Super Bowl hopes for the Tennessee Titans faded with the team’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card playoff game on January 10, but the football game began with a sense of hometown pride when six Metropolitan Nashville Police Department heroes were honored. Officers Tyler Luellen, Brenna Hosey, Michael Sipos, Amanda Topping and James Wells, plus Sergeant Timothy Miller, were invited by the NFL team to be the “Honorary 12th Titans” in recognition of their lifesaving actions on Christmas Day when a bomb detonated in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The group marked the countdown to kickoff with the traditional sword plunge into the field, and players’ “615 Strong” helmet decal was altered with a blue six to spotlight support for law enforcement professionals.

“While we can never thank these officers enough for their heroic acts, it is an absolute privilege to have the opportunity to honor them at the game on Sunday,” said Titans President and CEO Burke Nihill, reports Pro32.com.

On December 25, these Metro officers were the first on scene for a shots fired call near 2nd Avenue at approximately 5:30 a.m. A suspicious RV was spotted parked near the AT&T building, which was broadcasting warning messages of a bomb on board. The group of cops reacted instinctually to remove individuals out of the immediate area. When the RV exploded at 6:30 a.m. and killed the bomber, only three other people were injured thanks to their swift action.

Music City residents also expressed their gratitude. The I Believe in Nashville group painted a mural depicting the likeness of each of the six law enforcement professionals to function as a cover for one of the windows blown out in the explosion. The mural, entitled “I Believe in Heroes,” will be moved to the Hard Rock Cafe when the window is repaired as “a constant reminder of the heroism in Nashville,” according to WATE, an ABC affiliate.

The Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County unanimously voted to approve a resolution honoring the officers and conveyed appreciation for all first responders who worked the scene that day. Miller attended the meeting and told council members, “This is a tragic incident. I thank God I’m here with my family, and all my officers are OK. No [other] lives were lost that day. It’s been tremendous, and I thank everyone for their support and for this honor,” according to News Channel 5.