John AdamsKnoxville News Sentinel
So many folks have moved to Knoxville from California that Tennessee’s fan base could be growing like a giant wave building at Huntington Beach.
Some of the new residents might retain their allegiance to previous schools. But others could become full-fledged “Volifornians.”
So, I’m here to help them with the transition.
If they’re wearing orange, they will fit in. But if they want to dive deeper into Tennessee fandom, here are a few things they should know.
A Tennessee fan gets nauseated when Charles Woodson’s name is mentioned
The former Michigan All-American cornerback who later became an NFL star beat out UT quarterback Peyton Manning for the Heisman Trophy in 1997.
UT fans blamed ESPN for going above and beyond in promoting Woodson. ESPN’s Chris Fowler responded by mentioning Tennessee fans in the same sentence with “trailer park trash.”
My take: Woodson was a terrific player and delivered significant plays in Michigan's victory over Ohio State. But he couldn’t impact a game the way a quarterback could, which is why I didn’t include him on my Heisman ballot.
If I hadn’t voted Manning first, I would have favored Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf for the award. Never mind that he fizzled as a pro. He was so dominant in college that the Cougars were in the running for a national championship.
A Tennessee fan is familiar with General Neyland’s maxims
Although he coached his last game more than 70 years ago, the name of the stadium tells you how important he is to Tennessee football. He stressed seven basic principles that could tilt a game his team’s way.
You don’t need to memorize them. Just know they exist.
One stands out to me: “If at first the game – or the breaks – go against you, don’t let up … put on more steam.”
Tennessee’s 1998 team played up to that maxim in going 13-0 and winning a national championship, which explains why you still can see a 1998 license plate in Knoxville.
A Tennessee fan knows that officials favor Alabama
I can’t support that belief with any evidence other than that the SEC Office is in Birmingham and other SEC fan bases also have bought into the Alabama conspiracy.
My take: The Tide’s longstanding success has more to do with coaching than officiating. They were smart enough - or lucky enough - to hire Bear Bryant and Nick Saban.
Tennessee fans will never forgive Lane Kiffin
They fell in love with Kiffin in 2009 when he won seven games after succeeding Phillip Fulmer as coach. But the love affair was short-lived.
Kiffin left after that one season to take the head coaching job at Southern California. Fans were understandably outraged, and primed to fire up the mattresses.
Tennessee fans don’t believe Florida's Jabar Gaffney scored in 2000
With 14 seconds to play, Jesse Palmer completed a 3-yard pass to Gaffney, who was open just inside the end zone. He caught the ball, dropped it, but held it long enough for an official to signal touchdown.
Tennessee fans disagreed.
My take: The call could have gone either way. But if the pass had been ruled incomplete, the Gators likely would have won on the next play or the one after that.
Before Gaffney’s catch/drop, Palmer had completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Reche Caldwell, but the TD was nullified by a penalty for ineligible receiver downfield.
Just another reminder that Florida coach Steve Spurrier vs. UT’s defense was usually a mismatch.
Tennessee fans get nervous when things are going well
When the Vols seemingly have been on a championship path after 1998, they repeatedly have swerved terribly off course.
In 2001, Tennessee was on its way to the SEC championship – and a shot at the national title – before fading in the second half against LSU, which had lost its starting quarterback and running back to injury.
But backup quarterback Matt Mauck rallied the Tigers for an improbable 31-20 victory.
You don’t have to back up that far to understand why Tennessee fans brace themselves when football glory seems right around the corner. In 2022, the Vols were 9-1 and still in the running for the College Football Playoff when they were overwhelmed by underdog South Carolina in an inexplicable 63-38 defeat.
My take: Tennessee fans aren’t just being superstitious or negative when they imagine a dark cloud building in a clear blue sky. Their sense of misfortune is founded in fact.
ADAMS: Tennessee football would have more national titles if NIL had come sooner
I only gave two examples, but there are plenty others - like in 2020 when the Vols opened the season with victories over South Carolina and Missouri to stretch their winning streak to eight games. They lost their next six games and finished 3-7.
Don’t ask: “Who was UT’s coach that season?”
As a new Tennessee fan, you should know the Jeremy Pruitt error is best forgotten.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.
