I went to Neyland Stadium. I watched the Vols!

[supersmo18]

This weekend was my 6 y/o’s first time at Neyland. He was jacked up after last weekend to get to go. He kept telling people at the stadium that we beat Alabama (even though that was a week ago). I didn’t mind. After a packed day, this kid bleeds orange more than ever.

The day included:
1) Vol Walk - he was pumped to give Hyatt and high-5, even more pumped to give Smokey one.
2) Vol Village - games and cheerleaders. He was pumped about both (my man)
3) Vol Shop - new shirt and foam finger (pretend to pick nose with it-classic)
4) Popcorn - massive bucket for fan fuel. (Bucket ended up as hat - another classic)
5) Vols win - Self-explanatory. Watch vols beat UT Martin.
6) Fell asleep on the way home holding foam finger.

Great day! Go Vols

I saw one young boy with a popcorn bucket on his head as I was leaving the stadium, walking to my car. He was sitting on the edge of a small hill, I wonder if that was him?? Looks like him in your pic from what I can remember

 

[Ashevillevol]

This weekend was my 6 y/o’s first time at Neyland. He was jacked up after last weekend to get to go. He kept telling people at the stadium that we beat Alabama (even though that was a week ago). I didn’t mind. After a packed day, this kid bleeds orange more than ever.

The day included:
1) Vol Walk - he was pumped to give Hyatt and high-5, even more pumped to give Smokey one.
2) Vol Village - games and cheerleaders. He was pumped about both (my man)
3) Vol Shop - new shirt and foam finger (pretend to pick nose with it-classic)
4) Popcorn - massive bucket for fan fuel. (Bucket ended up as hat - another classic)
5) Vols win - Self-explanatory. Watch vols beat UT Martin.
6) Fell asleep on the way home holding foam finger.

Great day! Go Vols

Not only your son, but there will come a time when you look back on it and think “this was one of my best days.” Cherish it.

 

[OrangeInKy]

Awesome!

I have 4 kids and started taking them to Vols games when they were 5. However, the first one is 2011, and all of their experiences at Neyland have been during the wilderness years. I so wanted them to fall in love with it as I did as a Kid, but they weren't seeing it at it's best. Now, kids are able to get a glimpse of the real Tennessee football experience, and it makes me so happy. They won't get to listen to John Ward call games while they play in the yard, or hear Bobby Dentons voice telling them not to get ripped off at concessions, but they are getting to see Neyland at its best and the Vols in contention. That's as it should be. My kids had fun when I took them when they were small, but it killed me that they couldn't see what I saw, instead seeing bad football and an apathetic and exhausted fanbase. I am so excited kids get to experience this and I am so excited you and your son had such a great day. He's going to cherish it as I know you will.

 

[AllVols]

Great story, thanks for sharing. Enjoy those days they will grow up so fast. Makes me miss mine. 2 don't have anything to do with me, and one is too busy with girls.

 

[number1volfanfrom76]

That was me in the 50's. I grew up out Chapman Hwy, in Colonial Village. There are very few bigger Vol fans than me. Start em out young and they'll learn the right way. I see some locals wearing bama hats only cause they wanna pull for the winners. Their blood ain"t Orange like mine!

 

[N.ohio vol]

That's what life is all about! Glad you had a great day!

 

[LargeOrange1]

This weekend was my 6 y/o’s first time at Neyland. He was jacked up after last weekend to get to go. He kept telling people at the stadium that we beat Alabama (even though that was a week ago). I didn’t mind. After a packed day, this kid bleeds orange more than ever.

The day included:
1) Vol Walk - he was pumped to give Hyatt and high-5, even more pumped to give Smokey one.
2) Vol Village - games and cheerleaders. He was pumped about both (my man)
3) Vol Shop - new shirt and foam finger (pretend to pick nose with it-classic)
4) Popcorn - massive bucket for fan fuel. (Bucket ended up as hat - another classic)
5) Vols win - Self-explanatory. Watch vols beat UT Martin.
6) Fell asleep on the way home holding foam finger.

Great day! Go Vols

I took my daughter yearly starting at age 9 driving from Atlanta...until she started college. Great memories.

 

[WoodsmanVol]

This weekend was my 6 y/o’s first time at Neyland. He was jacked up after last weekend to get to go. He kept telling people at the stadium that we beat Alabama (even though that was a week ago). I didn’t mind. After a packed day, this kid bleeds orange more than ever.
The day included:
1) Vol Walk - he was pumped to give Hyatt and high-5, even more pumped to give Smokey one.
2) Vol Village - games and cheerleaders. He was pumped about both (my man)
3) Vol Shop - new shirt and foam finger (pretend to pick nose with it-classic)
4) Popcorn - massive bucket for fan fuel. (Bucket ended up as hat - another classic)
5) Vols win - Self-explanatory. Watch vols beat UT Martin.
6) Fell asleep on the way home holding foam finger.
Great day! Go Vols

Fatherhood at its finest.

 

[Stoked]

Awesome!

I have 4 kids and started taking them to Vols games when they were 5. However, the first one is 2011, and all of their experiences at Neyland have been during the wilderness years. I so wanted them to fall in love with it as I did as a Kid, but they weren't seeing it at it's best. Now, kids are able to get a glimpse of the real Tennessee football experience, and it makes me so happy. They won't get to listen to John Ward call games while they play in the yard, or hear Bobby Dentons voice telling them not to get ripped off at concessions, but they are getting to see Neyland at its best and the Vols in contention. That's as it should be. My kids had fun when I took them when they were small, but it killed me that they couldn't see what I saw, instead seeing bad football and an apathetic and exhausted fanbase. I am so excited kids get to experience this and I am so excited you and your son had such a great day. He's going to cherish it as I know you will.

Sadly my daughter's first game was witnessing us lose to Vandy right after Butchie got fired and Hoke was the interim HC. This was also my wife's first game too. Can't wait to show them the complete opposite Saturday when we're whooping ass and taking names and Neyland is 100K+ and rocking!

I think think there were only around 83K there that day and it was sad to see the upper section so empty. I remember walking back to the car after that game so depressed, but slightly optimistic because we were getting a new coach. I was fully bought into the Grumors only to be let down by Schiano Sunday the next day... and well the rest is history. I got excited for the hiring of Fulmer, and bought into the fools gold that he would get us a real football coach, only to get kicked in the nads when he hired Asparagus Gump.

 

[NighthawkVol]

This weekend was my 6 y/o’s first time at Neyland. He was jacked up after last weekend to get to go. He kept telling people at the stadium that we beat Alabama (even though that was a week ago). I didn’t mind. After a packed day, this kid bleeds orange more than ever.

The day included:
1) Vol Walk - he was pumped to give Hyatt and high-5, even more pumped to give Smokey one.
2) Vol Village - games and cheerleaders. He was pumped about both (my man)
3) Vol Shop - new shirt and foam finger (pretend to pick nose with it-classic)
4) Popcorn - massive bucket for fan fuel. (Bucket ended up as hat - another classic)
5) Vols win - Self-explanatory. Watch vols beat UT Martin.
6) Fell asleep on the way home holding foam finger.

Great day! Go Vols

Good job, Dad.

My daughter is a freshman at the University of Cincinnati. She has gotten involved in a number of activities and is the student manager for the women's basketball program. She loves it and loves going to all their games, regardless of sport, but especially football.

However, a few weeks ago, she called me and said, "Dad, I miss Neyland Stadium." I've been taking her to games since she was a little kid. So we made arrangements for her to come down the Thursday before the Missouri game (she has no classes Friday for Veteran's Day) and we're going to drive over to Knoxville together for the game. My wife was kind enough to give up her ticket for that one so my baby girl can go with me. I can't wait.

These experiences just mean more when they're shared between kids and parents, regardless of age.

 

[OrangeInKy]

Sadly my daughter's first game was witnessing us lose to Vandy right after Butchie got fired and Hoke was the interim HC. This was also my wife's first game too. Can't wait to show them the complete opposite Saturday when we're whooping ass and taking names and Neyland is 100K+ and rocking!

I think think there were only around 83K there that day and it was sad to see the upper section so empty. I remember walking back to the car after that game so depressed, but slightly optimistic because we were getting a new coach. I was fully bought into the Grumors only to be let down by Schiano Sunday the next day... and well the rest is history. I got excited for the hiring of Fulmer, and bought into the fools gold that he would get us a real football coach, only to get kicked in the nads when he hired Asparagus Gump.

I had my kids there. The one Thing about that game I am grateful for is that John Ward showed up. His last game at Neyland we all got to show him how loved he is. We didn't know how close he was to the end (or I didn't at least), but it's clear that he did. I glad to be there for that. Other than that, it was miserable.

 

[Capt Straight]

Our 24 year old grandson graduated from Wyoming (he lives in TN though), but he bleeds orange through and through. The first game we took him to was an Alabama-TN game which we won. I remember him asking all kinds of questions about why's and how's of the game. He and I went to Florida game this year, and it was my turn to ask questions. LOL

 

[Alto1]

This is what life is all about……..

 

[Volbackhomefromtx]

My daughter was 7 and my son was 5 when they saw their first game at Neyland. That game was Peyton Manning's last home game in 1997 and both were beyond awed by the experience. Fast forward to today and my daughter and son are both UT grads as are their spouses, living in Tennessee, and going to games at Neyland. The best of times!

 

[RavinDave]

That was me in the 50's. I grew up out Chapman Hwy, in Colonial Village. There are very few bigger Vol fans than me. Start em out young and they'll learn the right way. I see some locals wearing bama hats only cause they wanna pull for the winners. Their blood ain"t Orange like mine!

I grew up in Colonial Village as well. Wonder if our paths may have crossed.

 

[vegasvolfan]

This weekend was my 6 y/o’s first time at Neyland. He was jacked up after last weekend to get to go. He kept telling people at the stadium that we beat Alabama (even though that was a week ago). I didn’t mind. After a packed day, this kid bleeds orange more than ever.

The day included:
1) Vol Walk - he was pumped to give Hyatt and high-5, even more pumped to give Smokey one.
2) Vol Village - games and cheerleaders. He was pumped about both (my man)
3) Vol Shop - new shirt and foam finger (pretend to pick nose with it-classic)
4) Popcorn - massive bucket for fan fuel. (Bucket ended up as hat - another classic)
5) Vols win - Self-explanatory. Watch vols beat UT Martin.
6) Fell asleep on the way home holding foam finger.

Great day! Go Vols

That's awesome thank you for sharing.

 

[Orangeredblooded]

This weekend was my 6 y/o’s first time at Neyland. He was jacked up after last weekend to get to go. He kept telling people at the stadium that we beat Alabama (even though that was a week ago). I didn’t mind. After a packed day, this kid bleeds orange more than ever.

The day included:
1) Vol Walk - he was pumped to give Hyatt and high-5, even more pumped to give Smokey one.
2) Vol Village - games and cheerleaders. He was pumped about both (my man)
3) Vol Shop - new shirt and foam finger (pretend to pick nose with it-classic)
4) Popcorn - massive bucket for fan fuel. (Bucket ended up as hat - another classic)
5) Vols win - Self-explanatory. Watch vols beat UT Martin.
6) Fell asleep on the way home holding foam finger.

Great day! Go Vols

I don’t usually wander into the FF, but I did. As an ole grandma VOL fan. I got misty eyed by your post. I want the same for my grandson.

 

[LordVOLdemort]

My wife and I took our 6 year old for his first game as well. He’s talked about it nonstop since Saturday. He had an amazing time and is the most diehard Vols fan I know.

 

[Volprofch05]

Awesome!

I have 4 kids and started taking them to Vols games when they were 5. However, the first one is 2011, and all of their experiences at Neyland have been during the wilderness years. I so wanted them to fall in love with it as I did as a Kid, but they weren't seeing it at it's best. Now, kids are able to get a glimpse of the real Tennessee football experience, and it makes me so happy. They won't get to listen to John Ward call games while they play in the yard, or hear Bobby Dentons voice telling them not to get ripped off at concessions, but they are getting to see Neyland at its best and the Vols in contention. That's as it should be. My kids had fun when I took them when they were small, but it killed me that they couldn't see what I saw, instead seeing bad football and an apathetic and exhausted fanbase. I am so excited kids get to experience this and I am so excited you and your son had such a great day. He's going to cherish it as I know you will.

Yep, my older son was at the Georgia State game (age 8) and then at the Bama game (age 11). So glad he was able to see things come full circle!

 

[livefaith]

Put up 52 on Bama in 1st half ... No need to tell him otherwise.

I remember my dad taking me to the Bama game @ 1976 or 78. We got routed, but I'll never forget it. I'd give anything to have him back for 1 more. Good job dad!

 

[livefaith]

Yep, my older son was at the Georgia State game (age 8) and then at the Bama game (age 11). So glad he was able to see things come full circle!

Gosh, you can't contrast much more than that.

 

[Iam4utalways]

Good times.

 

[OrangeInKy]

Gosh, you can't contrast much more than that.

it's like one of those "how it started" "how it's going" memes.

 

[jbradley1382]

My wife and I took our 6 year old for his first game as well. He’s talked about it nonstop since Saturday. He had an amazing time and is the most diehard Vols fan I know.

Haha this is great! Looks like our sons had a very similar experience. Go Vols!

 

[tennrich1]

I love it. Training up a child in the way he should go is more than the first obligation of Godliness, but includes times just like this with a father spending his day with his little man.

I thought the same thing. If we had more fathers doing things like this…. What a different world we’d have! How do kids spell LOVE?… TIME!