fire Chief has a rooting interest in this weekend’s #WildCard match up. @EvanWhiteIII has the story tonight at 6:45 #TitanUp #titans #TENvsNE #WildCardWeekend @boston25 pic.twitter.com/4SvL1iFVos
— x-Chetan Rakieten (@chetanrakieten) January 2, 2020
As you look at the different lockers and firefighters' coats with names on the back, you think about the similarities between football and firefighting. Chief Kinney says another huge one is the aspect of teamwork.
"Having a group of people working together towards a common goal," Kinney remarked.
He is proud of his playing career and confident in this year's Titans.
"The way the Titans are playing right now is going to give the Patriots some fits," Kinney said.
Football is close to his heart, though firefighting delivers something the NFL cannot.
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