NASHVILLE — Darrell Belcher received the first phone call a few days after the Tennessee Titans' annual caravan stop in Chattanooga this past May. Someone in the organization had read about Belcher's son Blake being first in line for the players' autographs and wanted to learn more.

The 25-year-old who has dealt with both cerebral palsy and cancer had never had a chance to see his football heroes play in person. The Titans, especially coach Mike Mularkey and general manager Jon Robinson, were determined to change that.

"We've been in contact probably every week since then," Darrell said.

On Saturday evening, with the Titans practicing in front of season-ticket holders at Nissan Stadium, that contact turned face-to-face, hand-to-hand, hug-to-hug. Darrell, Blake, Blake's mom Misty Murphy, his stepmom Elizabeth Belcher and his brother Taylor were all guests of the franchise.

"I'm glad you're all here," Mularkey greeted the group not long after they arrived. "I've got some coaching meetings, but I'll be back soon."

By the time he returned 30 minutes later, his assistant, Kristen Sheft, and the organization's Carly Mygrants were ushering the Belcher clan to meet-and-greets with quarterback Marcus Mariota, defensive lineman Jurrell Casey, defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau and a second chat with Mularkey.

"I think I'm going to cry," Murphy said as Mariota shook Blake's hand, posed for pictures with the group, signed a poster and a football, then said, "Have some fun today, OK?"

Then it was Casey's turn to put his arm around Blake, sign the football and the poster and tell the Belchers, "Guys, thank you so much for coming out."

When they next met Mularkey and Blake excitedly talked of his time with Mariota, the coach burst into a grin and exclaimed, "Holy cow! This is your lucky night."

After the coach signed more items for Blake and posed for more pictures, he added, "Again, we're so glad you're here, and we're going to try to put on a good show for you."

And had it ended there, if the Belchers had been ushered to seats in the stands and been thanked for coming, the night still would have been unforgettable for Blake, who when asked his favorite Titans player, emphatically answered, "All of them."

But the fun was just beginning. The field passes the Belchers and Murphy were given before the workout were good for the entire practice, which meant Blake — dressed head-to-toe in Titans gear — could stand as close to the action as any coach or Titan not playing during the scrimmage segments.