15 years ago I had admiration for a player that I thought may have been one person who really understood what it meant to play SEC football and craved with all of his being to be a true Tennessee Volunteer. He understood that our brand of football in the south as a true religion. When I say a true Volunteer I think in the lines of Al Wilson, Dale Jones, Johnny Majors, Kevin Mays, Eric Berry and several other players that I know who would refuse to lose at all costs. But this one particular player went on the national stage and told everyone everywhere that it truly is, "Great to be a Tennessee Volunteer." He did it over and over again often making us think how special it is to be a Volunteer at UT and be from this great state, even though he was not from here. He appreciated the history of the program and displayed total class in promoting it.
At his last game in Neyland Stadium I was awed at how proud we were of him and thought that he probably could never perceive the love in that stadium after beating the crap out of Vanderbilt on that cloudy day. We witnessed something special that afternoon as he acknowledged every section of that stadium with his team mates before he left the field by waving that large power T orange flag in a salute. If you were not a Vol fan that day, you would have left as one. I felt a debt of gratitude to that player that afternoon that really helped me to understand why I have been such a Vol fan for so many years before and after his time here. Kids everywhere look up to him now.
At that particular time I thought that this was something special and we would probably never have an opportunity to benefit from his love as a Volunteer at this level again. BUT IF the rumors are true about his possible personal and financial involvement to help us raise up from the ash heap of the last 5-6 years then his love for this program is much greater than I ever realized during his playing days. AND that debt of gratitude that we owed him 15 years ago is small to what we owe him for his love now.
I know there are many people of means that are helping bail us out and I appreciate the sacrifice that each of them may be making for this program. I never understood how people can hate success in this country and it is hate I see. Most successful people are responsible and generous in many ways.
But Peyton Manning, you are truly a Vol for Life, and we appreciate you now more than ever. You are at a point in your life where you could watch the sports reports and laugh about what is happening in Knoxville. But your love for the program and the school and the tradition of SEC football would never allow that to happen. I know that you probably could care less about who gets the credit, but thanks for caring and helping us when we need it most. We will never forget!!!!
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