Please let this be our program’s culture…

[Hank Bukowski]

I shamelessly stole this from Troy Polamalu’s HOF induction speech (at least I think that was the setting):

“The only approval any Volunteer should seek is to earn the approval of previous legends who have donned the orange and white. And if you really earn their respect, they’ll say ‘You could have played with us.’”

Roland James, Anthony Hancock, Willie Gault, Condredge Holloway, Haskel Stanback, Al Wilson, Peyton, Tee, Hendon, and all the others who made me lose my voice from screaming in joy…thinking of you.

 

[Hank Bukowski]

I shamelessly stole this from Troy Polamalu’s HOF induction speech (at least I think that was the setting):

“The only approval any Volunteer should seek is to earn the approval of previous legends who have donned the orange and white. And if you really earn their respect, they’ll say ‘You could have played with us.’”

Roland James, Anthony Hancock, Willie Gault, Condredge Holloway, Haskel Stanback, Al Wilson, Peyton, Tee, Hendon, and all the others who made me lose my voice from screaming in joy…thinking of you.

https://youtube.com/shorts/zl88DFLxC4k?feature=share

 

[VOLfrombama]

If you can earn Al Wilson's respect, then you are golden.

 

[Golfprovol]

I shamelessly stole this from Troy Polamalu’s HOF induction speech (at least I think that was the setting):

“The only approval any Volunteer should seek is to earn the approval of previous legends who have donned the orange and white. And if you really earn their respect, they’ll say ‘You could have played with us.’”

Roland James, Anthony Hancock, Willie Gault, Condredge Holloway, Haskel Stanback, Al Wilson, Peyton, Tee, Hendon, and all the others who made me lose my voice from screaming in joy…thinking of you.

You forgot Neyland, Majors, Clausen, Shular, Price, Lewis, Atkins, White, Colquitt, Berry, Carter, Bates, Henderson, Clifton, Grant,....just to name a few......

 

[Golfprovol]

You forgot Neyland, Majors, Clausen, Shular, Price, Lewis, Atkins, White, Colquitt, Berry, Carter, Bates, Henderson, Clifton, Grant,....just to name a few......

Ainge, Coleman, Foster, Pickens, Garner, Whitten, Scott, Delong, Stevens, Seivers, Mcgee, Graham, Wilson, Reviez, Little Man, Johnnie Jones, Nash, Little, Henry.......I could go on and that is just football.....

 

[Delmar]

Love the sentiment but I’ve come to terms with the fact that those days are gone. There will still be players that want to wear the Orange because their parents raised them on it. But these days, it’s most likely going to be the team that pays the most NIL money or there is opportunity for early playing time or they like the style being played. Right now UT is positioned well to offer all three areas. But I’m not going to sit around and worry about them having love and loyalty to dear old UT, history or past players or current teammates. That is long gone. Welcome to “college” football 2023.

 

[VolFreakJosh]

Love the sentiment but I’ve come to terms with the fact that those days are gone. There will still be players that want to wear the Orange because their parents raised them on it. But these days, it’s most likely going to be the team that pays the most NIL money or there is opportunity for early playing time or they like the style being played. Right now UT is positioned well to offer all three areas. But I’m not going to sit around and worry about them having love and loyalty to dear old UT, history or past players or current teammates. That is long gone. Welcome to “college” football 2023.

College Football is basically the NFL now

 

[VOLtaism]

College Football is basically the NFL now

The minor leagues.

 

[Voltopia]

Love the sentiment but I’ve come to terms with the fact that those days are gone. There will still be players that want to wear the Orange because their parents raised them on it. But these days, it’s most likely going to be the team that pays the most NIL money or there is opportunity for early playing time or they like the style being played. Right now UT is positioned well to offer all three areas. But I’m not going to sit around and worry about them having love and loyalty to dear old UT, history or past players or current teammates. That is long gone. Welcome to “college” football 2023.

Yes, and with this, the decline of college football. When loyalty and respect for tradition turn into a one way street, they will very quickly become a no way street.

The speech was certainly nice, but the only thing kids will pay that sort of talk now is lip service.

 

[Hank Bukowski]

You forgot Neyland, Majors, Clausen, Shular, Price, Lewis, Atkins, White, Colquitt, Berry, Carter, Bates, Henderson, Clifton, Grant,....just to name a few......

Brother, I didn’t forget them at all, just not enough time or space to list them all here. I think even Freak has limits.

 

[Hank Bukowski]

Love the sentiment but I’ve come to terms with the fact that those days are gone. There will still be players that want to wear the Orange because their parents raised them on it. But these days, it’s most likely going to be the team that pays the most NIL money or there is opportunity for early playing time or they like the style being played. Right now UT is positioned well to offer all three areas. But I’m not going to sit around and worry about them having love and loyalty to dear old UT, history or past players or current teammates. That is long gone. Welcome to “college” football 2023.

I sorely hope some of our current and future players prove you wrong but I am afraid you are right.

 

[Enki_Amenra]

If you can earn Al Wilson's respect, then you are golden.

If you can earn R. Kelly's respect, then you're golden showered.

 

[Grouse Stalker]

Love the sentiment but I’ve come to terms with the fact that those days are gone. There will still be players that want to wear the Orange because their parents raised them on it. But these days, it’s most likely going to be the team that pays the most NIL money or there is opportunity for early playing time or they like the style being played. Right now UT is positioned well to offer all three areas. But I’m not going to sit around and worry about them having love and loyalty to dear old UT, history or past players or current teammates. That is long gone. Welcome to “college” football 2023.

NIL is playing a role but a track record developing guys for the NFL is what reigns Supreme. The Top 4 programs with players currently in the NFL are Alabama, LSU, OSU, and Georgia. Is that a surprise? Look at how each has recruited the last 6 years. Those teams keep sending guys to the pros, so the top recruits follow in pursuit of the same dream.

 

[Grouse Stalker]

If you can earn R. Kelly's respect, then you're golden showered.

R. Kelly was convicted of sex crimes against children.

 

[Delmar]

I sorely hope some of our current and future players prove you wrong but I am afraid you are right.

Agreed. But I’ve been watching and listening for over 50 years and it is definitely trending toward NFL Lite. There has always been hundred dollar handshakes and teams buying players. (Yes even among our own.) The players now however are simply mercenaries and this is now 100% business to them too. The sooner folks come to grips with that the better off they’ll be.

 

[Delmar]

NIL is playing a role but a track record developing guys for the NFL is what reigns Supreme. The Top 4 programs with players currently in the NFL are Alabama, LSU, OSU, and Georgia. Is that a surprise? Look at how each has recruited the last 6 years. Those teams keep sending guys to the pros, so the top recruits follow in pursuit of the same dream.

Georgia Troll. You are within one comment of getting the Ignore button.

 

[Grouse Stalker]

Georgia Troll. You are within one comment of getting the Ignore button.

Go for it. It was just a factually accurate observation regarding how hard it is to break the recruiting momentum of the top programs and what drives some recruiting decisions. That's too much for you? If recruiting is about NIL money then it is certainly also about professional earnings. Sorry if you are incapable of an intellectually honest discussion of CFB.

 

[Iam4utalways]

There are still kids that are being raised to bleed Orange and will go on to play for the Vols and give all.

It’s hurts to lose a recruit that was born and raised a Vol because of coaching. I think JH has stopped that.

 

[JustFunnN'Orange]

You can add Dale Jones to that list also!

 

[Tman44]

Georgia Troll. You are within one comment of getting the Ignore button.

Never ignore anyone. Just thank the Lord that your brain works. When you see that type of stuff, just shake your head and think to yourself, "Bless his heart."

 

[kcvols1]

If you can earn R. Kelly's respect, then you're golden showered.

R. Kelly was convicted of sex crimes against children.

Still funny, bud.

 

[K-town Vol Fan]

Yes, and with this, the decline of college football.

Yeah, it was much better when we could just give Bama the trophy after week 1 every year.

 

[savannahfan]

Love the sentiment but I’ve come to terms with the fact that those days are gone. There will still be players that want to wear the Orange because their parents raised them on it. But these days, it’s most likely going to be the team that pays the most NIL money or there is opportunity for early playing time or they like the style being played. Right now UT is positioned well to offer all three areas. But I’m not going to sit around and worry about them having love and loyalty to dear old UT, history or past players or current teammates. That is long gone. Welcome to “college” football 2023.

Hate to say it - - But I agree - - -

 

[KTrain]

The minor leagues.

Yeah, the Minor leagues, it's a lot like Baseball if you think about it.

The Rookie leagues= get enough to live on= the lower tier never play in NFL player, low totem NIL.

Then you have double A= were some are bound for NFL some not these are the ones that may stay their Senior year because a good NIL is better than the NFL cup of coffee. A graduation and good NIL will suffice for them until they know more.

Then you have the Triple A= 5 star & high 4Star players who get up to a million NIL and wait until it's basically a sure thing to go out early It. is a Quasi NFL Minor league while acting like you're going to college with loaded tutors & collectives are paying the NIL and NFL & Agents are laughing all the way to the BANK$$$ .
JMO but I'll still watch for the time being

 

[franklinboy]

I shamelessly stole this from Troy Polamalu’s HOF induction speech (at least I think that was the setting):

“The only approval any Volunteer should seek is to earn the approval of previous legends who have donned the orange and white. And if you really earn their respect, they’ll say ‘You could have played with us.’”

Roland James, Anthony Hancock, Willie Gault, Condredge Holloway, Haskel Stanback, Al Wilson, Peyton, Tee, Hendon, and all the others who made me lose my voice from screaming in joy…thinking of you.

Jesse Maholena was a hell of a DT before his knee gave him problem.s probably would've won the Outland trophy if his knee wouldn't had gotten hurt so badly....