Talk to us about (version 13)

[DeusExMachina]

While doing research for this "episode", one word kept popping up repeatedly. However, revealing that particular word would probably give away this week's topic of conversation, so I'll leave it up to y'all to share your thoughts on this particular former wearer of the Orange and White.

1977 and 1978 saw a young wide receiver from Griffin, Georgia become a two-time all-state selection, and '78 saw the young wide receiver lead his team to the 4A state championship. 1979, however, saw him take his talents 259 miles (almost due) north, to the University of Tennessee. His freshman year passed without a lot of fanfare, there were catches here and there that showed glimpses of what was to come.

The young WR's sophomore season definitely showed what was to come, as the yards came in bunches, as did the kick returns for touchdowns. One in particular against Pitt gave the Vols their only touchdown of the game, and then he went back-to-back in the final two games of the season against hated rivals Kentucky and Vanderbilt.

I could list all the young WR's accomplishments, but one in particular stood out to me over the others: over his time in Pantone 151, he had more kickoff return yards (1,854) than he did receiving yards (1,482). 1982 saw the young WR selected as an All-American and an All-SEC selection as well as finalizing his career in Knoxville (I may have failed to mention that he was an absolute WEAPON for Vol Track) as an 11-time Track and Field All-American.

I don't doubt that y'all already know who this episode is about, so let me just end this here so y'all can talk to us about Willie Gault.

 

[DuckInAPen]

Before my time, but I know he ran all the way to the state capitol.

If I recall correctly, his likeness (or a caricature thereof) was featured on some of those large souvenir cups that Neyland sold drinks in during the '85 season.

 

[NorCalVol67]

One of my absolute favorite Vols.

My Dad and I were sitting in the end zone where he caught the kickoff on that return against Pitt. Then the extra point was missed.

Little known fact, he was fast.

 

[peaygolf]

"Continuing with Tennessee football’s tradition of being Wide Receiver U, Willie Gault was one of the first guys to make that a notable thing under Johnny Majors in the early 1980s. Gault arrived in 1979 and played sparingly, catching just three passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. However, for him, speed was the name of the game, and he became deadly as a result.

Moving away from his receiving for a minute, Gault really stood out as a return specialist. After returning just six punts and three kickoffs as a freshman, he broke out in this field as a sophomore, returning three kickoffs for touchdowns. In 1981, Gault built on that by averaging over 12 yards per punt return and running one of those back for a touchdown.
Now, he had 240 receiving yards and 479 receiving yards respectively in 1980 and 1981 with one and then four touchdowns, but his return abilities are what made him stand out. Still, he was seen as a versatile weapon overall. Then, as a senior, he was able to excel on both fronts, becoming an All-American in the process.
In 1982, Gault caught 50 passes for 668 yards and four touchdowns, he averaged over seven yards per punt return and he returned a kickoff for a touchdown. As a result, he finished his career with four kickoff return touchdowns and a punt return touchdown, and he had nearly 1,500 receiving yards with 10 touchdowns. Simply put, he did it all."

 

[OffTackleVol]

While doing research for this "episode", one word kept popping up repeatedly. However, revealing that particular word would probably give away this week's topic of conversation, so I'll leave it up to y'all to share your thoughts on this particular former wearer of the Orange and White.

1977 and 1978 saw a young wide receiver from Griffin, Georgia become a two-time all-state selection, and '78 saw the young wide receiver lead his team to the 4A state championship. 1979, however, saw him take his talents 259 miles (almost due) north, to the University of Tennessee. His freshman year passed without a lot of fanfare, there were catches here and there that showed glimpses of what was to come.

The young WR's sophomore season definitely showed what was to come, as the yards came in bunches, as did the kick returns for touchdowns. One in particular against Pitt gave the Vols their only touchdown of the game, and then he went back-to-back in the final two games of the season against hated rivals Kentucky and Vanderbilt.

I could list all the young WR's accomplishments, but one in particular stood out to me over the others: over his time in Pantone 151, he had more kickoff return yards (1,854) than he did receiving yards (1,482). 1982 saw the young WR selected as an All-American and an All-SEC selection as well as finalizing his career in Knoxville (I may have failed to mention that he was an absolute WEAPON for Vol Track) as an 11-time Track and Field All-American.

I don't doubt that y'all already know who this episode is about, so let me just end this here so y'all can talk to us about Willie Gault.

Had a couple of classes with Willie while at UT. Good dude, always seemed to be smiling.

 

[savannahfan]

Legends usually grow with time. With Willie, time has no effect on his accomplishments. They
speak loudly in their truest memories he made for all Vol fans.

 

[orangebloodgmc]

When he took one to the house, I loved to hear how John Ward said it: "Willie ... GAULT!"

 

[WoodsmanVol]

Call him, Willie.
Smokehouse Willie.
The one and only Willie Gault.
Ran so fast, his chasers choked.
In the dusty cloud of his smoke.
Willie, Willie, Smokehouse Willie.
The one and only Willie Gault.

 

[Fightmaker]

I once read that Willie Gault had to wrap a towel around his face under his helmet when playing in the hardest winter stadiums in his NFL days. The reason being was that he could reach top speed so quickly, that they were afraid the sudden burst of frigid air would freeze inside his lungs.

 

[ksgovols]

I was there (kinda) when John Ward said Willie Gault was running all the way to the state capitol. At Vandy, 2nd half kick. I wasn't in my seat yet from visiting the concession stand. He could really take the top off of the defense. Alan Cockrell did the best job of getting it there I thought. Willie Gault could have had 50 touchdowns in last years offense!

 

[knoxvol52]

I was there (kinda) when John Ward said Willie Gault was running all the way to the state capitol. At Vandy, 2nd half kick. I wasn't in my seat yet from visiting the concession stand. He could really take the top off of the defense. Alan Cockrell did the best job of getting it there I thought. Willie Gault could have had 50 touchdowns in last years offense!

1st round draft pick of Chicago Bears

 

[blackflag]

I remember he cross trained in ballet to help with balance and flexibilty and I'm pretty sure he even danced once with the Chicago Ballet while with the Bears.

 

[GAVol]

Saw him at a golf tournament a few years ago when he was inducted in to the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. He would have been about 60 at the time and looked to be in his 40s. It was amazing.

 

[ksgovols]

1st round draft pick of Chicago Bears

He's in the Super Bowl Shuffle video.

 

[Mustng959]

Also, as I recall he was an Olympian on a 4 man bobsled team in 1988 as well as an Olympian in track and field for the 1980 boycotted team that didn't go to Moscow. Check of a VFL!

 

[DeusExMachina]

(*for the record, the word I didn't mention in the lead-in to this?? SPEED.*)

 

[GAVol]

He's in the Super Bowl Shuffle video.

Man, I had totally forgotten about that. He’s literally the guy that had the idea to put the thing together lol.

 

[GAVol]

If you want to know how far rap music has come… this got nominated for a Grammy in 1986.