Countdown to September 1st vs Ball State (Top 250 Vols)

[peaygolf]

9 days…….

#9 - Steve DeLong

DeLong is often forgotten because of the poor teams he happened to play on. He played for three different coaches in his three seasons in Knoxville, with a record of 13-16-1. But don’t think he wasn’t dominant. In 1962, he was named 2nd Team All-SEC and was named the SECs Defensive Lineman of the Year. In his junior season, Steve was named 1st Team All-SEC and 1st Team All-American. He was again named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Year. His senior season was him most dominant. For the second consecutive season, DeLong was 1st Team All-SEC and Consensus 1st Team All-American. He was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Year for the third year in a row. He was also selected as the Outland Trophy winner as the best interior lineman in the country. He was the first Vol to receive the honor. He was picked Lineman of the Year by the Columbus Touchdown Club and Birmingham Touchdown Club, and was voted Most Valuable Player in the Senior Bowl. In 1964 he was captain of the Tennessee team and captain of the East team in the East-West Shrine Bowl. In 1968 a panel of experts picked an all-time Southeastern Conference team, spanning 35 years 1933-1967, and DeLong was on it. Wins and losses don’t always tell the whole story. DeLong was a dominant player and a legend not only in Knoxville, but in the SEC. Steve was a 1st round pick in the NFL and AFL draft in 1965. He played for the Chargers and the Bears. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993.

 

[Rifleman]

was AWOL at West games in HS frequently to watch Walker while he was a Falcon

You were clearly wise beyond your years, ArdentVol.

 

[Orange12]

9 days…….

#9 - Steve DeLong

DeLong is often forgotten because of the poor teams he happened to play on. He played for three different coaches in his three seasons in Knoxville, with a record of 13-16-1. But don’t think he wasn’t dominant. In 1962, he was named 2nd Team All-SEC and was named the SECs Defensive Lineman of the Year. In his junior season, Steve was named 1st Team All-SEC and 1st Team All-American. He was again named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Year. His senior season was him most dominant. For the second consecutive season, DeLong was 1st Team All-SEC and Consensus 1st Team All-American. He was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Year for the third year in a row. He was also selected as the Outland Trophy winner as the best interior lineman in the country. He was the first Vol to receive the honor. He was picked Lineman of the Year by the Columbus Touchdown Club and Birmingham Touchdown Club, and was voted Most Valuable Player in the Senior Bowl. In 1964 he was captain of the Tennessee team and captain of the East team in the East-West Shrine Bowl. In 1968 a panel of experts picked an all-time Southeastern Conference team, spanning 35 years 1933-1967, and DeLong was on it. Wins and losses don’t always tell the whole story. DeLong was a dominant player and a legend not only in Knoxville, but in the SEC. Steve was a 1st round pick in the NFL and AFL draft in 1965. He played for the Chargers and the Bears. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993.

View attachment 483097

One of my favorite Vols! was part of the transition from single wing to T formation teams

 

[peaygolf]

8 days…….

#8 - Chip Kell

taken from his Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Bio…….perfect write up.

“Chip Kell set the standard for blocking guards at the University of Tennessee by becoming a two-time first team All-America selection in 1969 and 1970 (unanimous selection in 1970), a two-time Jacobs Trophy winner as the SEC’s best blocker, a three-time All-SEC selection and named Tennessee’s Outstanding Lineman in 1970.
Chip Kell was a versatile performer who played both center and guard for the Volunteers. Not only did the multi-dimensional Kell play two positions, but he also became a SEC shot put champion. This two-sport athlete developed into a powerful blocker with the speed and strength to explode off the ball. Born in Atlanta, Kell came to Tennessee after playing high school ball in Decatur, GA at Avondale High School.
As a sophomore at UT, he played center on a team that went 8-2-1. The 17-17 tie with Georgia was the only blemish on an otherwise perfect home record during Kell’s three years at UT.
Kell manned the line that allowed Curt Watson to pace the Vols three straight years, including an 807-yard season in the 1969 SEC title year.
His junior season found Chip moving to guard, where he won the first of two consecutive Jacobs Memorial Awards as the top blocker in the Southeast Conference, and was also named a consensus All-America.
The 1969 Vols captured the SEC crown and finished 15th nationally. He was the leader of an offense that set school records for productivity and was undefeated at Shields-Watkins Field.
In 1970, Kell’s blocking helped the Vols run for 2,365 yards, the most since 1951. Kell’s protection also allowed the Vols to pass for 1,996 yards, the most in school history at that time. The Vols had eight 100-yard rushing games during Kell’s junior and senior seasons. As a senior, Kell was a finalist for the Lombardi Award and upped his All-America status to that of a unanimous selection.
UT went 11-1, defeated Air Force in the Sugar Bowl and placed fourth nationally. Drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 1971, Kell went on to play two years in the Canadian Football League with Edmonton before beginning a long career in coaching and education. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.”

 

[Volmac2022]

7 days left!!!!

 

[rocytop2624]

10 days…..

#10 - Jackie Walker

Walker was from Knoxville Fulton and was a linebacker from 1969-1971. Tackles were not calculated prior to 1970, but in his first season with the varsity, Walker was a starter and had two interceptions and his 27 yard return for a TD vs Alabama raised eyebrows as to how good he could be. Quick and smart, Walker was also a vicious hitter. Assistant Coach Herzbrun called him, “the hardest hitter I’ve ever seen.” Walker was named to the Sophomore All-American team. As a junior in 1970, Walker had 132 tackles, 2 sacks, caused 3 fumbles, and recovered a fumble. He also had 5 interceptions and returned 2 for TDs. He was named 1st Team All-SEC and 1st All-American. He was the first African American SEC player in history to be named All-American. As a senior, he became the first African American to be named captain of an SEC school. His 1971 season was amazing. He collected 126 tackles, forced 3 fumbles, recovered 3 fumbles, and intercepted 4 passes. He returned two of the interceptions for touchdowns. He was named 1st Team All-SEC and 1st Team All-American for the second consecutive season. In his three seasons, he had 11 interceptions and returned them for a then NCAA RECORD 5 touchdowns, and helped UT to a 30-5 record. As mentioned earlier, tackles weren’t calculated in 1969, but if so, he would have had well over 100, giving him more than 350 for his career. Walker was a 6th round pick by the 49ers, but was cut before the season started. Most know he wasn’t given the chance due to his sexual orientation. Walker was a pioneer in several areas, on and off the field. He has never garnered the recognition he deserves, not only in Knoxville, but across the SEC and the nation. The statue outside Neyland is a small start, but not nearly enough. He was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2011, but hasn’t been voted into the hall of fame he most rightfully deserves.

View attachment 482837

Did he come out as gay in 1970 or did the 49ers just find out ?

 

[peaygolf]

Did he come out as gay in 1970 or did the 49ers just find out ?

49ers thought he was too small to play LB and moved him to strong safety. Then he was cut. His old UT position coach said the 49ers weren’t patient enough. Walker later confided to a friend it was because he was gay.
I don’t think he ever publicly “came out” but he supposedly never hid it in Knoxville. His teammates knew……

The history of a Tennessee trailblazer: Jackie Walker

 

[Rifleman]

49ers thought he was too small to play LB and moved him to strong safety. Then he was cut. His old UT position coach said the 49ers weren’t patient enough. Walker later confided to a friend it was because he was gay.
I don’t think he ever publicly “came out” but he supposedly never hid it in Knoxville. His teammates knew……

The history of a Tennessee trailblazer: Jackie Walker

He played the game with a great purity of action, and I think it is possible he learned from that to trust himself as a person.

As to his game, allow me to paraphrase one of the best comments I remember from someone who got to see him at the peak: "We were always coached to contain the ball carrier, and you expected a good running back to attack your ability to contain them by getting North and South. Jackie played defense like he was the one calling the plays, like he was the offense. He flipped the game. Downhill running backs would quickly start to get hesitant after a few hits. They'd look like they were in glue and start shading to the sidelines and then Jackie would just destroy them over and over and over again. Never seen anything like it."

I'd say he had the right coaches and teammates at Tennessee to enable that style of play but a lot of it was just pure fight. Other than Bear Bryant, who famously assigned 3 offensive lineman to block Jackie in a play called not-too-subtly "The Jackie Walker Play", no one even slowed him down. And Jackie had 17 tackles against The Bear's play designed to shut him down.

 

[HollowaytoSeivers]

49ers thought he was too small to play LB and moved him to strong safety. Then he was cut. His old UT position coach said the 49ers weren’t patient enough. Walker later confided to a friend it was because he was gay.
I don’t think he ever publicly “came out” but he supposedly never hid it in Knoxville. His teammates knew……

The history of a Tennessee trailblazer: Jackie Walker

Thanks for posting that article, Peay.

 

[MAD]

This time next week.

 

[OneManGang]

I wish we still had the real fireworks. Those fake things shooting out of the top of the stadium grate on my nerves.

 

[SonOfGodVolforlife]

My number one is still out there.. wondering where he’s gonna end up.??? Theirs only one bad thing about Tennessee football starting and that means peays top 250 countdown is over

 

[peaygolf]

7 days………

#7 - Bob Suffridge

Suffridge was a local kid from Central HS before becoming the best offensive lineman in UT history. “He was so quick, he could get around you before you got off your haunches,” said one former teammate. He was the archetype of the Tennessee single-wing pulling guard and played defensive guard, averaging over 50 minutes a game. From 1938-1940, Suffridge never lost a regular season game, and was a standout on a defense that held all ten team scoreless in 1939. Neyland said of Suffridge; “Suff had the quickest and most powerful defensive charge of any lineman I’ve ever seen. I have never seen a lineman play his position so well. He never made a bad play.” As a special teams player, his quickness seemed almost impossible. Suffridge once blocked the same point-after-touchdown three times, being called twice for off sides when actually he wasn’t. Suffridge’s greatness was recognized nationally, being name All-American for three straight seasons……the only Vols player so honored. Suffridge was a 6th round pick by the Steelers in 1941, and played for the Eagles in 1941 and 1945. His career was interrupted due to WW2, but he was an All-Pro in ‘41. Suffridge was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1961, and was named to the All-Time All American team in 1969.

 

[peaygolf]

My number one is still out there.. wondering where he’s gonna end up.??? Theirs only one bad thing about Tennessee football starting and that means peays top 250 countdown is over

I’m gonna best honest and warn some of you now……. 6 and 5 might make a few a tad upset.

 

[IndianaVol]

I’m gonna best honest and warn some of you now……. 6 and 5 might make a few a tad upset.

I've had a feeling all along that a certain QB is not at the top of your list...and I'm okay with that honestly.
So far you and I have pretty much agreed with the exception of one or two spots.

This has been a Herculean effort and has been much. much appreciated in this off-season.

 

[Rifleman]

I’m gonna best honest and warn some of you now……. 6 and 5 might make a few a tad upset.

YOU WON'T BELIEVE PEAYGOLF'S TOP 6 VOLS OF ALL TIME!!!

6. Fuad Reveiz
5. James Wilhoit
4. Jeff Hall
3. John Becksvoort
2. Dustin Colquitt
1. Jimmy Colquitt

We understand. Obviously a golf guy is gonna favor using the old cleat wedge to put the ball on the green over all else. Probably hard to decide the top spot.



In seriousness, this was an unreal punt.

 

[swampfoxfan]

P

49ers thought he was too small to play LB and moved him to strong safety. Then he was cut. His old UT position coach said the 49ers weren’t patient enough. Walker later confided to a friend it was because he was gay.
I don’t think he ever publicly “came out” but he supposedly never hid it in Knoxville. His teammates knew……

The history of a Tennessee trailblazer: Jackie Walker

Puts to rest the argument sexual orientation has any bearing on toughness. Jackie would be starting on many NfL teams today.

 

[gnm53108]

I’m gonna best honest and warn some of you now……. 6 and 5 might make a few a tad upset.

You do you PG. Love your list. A couple of player/coach’s coming up?

 

[peaygolf]

You do you PG. Love your list. A couple of player/coach’s coming up?

Two for sure!

 

[OneManGang]

Puts to rest the argument sexual orientation has any bearing on toughness. Jackie would be starting on many NfL teams today.

A gay black guy at Fulton in the mid-1960s??? (Hell, a gay black guy at Fulton TODAY!!)

Good Lord, he could eat any of these posturing "brave gay activists" of today for breakfast and use their fuscia feather boas to pick his teeth.

 

[peaygolf]

A gay black guy at Fulton in the mid-1960s??? (Hell, a gay black guy at Fulton TODAY!!)

Good Lord, he could eat any of these posturing "brave gay activists" of today for breakfast and use their fuscia feather boas to pick his teeth.

His story is a sad one. Would make a phenomenal movie. I keep saying it, but Walker doesn’t get the recognition he deserves…….his brother, I think, has worked hard to preserve his memory

 

[OneManGang]

I had a minor medical procedure this a.m. so had some down time and have compiled my own list of the Final Six.

I refuse to steal @peaygolf's thunder and so will post it after he does #1. I'm curious how close we are.

Hint: if you think about how my mind functions (granted, sporadically, if at all), you can discern a clue as to my #1.

 

[peaygolf]

I had a minor medical procedure this a.m. so had some down time and have compiled my own list of the Final Six.

I refuse to steal @peaygolf's thunder and so will post it after he does #1. I'm curious how close we are.

Hint: if you think about how my mind functions (granted, sporadically, if at all), you can discern a clue as to my #1.

Look forward to seeing it!
My top 10 switched numerous times, but my top 3 stayed the same…….

 

[OrangeTsar]

Time to switch countdown to hours. I think we are just now under 146

 

[peaygolf]

Time to switch countdown to hours. I think we are just now under 146

I can find 120 things to talk about...................

EDIT…..I’m an idiot. My post was 26 minutes after your post. Not 26 hours less

I can think of 146 things to talk about…..