Talk to us about.....a defensive legend.

[DeusExMachina]

As stated in the initial thread: there are cultures that use word-of-mouth to not only remember their past, but also to inform and instruct their future. I'm positive that there have been stories of General Neyland, Beattie Feathers, and George Cafego passed down from grandparents to some on here, and those stories are passed down to younger generations even to this day. These threads are an attempt to remember our past players, with stories from those that have seen them in person. While not a true oral history, this (hopefully) will allow them to be seen and enjoyed by future generations of Volunteers, who may only know the name but not the full exploits......or as a gentleman by the name of Paul Harvey used to say: "now you know the rest of the story".

To date, there have been exactly eight former Volunteers who have had their number permanently (or semi-permanently in one case) retired. The names of Peyton Manning, Doug Atkins, and Johnny Majors are known, revered, and beloved by most, if not all, of Vol Nation. The four "Ultimate Volunteers" that gave their lives for our country (Bill Nowling, Clyde "Ig" Fuson, Rudy Klarer, and Willis Tucker) during World War II join the others, and their story has been told by a far greater author than I, in the personage of @OneManGang (OMG, I would be honored if you would link that particular thread).

This thread is to tell the story of the last number on that list. 16, 32, 45, 49, 61, 62 and 91 all have their own stories, but I can't seem to remember seeing much about a gentleman who had a sterling career on Rocky Top, and parlayed that into an even better NFL career, and a posthumous first-ballot Hall of Fame selection.

So, I ask of y'all that saw him play live, or met him in person: talk to us about Reggie White.

 

[74charger]

IMO, he was the best DL to ever play at Tennessee and maybe anywhere!

 

[Orange.]

Some highlights:

 

[Orange.]

Fans would chant his name at Neyland when he made a play: "Reggie! Reggie! Reggie!"

 

[NorCalVol67]

And on the tackle
Number 92
The Minister of Defense
Reggie White

 

[onevol74]

I will never forget sitting in KK that night when he blew up that LSU running back as he was just taking the handoff. One of the most dramatic plays ever in Neyland.

 

[Ratvol]

Reggie said after a game with Memphis. Memphis OL was cursing UT and Reggie was quoting scripture.
Reggie White was simply the best.

Go VOLS

 

[Volnut]

I used to take binoculars and just focus them on him. He would toss blockers away like rag dolls.

 

[volunator]

Thing of beauty to see a man get double and triple teamed, and still pancake a QB.

 

[Hacksaw]

I was a freshman in '83, Reggie's senior year. I recall that at one of the home games that year (maybe homecoming?), he was scheduled to lead the crowd in the on-field benediction prior to the game. This was a normal part of the pregame festivities and was non-denominational (I assume by some sort of agreement). Reggie, being a devout Christian and an ordained minister, was asked prior to the game if he planned to avoid mentioning Jesus Christ in his pregame prayer. As gameday approached, there was what felt like an attempt by some to stir-up controversy over this on campus. I think the Beacon got involved. When gameday came, Reggie led the crowd in the prayer, mentioned Jesus Christ and said Amen. The game went on and the whole thing seemed to fade away pretty quickly (at least by my recollection). Some others may recall more details about this.

Sat a few rows in front of him at Stokely during a basketball game. I recall that the McKenzie brothers and Johnnie Jones were with him (probably some other players I didn't recognize or whose names I've forgotten).

He was fun to watch on Saturdays in Neyland. A true VFL legend.

 

[orangebloodgmc]

'83 was my first year in grad school at LSU, so I was watching Vols host LSU on TV at a Baton Rouge pizza joint, and I was trying to keep a low profile.

But I had to holler when Reggie White beat his blocker so quick and head-on-collisioned Dalton Hilliard just as he was getting the hand-off.

 

[over60vol]

IMO, he was the best DL to ever play at Tennessee and maybe anywhere!

Doug Atkins was right there with him.

 

[PACKERVOL]

You probably couldn't guess that Reggie White is my all time favorite Vol. I've seen him just explode between a guard and tackle that were 'supposed to' double team him, and I've seen him take only his outside arm (right or left depending the side of the line he was on), and literally throw/push huge OT's to the ground toward the sideline as he took a clear inside rush to the QB. That's just the football player. Throw in the man he was outside of football, and that's why he is my all time favorite Vol & Green Bay Packer.

 

[feathersax]

Doug Atkins was right there with him.

Never saw Big Doug play, but by all reports he's above all.

 

[morristown vol]

Watched him play many times at Neyland.Need to show his tape to our young guys

 

[Frozevol]

I took Black Studies (that’s what it was called then) with Reggie and the McKenzie brothers. It was funny to watch those guys try to squeeze into their desks. They were not good students in fact one of the McKenzies drew war pictures all during class. Reggie would be very attentive and tried really hard. He was always very respectful and genuine. All three of them made Ds on the mid term but obviously ended up passing. I think the prof wanted to let them know she wasn’t going to pass them just because they were football players.

 

[1Big_Orange_Fan]

Don't know if anyone has seen this clip before but it's a classic story of Reggie.

Brett Favre shares favorite Reggie White story - YouTube

 

[peaygolf]

Never saw Big Doug play, but by all reports he's above all.

Quite possibly, the baddest man to ever wear the Orange and White. At 6’8”, Atkins arrived in Knoxville on a basketball scholarship, but General Neyland saw his size and athleticism, and convinced him to play football. Playing defensive end, Atkins helped the Vols to an 11-1 record and a Cotton Bowl win over Texas in 1950. The Vols defense shutout six teams his sophomore season. In 1951, Doug’s ferocious rush helped UT lead the nation in pass defense, as the Vols went undefeated in the regular season and were named National Champions of 1951. The defense had five shutouts and Atkins was named 1st Team All-SEC. In 1952, Atkins was even more dominant. The Vols finished 8-2-1, and Atkins was named 1st Team All-SEC and unanimous 1st Team All-American.

How dominant was Atkins at Tennessee? Atkins was selected SEC Player of the Quarter Century (1950-74) and was the only unanimous choice on the team. Often, offensive plays were simply run to the other side of the field. At the same time, Atkins proved mobile and agile enough to backpeddle from his defensive end position to cover a receiver stride for stride if Neyland’s defensive call so dictated. A skilled defensive end as a sophomore and junior, he moved to defensive tackle his senior year. Atkins was also a threat to use his height and vertical leap to swat a quarterback’s passes out of the air, intercepting 3 of them. Atkins also played one season of basketball for UT and was a three year letterman in track and field, where his specialty was the high jump where he was SEC runner up in 1952. Atkins would be a 1st round pick by the Browns and helped win an NFL championship in 1954. He was traded to the Bears and became one of the most successful pass rushers in NFL history. Atkins is a member of both the NFL and College Football Halls of Fame. Many historians regard Atkins as not only the greatest Volunteer of all time, but a top 5 SEC player of all time.

 

[Mccage]

My old ball coach probably known to none on here played for the General and was one of the flaming sophomores in the class of 28. He was one of Neyland‘s favorites. He left the head of Swedons Cove with $5 in his pocket and hitch hiked to Knoxville. He played tackle starting both ways. He had a injury to an eye causing it to appear crossed while wrestling. He also earned the distinction of being KING on the Hill for wrestling any takers who challenged him. He was one tough ole bird who played with the likes of Bobby Dodd, Gene McEvers, and Buddy Hackman. In 28 they went 9 and 0 with one tie. In the 3 years he played they lost 1 game and tied twice. They won 27 games. His name was Phil Beene.

 

[StarRaider]

Reggie's Howard Hustlin' Tiger teammate and best friend Charles Morgan was considered the better player when Majors was recruiting the duo to The Hill

 

[wmcovol]

IMO, he was the best DL to ever play at Tennessee and maybe anywhere!

I was just a young kid watching Doug Atkins with the Monsters of the Midway beat my NY Giants (I was a mantle fan so I pulled for all NY teams back then). It was pretty clear Big Doug was the best at DE ever back then. 6-8, 275lbs. He’d dominate today.

Reggie White woke up one day in 1983 I guess and realized he could dominate. And he basically did the rest of his career. He played MG a lot in Buddy Ryan’s defense. Good luck getting a DE to do that today. Reggie could have set records that would never be broke if he’d played his entire career in the NFL and didn’t play inside some. Still the gold standard

Yeah I’m biased but those are the 2 greatest DL to ever play in the NFL. Both former Vols.

 

[TennEddie]

A man among boys.
Same with Doug Atkins.

 

[peaygolf]

My old ball coach probably known to none on here played for the General and was one of the flaming sophomores in the class of 28. He was one of Neyland‘s favorites. He left the head of Swedons Cove with $5 in his pocket and hitch hiked to Knoxville. He played tackle starting both ways. He had a injury to an eye causing it to appear crossed while wrestling. He also earned the distinction of being KING on the Hill for wrestling any takers who challenged him. He was one tough ole bird who played with the likes of Bobby Dodd, Gene McEvers, and Buddy Hackman. In 28 they went 9 and 0 with one tie. In the 3 years he played they lost 1 game and tied twice. They won 27 games. His name was Phil Beene.

Beene, Lemuel Philip « Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame

 

[Hacksaw]

My old ball coach probably known to none on here played for the General and was one of the flaming sophomores in the class of 28. He was one of Neyland‘s favorites. He left the head of Swedons Cove with $5 in his pocket and hitch hiked to Knoxville. He played tackle starting both ways. He had a injury to an eye causing it to appear crossed while wrestling. He also earned the distinction of being KING on the Hill for wrestling any takers who challenged him. He was one tough ole bird who played with the likes of Bobby Dodd, Gene McEvers, and Buddy Hackman. In 28 they went 9 and 0 with one tie. In the 3 years he played they lost 1 game and tied twice. They won 27 games. His name was Phil Beene.

Great personal remembrance, even if it wasn't about Reggie.

 

[CAVPUT]

Quite possibly, the baddest man to ever wear the Orange and White. At 6’8”, Atkins arrived in Knoxville on a basketball scholarship, but General Neyland saw his size and athleticism, and convinced him to play football. Playing defensive end, Atkins helped the Vols to an 11-1 record and a Cotton Bowl win over Texas in 1950. The Vols defense shutout six teams his sophomore season. In 1951, Doug’s ferocious rush helped UT lead the nation in pass defense, as the Vols went undefeated in the regular season and were named National Champions of 1951. The defense had five shutouts and Atkins was named 1st Team All-SEC. In 1952, Atkins was even more dominant. The Vols finished 8-2-1, and Atkins was named 1st Team All-SEC and unanimous 1st Team All-American.

How dominant was Atkins at Tennessee? Atkins was selected SEC Player of the Quarter Century (1950-74) and was the only unanimous choice on the team. Often, offensive plays were simply run to the other side of the field. At the same time, Atkins proved mobile and agile enough to backpeddle from his defensive end position to cover a receiver stride for stride if Neyland’s defensive call so dictated. A skilled defensive end as a sophomore and junior, he moved to defensive tackle his senior year. Atkins was also a threat to use his height and vertical leap to swat a quarterback’s passes out of the air, intercepting 3 of them. Atkins also played one season of basketball for UT and was a three year letterman in track and field, where his specialty was the high jump where he was SEC runner up in 1952. Atkins would be a 1st round pick by the Browns and helped win an NFL championship in 1954. He was traded to the Bears and became one of the most successful pass rushers in NFL history. Atkins is a member of both the NFL and College Football Halls of Fame. Many historians regard Atkins as not only the greatest Volunteer of all time, but a top 5 SEC player of all time.

Yep. There was a thread about the legend a while back that was entertaining to say the least.
The Legendary Exploits of Doug Atkins: Must Reading for young Vol Fans

One story I remember...but the names escape me...involve a rookie trying to block him in training camp. On the first play, Atkins just abused him. The coach told the rookie to get lower. The next play Atkins once again destroyed him. The coach told the rookie to get even lower. On the third play, Atkins jumped over the rookie and destroyed the quarterback. The rookie looked to his coach and asked him what he was supposed to do now. The coach replied..."applaud him".

One other story that I remember involved a dispute between Halas and Atkins. Halas made Atkins run laps after the argument and insisted he wear his helmet. Atkins was seen running with his helmet on and nothing else....naked. Reportedly he was the only player Dick Butkus feared. Same for Unitas. When those 2 guys are afraid, you've got a bad man. Considering he brought weapons with him to training camp and his jogging buddy was his pit bull Rebel, I'd say he was a man you didn't cross.