Tommy Smith retires from Titans

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Saturday, March 21, 2015

Tommy Smith announced Friday that he is retiring as the CEO and team president of the Tennessee Titans.

"It's a personal decision for me," Smith told The Tennessean. "I will be 64 in a few weeks, and I want to spend my energy where it's needed most."

Smith will be focusing on his job as president and chairman ofAdams Resources & Energy, a multibillion-dollar company based in Houston.

"While I dearly love the Titans and am proud of my active role with the franchise over many decades, I can't serve two big roles as effectively as I had hoped," Smith said in a statement. "My family, my long-term personal health and the ability to make sound daily decisions for two fine companies all came into play."

Smith, Bud Adams' son-in-law, took over shortly after the former team owner passed away in October 2013.

Longtime executive Steve Underwood, who retired in 2011, will rejoin the Titans on an interim basis and oversee the search for a new president.

In February, Smith sent out a letter to season-ticket holders vowing to turn the Titans, who finished 2-14 last season, into a winner.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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