[/av_textblock] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” custom_class=”] December 9, 2010
Al Cecere practices with Challenger, a bald eagle who will fly into LP Field during the National Anthem before tonight’s Titans-Colts game. (GEORGE WALKER IV / THE TENNESSEAN)
Titans quarterback Kerry Collins and Colts quarterback Peyton Manning aren’t the only ones hoping to put on impressive aerial shows tonight at LP Field.
Before either player takes a snap, ‘Challenger,’ the popular bald eagle named in honor of the lost space shuttle crew, will soar over the field during the playing of the national anthem.
The majestic bird, whose home is in Tennessee, has become an international icon for his free flights at ceremonies, sporting events, concerts and as a guest on national television shows.
“Challenger is the first eagle in U.S. history to make a free flight into the stands,” said Al Cecere, who created the American Eagle Foundation while living in Nashville in 1985 and moved it to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge in 1991.
Challenger was in heavy demand soon after the 9/11 attacks, but now routinely makes only two trips a month from September-May. He has the summer off to go through his feather molt.
“Challenger is always a big hit with fans, and how can he not be when you see the symbol of America come soaring down from atop the stadium at LP Field?” said Ralph Ockenfels, vice president of marketing for the Titans. “It gives nearly 70,000 fans including myself chill bumps to see that happen. It is awe-inspiring.”
Challenger’s high-flying celebrity is something Cecere envisioned not long after becoming aware of the eagle 23 years ago.
At 5 weeks old, Challenger was blown from his nest in a storm in Louisiana. After rescue and several failed attempts to release him back into the wild, the eagle was placed in Cecere’s care.
“To that point we only had birds of prey and eagles trained to sit on a glove we used for educational purposes,” Cecere said. “I had a vision we should train an eagle to free fly during the National Anthem to give the American people an up-close look at their national bird.”
Challenger, who weighs 6 pounds, is released from the top of the stadium and flies large circles to Cecere, who stands on the 10-yard line with a fresh piece of salmon.
“It took years of training to get him comfortable around various human activities,” Cecere said. “We didn’t fly him in stadiums right away. We had him appear at small events and then larger events and worked our way up to stadiums.”
Challenger arrived in Nashville on Wednesday to practice at LP Field.
“That gets him used to the setting and nuances of the stadium,” Cecere said.
Challenger has flown in the presence of four presidents at the White House. He’s flown at the Pentagon, the World War II Memorial groundbreaking, opening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and the 100th anniversary of the flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C.
His sporting event performances include the lighting of the Olympic torch, the World Series, NFL and college football games, and the NCAA men’s basketball Final Four,
He’s made appearances on the Today Show, Good Morning America, The Late Show with David Letterman, Dateline NBC, Larry King Live, Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures and Live with Regis and Kelly. He makes annual visits on Labor Day and Memorial Day to Fox and Friends.
A book — Challenger: America’s Favorite Eagle — was published in 2005.
Challenger will next perform at the Jan. 1 Fiesta Bowl and the Jan. 10 BCS national championship game in Phoenix.
[/av_textblock]