Neyland Stadium-Knoxville, Tennessee Creates Results.
On October 3rd, 2015 with two teams limping in, the results would be that one team Arkansas or Tennessee would earn their first SEC win of the season. The Razorbacks were on a three game losing streak, (0-1 in the SEC) and had yet to find its trough.
The Volunteers (0-1 in the SEC) had lost three out of their last four, finding ways to give up fourteen point leads in three of them. Answers were being sought to shore up a leaky defense. Grumblings of questionable play calling with the lead in the second half filled the airwaves.
According to the University of Tennessee official Athletic website: “The present day Neyland Stadium, Shields-Watkins Field, had its beginning in 1919. Col. W.S. Shields, president of Knoxville’s City National Bank and a UT trustee, provided the initial capital to prepare and equip an athletic field. Thus, when the field was completed in March 1921, it was called Shields-Watkins Field in honor of the donor and his wife, Alice Watkins-Shields.
The stadium, apart from the field it grew to enclose, came to bear its own distinguished name — Neyland Stadium. It was named for the man most responsible for the growth and development of Tennessee’s proud football tradition. General Robert R. Neyland served as head coach from 1926-1952, with two interruptions for military service.
The history and tradition of Tennessee football began when Gen. Robert Reese Neyland came to Tennessee as an ROTC instructor and backfield coach in 1925 and was named head football coach in 1926. From that date, Tennessee was in the college football arena to stay. Neyland’s 1939 Vols were the last to shut out each of its regular season opponents.
Over the course of his career, 112 of 216 opponents failed to score against his Tennessee teams and the Vols still own an NCAA record for holding opponents scoreless for 71 consecutive quarters.
Neyland’s teams won Southern Conference titles in 1927 and 1932, piling up undefeated streaks of 33 and 28 games along the way, and SEC championships in 1938, 1939, 1940, 1946 and 1951. In addition, Neyland-coached teams won four national championships. The Vols were consensus national champions in 1951 and Neyland’s 21-year record at Tennessee was 173-31-12”.
For more information go to: http://www.utsports.com/facilities/neyland/
FRIDAY, 10/2/15/PRE-GAME: For this game I have set up camp about 100 miles west from Knoxville, which is about 110 miles east of Nashville. This location was my best option for my return flight home on Sunday.
Driving is not an issue on my Pilgrimages for I can enjoy the new scenery when possible. However, driving in inclement weather is another story. Inclement driving conditions in Las Vegas are a rarity.
Rainy conditions joined me on my drive this day. Sightseeing was to be reduced, as more emphases would be needed for the safe drive. With the large semis, and cars spraying my windshield, memories on why I moved to the desert kept me company.
Greenery was abundant. When permitted, I gazed into the landscape, which reminded me of Pennsylvania. As I entered Knoxville, the rain started to lessen. Hope for dryer conditions and uncovering some ‘folklore’ for my Friday Ritual increased. After being fed ‘folklore’ at my other two sites, I seek its taste once again.
Finding a space in premium parking across the street from Neyland Stadium, I weighed out my options after speaking to a contractor who was doing his pre-game check on the elevators.
Though it was a permit lot, and with the increasing chance of rain, I decided to risk a ticket. The ticket cost less than a one-day guest-parking pass. If I stayed close by, perhaps I could intercept the attendee before a ticket could be issued.
This is a photo of the main entrance to Neyland Stadium at the intersection of Phillip Fulmer Way and Peyton Manning Pass.
In town for a wedding from Chicago, mother Liz and son Zack obliged my plea for a photo shoot. His mom was excited that she got a picture with her son who disdains photos, on her cell phone.
Tomorrow was to be his first ever major college football game. While explaining my Pilgrimage, his eyes started to widen as he attentively listened to my tales. I told him about the ‘blessings’ that the experience would bestow on him and come prepared.
As I started my Ritual, this is my first encounter with the ‘Guards’ of the gate.
Her name was Carolyn. Kindness and gentleness oozed from her persona. She answered all of my questions and made me feel like I was ‘Home’. After my thanks, we parted ways. Before my tour continued, a restroom stop was in order.
The current Student Center was nearby, with a new one under construction. The Vols current practice facilities are located in another section of the campus. Neyland Stadium is neatly situated, surrounded by other buildings with extremely limited parking.
This was a “motto” posted in the Vols Student Center. I was strucked with the idea to use it as need be for my Pilgrimage in Knoxville. A slight drizzle started to fall, as I waited for a photo shoot.
Ty, a Vol student granted my request. After taking my photo, I asked him if he was familiar with the ‘motto’ posted in the Student Center. He said he was not. When asked if he was attending tomorrow’s game, he replied it would depend upon the weather.
With the powers vested in me, I named Ty ‘a Fair Weather Fan’. He laughed. As our encounter concluded, and as I walked away to resume my Ritual, I considered the current conditions of both the weather and Vols Football. Would these conditions, affect the crowd and their passion?
The group of male students responsible for this photo echoed what Ty said. They declined my offer for their picture. Sanity reared its head with my next engagement. Three security ‘Guards’ were manning the next unlocked gate. Two of them shared their thoughts with me.A different view was offered. Regardless, of the current conditions, the ‘True’ Vol fan will show up in force to rally on their Football Team at Saturday’s game.
My findings at other Stadiums have produced a ‘Knowing’. Answers can be found in the bowels of the Stadium from personnel who have years of experience. With the right questions, ‘folklore’ might be uncovered. Apparently, the current misfortunes of Tennessee Football began with the dismissal of Head Coach Phillip Fulmer in November of 2008.
A retrospect is warranted. According to Wikipedia, “Fulmer became the 20th head football coach at Tennessee midway through the 1992 season, after the decision to replace then-coach Johnny Majors.[3]
In Fulmer’s early career Tennessee won two Southeastern Conference championships, in 1997 and 1998, and a national championship in 1998. The Vols made three other SEC Championship game appearances in 2001, 2004, and 2007 losing all three. Despite his decline over the last several years of his career, Fulmer’s winning percentage was still among the top in the country for coaches who had over ten years’ experience.
Fulmer helped return Tennessee to national prominence in 1990s, a stretch which included the undefeated 1998 season, when the Vols won the first ever BCS National Championship Game. The Vols appeared in three consecutive Bowl Alliance or BCS games from 1997 to 1999.
They posted 10 or more wins from 1995 to 1998, with Peyton Manning at quarterback from 1995 through 1997. The senior class of the 1998 team compiled a record of 45–5, losing only to Florida (three times), Nebraska and Memphis.
After a slow start in 2008, Fulmer came under increased scrutiny from Tennessee fans,[6][7] leaving skepticism about how long he would remain Tennessee’s head football coach despite having just received a contract extension after the 2007 season.[8][9]
UT athletic director Mike Hamilton finally notified Fulmer of his dismissal on November 2, 2008. The next day, he agreed to step down as head coach following the season.
That week the Vols suffered a loss at the hands of Wyoming, a 26 point underdog.[10] Fulmer completed his long tenure at the University of Tennessee with a 28-10 win over Kentucky on November 29, 2008.[11][12] Fulmer never lost to the University of Kentucky, winning 17 straight games. Lane Kiffin was hired by Mike Hamilton to succeed Fulmer as the head coach of the Tennessee Vols”. That hiring produced its own results.
After this photo was taken by James, I thanked him for his time and hospitality. As I continued my Ritual, thoughts of another curse danced in my brain. I quickly named it the ‘Fulmer Vendetta’.
Though some camps of the Vol Nation celebrated Fulmer’s dismissal, other camps did not agree. A division of camps that began with the firing of Legend Johnny Majors and the hiring of Fulmer raised its ugly head once again.
My last stop on my ritual ended with an extended audience with another ‘Guard’, the ‘poster child’ for the ‘Law of Attraction’. What started as a three-person audience ended in two. When I entered the scene, Lynn was already engaged in stories with another young black man, whose car was running on the street.
After hearing a few tales, I exclaimed my moniker for Lynn. The young man agreed with me and left shortly thereafter. I stood there for over 30 minutes listening to this sage share his wisdom with me.
Lynn is a 73 graduate of Tennessee. His love and passion for all of the Vol sports placed him in his current position. One that he has been doing since his graduation days. It started out small. The more he gave away, he was re-supplied with more.
Somewhere along the way, Lynn would have certain kinds of Vol memorabilia fall into his arms. He happily shared it with others. With each sharing, more memorabilia would manifest. With the trust of others that Lynn developed over the years, Lynn would seek autographs for certain items.
He never sold an item for profit. Though he may have purchased certain items, he never charged more than his costs. His stories of autographed footballs and autographed Vol football helmets by Tennessee ‘Greats’ overwhelmed me.
His eyes and his ‘smile’ brighten my experience as he told tales of others getting these treasures from him then passing them on to others as gifts. Even to this day, more memorabilia flows his way. Some took longer than others.
One of his favorites that took years to fruition was the streamers from the goalposts. He kept those for himself. I thanked him for his time and his ‘blessings’ as my Ritual came to an end.
Thank goodness that I had purchased rain gear for the 2014 Pilgrimage, for Saturday’s forecast called for showers, heavy at times. The only problem was that my rain pants were keeping my closet dry back home. Solution, buy another pair. This is what I saw.
Game Day: October 3, 2015- Arkansas at Tennessee, Kickoff 7:00pm
Since I am located in the Central time zone, adjustments were needed for my game schedule. The game is in the Eastern Time zone. While loading up my car in the rain, another visitor at the inn informed me that Knoxville was experiencing heavy rains.
It was raining harder than yesterday. Being extra cautious was on the agenda for the drive. As I traveled, smoke appeared on the road in the higher elevations. One does not see much fog in the Las Vegas Valley.
As my head got out of the fog, my thoughts turned to the ‘Fulmer Vendetta’. My perception of the entire College Football Nation was coming into focus. Each University and College is similar to a ‘Tribe’.
Membership criteria into these ‘Tribes’ vary. Some are born into it. Others may marry into it. There are those who will pay a fee to be indoctrinated into the ways of these Universities/Colleges. Others pledge allegiance, to represent these schools in various competitions. Many like the colors.
The event that draws the most attention, and has the most meaning for the Religious Faithful, is College Football. Yes, some schools have rested their hats on other sports, but in most Universities/Colleges, the ‘King’ is College Football.
What makes it the ‘King’ is the passion, the loyalty, the enthusiasm, and the energy that the ‘Faithful’ bring to the event. In order to shower, in what I consider a ‘Religious Experience’, one needs to experience ‘it’ for themselves, except at Pitt (Heinz Field).
For any ‘Tribe’ to be successful, most have to be equally committed to the same cause. Dissidents should be welcomed, but only if an alternative plan is offered. Solutions produce results. The more united the ‘Tribe’, the better the results.
Coach Johnny Majors is an icon in the history of Tennessee football. Coach Phillip Fulmer won the last National Championship in 2008 for the Tennessee Nation. Has their rift been healed?
Coach Majors not only remembered my name when meeting him in the Pitt’s coaching office, he also permitted to be part of his inaugural staff as a graduate assistant at Pitt for the 73 season. I combined my student teaching with my football responsibilities.
His staff consisted of the who’s who in the College Football World. Please google his 1973 Pitt Football staff for more info. It was his kindness that permitted me to share the ‘blessings’ of the 73 Fiesta Bowl. That trip exposed me to the desert and future dreams.
With Knoxville in my sights, a parking space took priority in my thoughts. Seeing this sign led me in.
After I entered the lot, the prices were explained. $40 for blocked, and $50 for unblocked. I told Brit, this was the highest priced campsite that I have paid for during my Pilgrimages. He just ‘smiled’.
My normal operating procedures follow the wisdom of the Chines Proverb, “A bird in hand is worth more than two birds in a bush”. When told of my close proximity to the stadium, the cost was being justified in my brain.
With the rain easing, I ventured off with only my rain jacket and other gear to seek the benefits of what the Stadium/Event were to offer me. What would I give in return?
This graduate student, who declined his name, offered me the following: You are about to enter one of the Cathedrals of College Football. I just love hearing those religious connotations. I told him, I look forward to its ‘blessings’.
So much for my Chinese Proverb!!
It took this fan over two hours to get ready for the game.
My first photo op.
Daniel and Adam behind my camera for first photo op. They were visiting from out of town in neutral colors.
Five hours before kickoff.
My first Arkansas fans, Brian & Adam.
After taking that photo, I engaged with two Tennessee fans and the Razorback fans. I wanted to dig deeper on my ‘Fulmer Vendetta’ theory. After explaining my theory, all agreed that it could be possible.
One Vol’s fan told me that at last night’s Alumni dinner, Coach Johnny Major and Coach Phillip Fulmer were photographed shaking hands publicly since the dismissal of Coach Majors during the 92 season.
I was informed that the photo was somewhere on Facebook. (This was later verified by other sources.) As I walked away, thoughts of a ‘healing hand shake’ danced in my brain. Could this public display be what is needed to unite the Vol Nation? Only time will tell of those results.
Premium parking campsites.
This campsite was appealing to my senses.
More campsites
Vols ‘innocents’ on straw.
The ‘Fox’ has embraced the ‘innocents’. The one on my right said that the one on my left was a former Vol’s cheerleader. She is now a math teacher. I said ‘bless’ all teachers and thanked them for their embrace. As I walked away, thoughts of ‘blessings’ from other Cheerleaders/Dance Team lit up in my brain.
Great Concept! This concept is copy righted. It is the First of its Kind. Robert A. (Archie) Ellis, Jr.is the CEO of the autism Breakthrough Foundation of Knoxville. Patrons donate $20 for all you can eat and drink. Other companies have donated all the other items.
Patrons and food.
More campsites in the rain.
The tables add to the decor.
This is Terry Turner, President of All Occasions Party Rentals. Terry had been setting up his campsite for years at the same spot. His vision for the area was to partner with the University and name the site ‘Tailgate Village’.
After additional years, his dream became a reality. All the sites in ‘Tailgate Village’ are reserved and rented. Price varies by sites. Your price includes the size of the site, and all of the amenities. One fills out a sheet, checking off boxes for its campsite. These amenities include: Size and numbers of TVs, tables, chairs, stools, couches, chandeliers, cooking options, and so much more.
Terry offered me some grub. My return trip to my car for my game gear was imminent. I took him up on his offer for the fuel, and a place to stay dry. Terry welcomed me as an ‘olde faithful friend’.
While enjoying my surroundings, the scenery on the couches stimulated my senses. We exchanged picture-taking opportunities.
While hiking back to my car in the rain, more photo ops.
This was the scene from Torchbearer Plaza, Circle Park. It too recently underwent a renovation. This newly rebuilt plaza was widen to accommodate larger events. It features new trees, streetscape elements, sidewalks, retaining walls, new paths, landscaping, and a blend of XtraGrass, which is a combination of natural and artificial grass.
The UT’s official symbol was adopted in 1931, but the statue after some changes, was erected, unveiled and dedicated on April 19, 1968. Some dreams take longer. UT’s official symbol-has borne silent witness to the university’s Volunteer Creed: “One that beareth a torch shadoweth oneself to give light to others”.
The photo ops kept multiplying. The University of Tennessee’s spirit program is comprised of the coed cheer team, dance team, Smokey the mascot, The Volunteer and everyone’s beloved canine, Smokey X.
The spirit teams, under the direction of Joy M. Postell-Gee, have brought national recognition, finishing in the top 10 annually in the Universal Cheer, Dance and Mascot National Collegiate Competition as seen on ESPN. No other SEC spirit program can match their claim.
Did someone say the ‘Law of Attraction’?
Campsites in the parking garage.
After dressing in my game gear, I returned to the stadium close to my time schedule. Final preparations were being made for the ‘Entrance March’ by the University of Tennessee band.
Dave and Sherry convinced me to stay and enjoy the festivities, for my sights were on my seat.
How far down the road, did they start? ‘I do not know Sam I am’. The “Pride of the Southland Band” was organized immediately after the Civil War when the University reopened. They are world and nationally renowned.
A turn onto the bridge.
Smokey the Mascot.
The ‘Entrance March’ led by motorcycles with their blue lights flashing serpentined through the path on its way to the stadium. I thanked Dave and Sherry for the spectacular imagery and another ‘cum da laude’ moment.
This is my first witness to such a Grand ‘Entrance March’.
Daughter Kendall sharing her First ‘Entrance March’ with her mother Belinda.
The ‘Big Orange Banditos Band’
While playing my request for ‘Rocky Top’, this Lil Vol fan broke out into a ‘jig’ as the crowd encouraged him on.
The crowd is filing in.
A Razorback faithful named Michael.
My gate entrance.
View from the ramp going up.
My first view as a fan inside Neyland Stadium.
Photo op taken by Ronnie in section J.
Ronnie.
More views.
Concourse.
The view from around the 50.
Paul was my cameraman. 
The crowd is increasing.
Doug who was beautifully photo bombed.
Image of the crowd outside the Stadium.
Angie and her husband has been selling programs for 10 years at Neyland Stadium. Not only do they get paid, the second half is on the house.
The ‘Three Razorback Charms’.
A New Tradition.
The crowd is settling in as I arrive to my seat.
Tennessee Greats!
“Pride of the Southland Band”
Visitors from other ‘Nations’
My nephew’s seat. Due to other forces, my nephew BG was unable to join me on this year’s Pilgrimage. His camera work came in handy in 2014. His connections granted us field passes for the Nebraska at Michigan State game.
Talk about ‘blessings’, he was the cameraman for those beautiful photos on the ‘About Me’ and ‘Biographical Sketch’ pages. Guest camera operators stepped in for him this year.
Below is a photo of him at the 2014 Nebraska at Michigan State game. BG was informed by other staff personnel to respect the ‘space’ of Coach Izzo. BG kept repeating, if I could only have a photo with my favorite Basketball Coach.
As I observed Coach Izzo interacting with other fans, I told BG your moment has arrived. He tried to tell me about the staff’s warning. I replied that those words were for your ears not mine.
While walking up to Coach Izzo, I told him my name and that I had come all the way from Las Vegas for the game. I then asked him if it was possible if he would take a photo with my nephew. With a ‘smile’ on his face,Coach Izzo agreed. BG got his ‘blessing’ with a photo of the two on his cell phone.
The playing and singing of ‘Rocky Top’ ruffled my goose-flesh.
The Game:
Just as my goose-flesh retreated, the opening kickoff occurred. With everyone on their feet, the crescendo of the crowd could be heard and felt. The opening kickoff is always my first litmus test for the ‘energy’ level.
Sitting among the student section was music to my ears. Hearing the ahhing, oohing, screaming, yelling, foot stoppin, and clappin indicated that the Vol Fans did subscribe to their motto:
Tennessee’s deep back caught the ball at his own four, slipping through a crease, he found open field along his own sidelines. The roar of the crowd grew with every step closer to the goal line.
As the ball crossed the goal line, it was as though I was standing on top of the flight deck of some nuclear aircraft carrier. I experienced that sound in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 2011 during my first game on my first Pilgrimage.
The game was #1 LSU at #2 Alabama. Some called it the ‘Game of the Century’. When I was introduced to that roar at Bryant-Denny Stadium. I asked the gentleman sitting next to me, if he had heard anything louder or just as loud.
He replied yes. I asked where? He said he was once stationed on the flight deck of a nuclear aircraft carrier.
With the crowd in a frenzy, Tennessee scored again for an early 14-0 lead. However, as in previous games the early lead would not hold up. For a summary of the game go to:
Arkansas vs. Tennessee – Game Recap – October 3, 2015 …espn.go.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400603884
Arkansas vs. Tennessee – Game Summary – October 3 …espn.go.com/college-football/game?gameId=400603884
As the game played on many things were observed.
The Cheer Squad.
For his 5th birthday, Colby wanted a ticket for the Razorback game. His dad, Chris said “Happy Birthday Colby”. It was Colby’s first Vol Game. His ‘blessing’ was shared with me and others.
‘24/7 SPORTS’ agreed with my assessment of the tackling by Tennessee.
“Tennessee defensive coordinator John Jancek didn’t deny Tuesday that it’s been awhile since the Vols tackled as poorly as they did Saturday night against Arkansas. Perhaps almost two years, to be exact.
“It was the worst in a long time — probably since the first year,” Jancek said, referring to the 2013 season, the first at Tennessee for coach Butch Jones’ staff. “We were there and guys are lunging, not closing space, not shortening their stride, not putting eyes on the thighs.
“It’s something that you work on every week, and they’ve got to go out there and they’ve got to execute it. We’ll get it done.”
Jancek admitted the Vols’ poor tackling, which helped the Razorbacks pile up 494 yards of total offense in their 24-20 win over Tennessee, surprised him “because we had been taking good angles to the ball.”
Tennessee’s safeties in particular seemed to struggle against Arkansas, missing tackles and giving up a few big plays in the passing game.
“They were in position,” Jancek said. “There was not a lot of mental errors or anything like that. We just missed tackles. And then there was a couple plays with the ball in the air. We’ve got a guy right there and we don’t make a play, and that’s frustrating. That’s frustrating for all of us.
“But we’re working, and we’re going to continue to get better. We’re building a foundation for the future, and we’re not going to compromise anything that we believe in. We’re going to keep doing the things that we’ve been doing that have gotten us to this point. We’ve showed tremendous improvement.
“And I said at the beginning of the year there’s going to be some growing pains, and we’re experiencing those right now. But we’re not going to back off. We’re not going to accommodate anything less than their very best effort.”
During halftime, I spotted ‘olde faithful friends’ walking up the aisle. I told her that it was the holes in her jeans that signaled my attention.
This was a first for me. Reconnecting in the stadium with those, I connected with at their campsite. More photos were called for to commemorate the ‘Historical Moment’.
‘Rocky Top’ was played and sung all night long.
Lynn’s Streamers.
The Volunteer and Smokey X. Unlike Mike VI the LSU Tiger, Smokey X comes to work regardless of the weather. In 1953, the Tennessee pep club sponsored a contest to select a coonhound, a native breed of the state as the mascot.
It was during the halftime of the Mississippi State game. All the dogs were lined up and introduced over the PA system. “Blue Smokey” was the last to be called. When his name was announced, he barked.
When the fans cheered, he threw back his head and barked again. This was repeated until the stadium was in an uproar and UT had found its mascot.
The Checkerboard end zone is a Tennessee Trademark that began in 1964 under Head Coach Doug Dickey.
This is a photo of Taylor and Ashley. They live in Atlanta and are members the Vol’s Nation. I begged forgiveness from Taylor. For Taylor started with two ears. When the game ended, he left with one and a half. I thanked him for letting me chew on his ear.
The crowd that remained of the 101,065, stood in disbelief as Arkansas was poised for their first SEC win.
The Calling of the Hogs could be heard from the upper bleachers. According to Wikipedia “Fans begin a hog call with a “Woo”, which increases in volume and also includes raising the arms with fingers wiggling up and down.
Razorback fans have stated that the Woo should last six seconds. The arms are brought down during the “pig” and the hands are clenched into a fist. “Sooie” is accompanied with a fist pump. After the third call, “Razorbacks” is added with two additional fist pumps”.
The ‘Hogs’ celebrate with their fans in the far end zone, after feasting from the trough.
As the Stadium emptied.
Karie and Chris sat in disbelief as the Vols have come up short once again. Another fan told me, it is like going to different weddings. He said the Vols spend more time being a ‘bridesmaid’ than being the ‘bride’.
While gathering up my things, I met three more fans. Honey Beam was being escorted by a Pair of Jacks.
A view of the bridge.
More Pig Sooie fans. When asked how long will Head Coach Brett Bielema enjoy his new honeymoon status, one Hog fan replied, “Until he loses another game”. Someone thanked me for putting those Razorback Honnies in the photo.
My assessment of the UT Football Program, with the little that I have observed is this. Head Coach Butch Jones is in the third year of his contract. Unlike other coaches in similar situations, the UT Football team lacks an identity.
If there are strengths, they need to be more visible. As I observe a football team, the strengths of the team should be the foundation of the team. Since football is an ‘Art’, then more emphasis should be placed enhancing the weaknesses.
This responsibility falls on all within the organization. Everyone agreed to this arrangement. As a fan, using youth as a reason, does not pass my smell and hearing test.
According to the ‘Law of Expectation’, one gets what one expects. When coaches expect their players to perform at a certain level, most will respond to the call. Others can use fallback.
Players hear or read, coach said we are young and we are learning. We will learn from our mistakes. Let us flip this coin. Players and coaches should both hear and say; our players and coaches are some of the ‘Very Best’ in the country.
We expect our youth to play like savvy veterans. We expect all to follow our creed.
If you did that all the time, what more can you expect of yourself? What more can you expect from others?
For more info on the current status of Head Coach Butch Jones, go to:
http://www.wbir.com/story/sports/columnist/david-climer/2015/10/04/butch-jones-gets-heightened-scrutiny-with-tvols-reeling/73345674/
In closing, Neyland Stadium answered the call. It is a Cathedral of College Football. I received many ‘blessings’ from the passionate, loyal fans of Tennessee Football. They lived up to their proud tradition, treating opposing visitors and a ‘stranger’ from a distant land as one of their own.
Goose-flesh was raised over double digits. I am thankful and hope that I left something in return.
Their fans face the unknown, seeking that bride’s status once again. They want to dance again as they danced with Coach Fulmer at their 1998 Wedding winning the first ever BCS National Championship Game.
Will the public handshake between Coach Majors and Coach Fulmer mend their long time rift? Will all the ‘Tribes’ rally around their current groom Coach Butch Jones. Some wounds take longer to mend. Time will tell it tale.
Will the ‘Fulmer Vendetta’ be lifted? Another story to be followed.
That is the beauty of time as long as we have it. It gives us something to look forward to. The day you stop looking forward to something, is the day you start dying.
To Neyland Stadium: I wish for you a matching Video Board opposite of the only one. 20,000 fans including myself did not have easy access to video replay. I say put some of that SEC money into your motto.
I will look forward to watching the Vols from my home base in Henderson, Nevada. Speaking of home, I will be setting up shop here for the near future.
My next topic will include my thoughts on the current College Football Playoffs system. I will not rank teams, for it is done for us. My emphases will be on why are they selling us ‘Pigs in Dresses’.
Get your Friday’s Fixins with Fox-Feather. Until our paths cross once again.
