Construction work at the new Nissan Stadium was stopped after a rope tied like a noose was discovered at the site on July 17, according to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.
Police said on July 18 that they are investigating the incident, though it is unclear if the rope was designed to be a noose. According to The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, representatives of the Nashville Mayor’s Office said all workers were sent home after the rope was found.
‘We are aware and specialized investigation detectives are investigating,’ Nashville Police Department spokesperson Kristin Mumford told The Tennessean.
Nashville mayor Freddie O’Connell said on July 18 that the city has spent a lot of energy on workplace safety, aiming to prevent situations like this.
“It is very concerning,” O’Connell said. “There is an open investigation – I know the Titans are cooperating with our Metro Nashville police. We’ll see what that investigation turns up.”
The Tennessee Builders Alliance, the group leading the construction, told ESPN’s Turron Davenport in a statement that they halted work and launched an investigation.
‘This week, a racist and hateful symbol was discovered on our site. There is no place for hate or racism in our workplace,’ the Tennessee Builders Alliance said in a statement to ESPN. ‘We reported the incident to law enforcement, suspended work and launched an investigation.’
ESPN also reported that the group is offering a reward for ‘information leading to the identification of the individual responsible’ and will be requiring additional anti-bias training for all workers.
The future home of the Tennessee Titans is slated to open in February 2027 after construction began in February 2024 on the 60,000 seat stadium.
It’s expected that the $2.1 billion stadium will be ready for kickoff of the 2027 NFL season.