Kevin Mawae joins Tennessee Titans

Perennial All Pro Center Kevin Mawae signed earlier this week with the Tennessee Titans. Mawae will be an intergal part of Offensive Coordinator Norm Chow's offense. Depending on how the NFL Draft goes--Mawae could be a Center for Chow's former Quarterback at USC Matt Leinart. Mawae is one of two Hawaiians on the Titans roster alongside Travis Laboy of the University of Hawai'i.

Titans agree to terms with Jets Pro Bowl center Mawae

NASHVILLE, TN, March 14, 2006 – The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms on a multi-year contract with a third unrestricted free agent, former New York Jets center Kevin Mawae.

Mawae brings 12 years of NFL experience and six Pro Bowl selections to the Titans. He spent the last eight seasons with the Jets after playing four years with the Seattle Seahawks. With 180 career games and 177 starts, the only player currently on the Titans roster with more experience is punter Craig Hentrich, who has played in 192 games in 13 seasons.

In 2005, Mawae started six games before suffering a torn tricep in his left arm. The injury, which was the first of his career that took him out of the lineup, forced him to be placed on injured reserve October 31 and ended a consecutive streak of 177 games played. It also ended his run of six consecutive Pro Bowl selections.

During his Jets career, the 6-foot-4, 289-pound center helped Jets running backs to 44 100-yard games and paved the way for Curtis Martin to become the NFL’s fourth all-time leading rusher. Martin eclipsed the 1,000-yard barrier in seven of the eight seasons since Mawae joined the Jets in 1998.

Mawae was originally selected out of Louisiana State University by the Seahawks in the second round (36th overall) of the 1994 draft. As a rookie, he played in 14 games with 11 starts at right guard. He started all 16 games at right guard in his second year, then moved to the center position at the start of his third season and has remained at that spot ever since.

The 35-year-old from Leesville, La., was a decorated member of the community during his time in New York. In 2005, he won the team’s Marty Lyons Award for Community Service and the team’s Man of the Year award. He spent tremendous effort in his home state of Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina devastated the area, quickly organizing a food and supplies drive to benefit Feed the Children. He also maintained his involvement in the “Kevin Mawae First and Goal Challenge,” a program in which he raised money and made frequent visits to Winthrop University Hospital’s Child Life Program.

Mawae became the third unrestricted free agent to agree to terms with the Titans in two days. He joins former Indianapolis Colts linebacker David Thornton and former New England Patriots wide receiver David Givins.

Rest of article from Tennessee Titans website