I was born with orange in my blood. The first song I learned by heart was “Rocky Top.” My family knew what it meant to be a Tennessee Volunteer. Saturdays were holidays in our house. Friends weren’t allowed over and being home by game time was non-negotiable. Those days created traditions, memories, and lessons over the years.
I went to my first Tennessee game when I was nine-years-old. I remember the sea of orange, the sound of 100,000 people singing “Rocky Top” at the top of their lungs, and the feeling of pure happiness.
From that moment on, being a Vol wasn’t just about football. I gained 100,000 friends that day.
Over the years, we’ve celebrated the highs and endured the lows. I will never forget the feeling of the 2016 Hail Mary Josh Dobbs threw to Jauan Jennings for a game-winning touchdown or the 2022 Tennessee vs. Alabama upset. Those feelings are moments Tennessee fans will chase forever.
The lows…they were low. Lane Kiffin’s departure in the middle of the night sparked burning of mattresses and riots from college students. The Dooley Years were when we endured a losing record for three years in a row. The heart break of Butch Jones going 0-8 in SEC game play. The recruiting violations under Jeremy Pruitt ending with another firing. We suffered for almost 20 years.
Now, in my 30s, I realize being a Tennessee Volunteer is more than being a fan. It’s been a life lesson. Life gives us ups and downs with victories and challenges. Just like the team, life has taught me joy, pride, resilience, but most importantly it has taught me to never give up. Joshua Heupel brought back our spark. We didn’t just get a new coach as he brought something we had been missing for a long time: hope and excitement. Saturdays went from dread to joy. If we aren’t tailgating at the game, we are tailgating at home.
