Report: Titans, Downing may have violated NFL alcohol policy

Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Todd Downing watches the team warm up before facing the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Report: Titans, Todd Downing may have violated NFL alcohol policy ahead of DUI arrest

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 11/18/22

There's a new twist in the story involving Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Todd Downing getting arrested early Friday morning for driving under the influence and speeding.

"There is a policy that prohibits alcohol on team planes or buses," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio via email.

The Titans improved to 7-3 on the season via a "Thursday Night Football" win at the Green Bay Packers. Florio noted that "it appears that the (Titans') team plane landed at 2:11 a.m. CT at the Nashville airport," but that doesn't necessarily prove Downing consumed alcohol during the flight and/or on a team bus.

Downing was reportedly arrested shortly after 4 a.m. local time. ESPN's Turron Davenport said that Downing posted bail at 6:46 a.m.

"We have been in contact with the Titans regarding the matter which will be reviewed," McCarthy continued in his email. "All league and club personnel, including coaches, are subject to potential discipline when a violation is determined to have been committed."

For what it's worth, the Washington Commanders recently went viral via a video that clearly showed beer on their team plane following a victory:

Taylor Heinicke post W rocking the chains, glasses but wins with the Busch Light (Whadddd?) @PatMcAfeeShow pic.twitter.com/OiAfpK73ml
— Danny Favret (@Danny_Favret) November 15, 2022

In a statement shared by Florio, the Titans confirmed they, "are aware of the reports regarding Todd Downing and are in the process of gathering additional information." Titans head coach Mike Vrabel later said he'd addressed the matter with Downing, Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk, general manager Jon Robinson, and NFL officials.

Vrabel couldn't reveal much more because it's an ongoing legal and NFL situation.

"I will say however that we all have a great responsibility as members of this community as coaches, players of this organization, as fathers and husbands and teammates to make great decisions and we understand that," Vrabel remarked, according to Davenport.

It's unclear if Tennessee plans to get ahead of the NFL and punish Downing in any way. The Titans have some extra time to think it over, as they don't play again until their Week 12 home game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 27.

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