2019 NFL Draft: Special Olympics athletes showcase skills at Unified Flag Football game

Jordan Hogan wasn't worried about marking down a loss Wednesday night during a flag football game in front of several former Tennessee Titans greats.

That's because he had his best buddy, Devin Copeland, with him.

"I don't have to worry about losing," Hogan said of Copeland's athletic ability.

The pair of 19-year-olds were part of several teams of Unified Flag Football teams — a league for individuals with and without intellectual disabilities to play flag football together — that were hosted at the 2019 NFL Draft's Play Football Clinic Field just outside of Nissan Stadium.

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Copeland said he and Hogan have been inseparable since they first were paired together in high school.

"We've done all the events together: Football, basketball, volleyball. You name it, we do it," said Copeland. 

The games were put on by the NFL, the Tennessee Titans and the Special Olympics. It brought together the Titans legends and the kids.

"The draft is tomorrow and you see when those guys are overwhelmed with emotion, but that is what you are seeing here on this football field," said Chris Sanders, a former Tennessee Titans wide receiver.

"The one thing I love about all of this is football brings everyone together."

For Hogan, the game was an opportunity to play a game he enjoys. The Cheatham County Schools athlete admitted he doesn't watch much football. For Hogan, it's all about getting on the field.

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Being an athlete is something that Jennifer Copeland, Devin's mother, said has helped Hogan over the years she's known him. She said Hogan used to have anger issues, but she said playing sports has helped changed his life. 

That is what the day is all about, said Adam Germek, Special Olympics of Tennessee president and CEO. The teams came from Cheatham, White and Columbia counties.

"It is unbelievable and to see their abilities out here is tremendous," Germek said.

And even though Hogan isn't the biggest fan of football, he said the opportunity allows him to head out and have some fun at the draft, too.

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Reach Jason Gonzales at jagonzales@tennessean.com and on Twitter @ByJasonGonzales.