Marcus Mariota’s mustache is gone but never forgotten

The month of November has come and gone, and with it, we also say a fond farewell to Marcus Mariota’s mustache.

Mariota grew a mustache during the month of November to help raise awareness for prostate cancer. Once the month was over, though, the mustache was gone.

The Tennessee Titans went 2-2 while Mariota had the mustache, but Mariota was excellent. During that span, he threw for 1,124 yards, with 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Over the final three weeks of November, Mariota had quarterback ratings of 149.8, 106.3, and 126.4, respectively. We’re not saying the mustache elevated Mariota’s play, but we can’t really confirm that it didn’t, either.

The mustache was always intended to be temporary, and Mariota told the Titans’ official website at the beginning of the month that his girlfriend wasn’t the biggest fan of his facial hair.

“I don’t think she’s too happy about (the look),’’ Mariota said.

Allow us to say, respectfully, that Mariota’s girlfriend was simply wrong. The mustache was a thing of beauty.

We’ll have to wait until next November to see if Mariota decides to bring back the mustache. In the meantime, Tennessee’s starting left tackle, Taylor Lewan, assumes the honor of best Titans’ mustache by default.

The Titans and Texans are both at the top of the AFC South at 6-6. With the division well within reach, there’s still hope that Mariota will decide to grow a playoff beard.