Titans TEs Tommy Hudson, Anthony Firkser Spent…

Officials say residents of Kentucky counties where the tornadoes killed dozens of people could be without heat, water or electricity in frigid temperatures for weeks or longer.

At least 88 people — including 74 in Kentucky — were killed by the tornado outbreak. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear called the storm was the “most severe tornado event in Kentucky’s history.” Mayfield, a town of roughly 10,000, appears to have suffered the brunt of it. The storm leveled the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory, where more than 100 people were working, and many were killed there.

Hudson, who initially signed with the Titans as an undrafted free agent from Arizona State, played in five games for the Titans this season before suffering the ankle injury.

Hudson made the drive to Mayfield on Sunday by himself, and he said he did what he could to help any way he could.

Firkser volunteered to join him on Tuesday, and they had a jam-packed day.

Hudson and Firkser went to Costco on Monday and loaded up Hudson’s truck with two generators, food and water, batteries, diapers and wipes. Dream Center gave them supplies as well, from tarps to gloves, to First Aid kits.

Hudson and Firkser dropped some of the supplies off at Catalyst Church in Mayfield. The Titans teammates delivered goods, and some Titans shirts and hats, while lifting spirits. They also spent part of the day in Paducah, Ky., where many of the residents of Mayfield are now living in hotel rooms – their property in garbage bags — since their homes were destroyed.

Titans tight ends coach Luke Steckel, after learning of Hudson’s efforts, said he wasn’t surprised. At the time, Steckel wasn’t aware of the fact Firkser used his day off on Tuesday to help as well.

“He is a special person, and he is always thinking of what he can do to help others,” Steckel said of Hudson. “Him going up to Kentucky and lending a helping hand doesn’t surprise me one bit. To go up there and bring awareness to that area, it was a tragedy. Far too many lives were lost, there’s been countless destruction all over that state.

“But he is committed to serving those around him. It makes me proud to be his coach, and to know him, that he would take that opportunity to go up and help our neighbors in need in Kentucky. It speaks to his maturity, his selflessness, and how he is not just as a football player but as a citizen.”

Hudson said he and Firkser probably got the most satisfaction from putting smiles on the faces of those devastated by the storms.

The NFL players spent time with the Mayfield High football team, and coaching staff.

When they handed them Titans gear, they lit up, he said.

“The supplies we brought, it obviously is going to help,’ Hudson said. “But the experience of just being there for them to lift them up, to take their minds off of everything they’ve been though, that was the coolest part. It was nice to be a positive in a dark times in their lives.”