Story I have told before but maybe worth doing it again……
Was a young kid doing odd jobs in the summer to make some money and this guy asks if I would be willing to mow his yard for the remaining of the summer. He would pay me with a football ticket to UT games.
I mowed his yard several times and received my first ticket to a game. It was 1970 and we opened with SMU. Went to the gate and was asked to go to the elevator. I went up and then was directed to a box where the coaches were seated. I got to spend the entire season with the coaches!! I was able to listed to the play calling and strategy sessions. Interesting fact…. Back then, they had a wire that was connected from the press box to the sidelines that they would send polaroid pictures down for discussions.
The coach that I worked this deal with was Buddy Bennett Of the famed ”Buddies Bandits” (My screen name). He was one of the innovators of a zone defense. That defense along with a talented group of DB’s (and LB’s) went ont to set a NCAA record for interceptions that I think is still in place today. Whenever I see Tim Priest out he and I have “story time” about those days.
While living here in Knoxville, Stetson (current QB’s dad) was born. Buddy was a great man. He was tough and installed that quality in his players. Stetson reminds me a lot of his grandfather. Good people……
Good times and great memories…..