The only VFL from now on

[Rocky Top T]

The best and the worst thing are the fans.

You can say the same thing about every fan base that is passionate about their team

 

[utvolpj]

Yeah true. Its usage by fans sky rocketed when the program started. Now the fans try and be gatekeepers.

I think that's the key point. Fans can run around and call themselves vfl all they want if it makes then feel connected. However, I think the guys who've actually worn the uniform would have a much different opinion on what it means. It's not the fans responsibility to grant or remove vfl status. That's just ridiculous

 

[VolFreakJosh]

You can say the same thing about every fan base that is passionate about their team

There’s a huge difference between being passionate and stupid

 

[General Jack]

I expect fan engagement to slowly erode because of all this. Players can do what’s best for them but so can the fans. The transiency is just becoming too much to swallow. The NFL puts a better product on the field and those guys are professionals not kids. And they are committed and bound through contracts.

 

[stolitonic]

No way I ditch All-American Burger for Captain Hook’s Fish and Chips! I don’t like their uniforms, even if it marks me as representative of the company.

View attachment 710426

Well, we can't all be close personal friends of Dennis Taylor like you are man

Just be careful at All American Burger. I had a breakfast there a whole back that was way undercooked

 

[stolitonic]

It's not that serious man. It's not like they're defecting to the KGB or the CCP

It's even worse man. One of them may go to Bama.......

 

[RockyTop603]

Wasn’t sure if was him or Butch.

Yes Dooley started VFL and that’s the only good thing from him…lol

 

[VFL-82-JP]

VFL had nothing to do with fans

VFL _started_ with the fans. Even before they were fans of football. Back when they were simply fans of this new state, this idea and lifestyle.

Then young men started coming to a campus in the eastern part of the state, and eventually found out about the game of football from up north.

Then they started playing hard. Bleeding, blowing snot bubbles through the pain on frigidly cold Saturday afternoons. And over time, the moniker Volunteer for Life came to mean even more for the lads who stayed true their entire college stay. VFL shifted to their shoulders, even more than the fans.

Somewhere in there, some coach took credit for the idea by incorporating a returning player program into the mix, and sticking that VFL tag on it. But "VFL" the idea, if not the acronym, was here long before he did that.

Lately, it has been shifting back the other way. The players are more professional (in every sense), and therefore a bit less loyal. Less true to anything bigger than themselves. So, the idea of lifelong loyalty and devotion shifts back toward us fans.

That's okay. It's just the evolution of the sport, in both directions.

Go Vols!

 

[wmcovol]

The best thing about Tennessee sports are the fans. Not everyone drinks beer, eating potato chips and sitting on a couch. I have invested a lot of time and money into supporting Tennessee and so has many others. The fans always do their part, even when the team doesn't sometimes.

I didn’t graduate from Tennessee but I’ve donated more money to the school that the vast majority of those I know who did. The program wouldn’t be anything close to what is is if it were only for students & alums

 

[Butch s]

It's likely that from now on that the term VFL will mostly be applied to fans and former players. Most (I said most) of a recruiting class will not be on campus after a few seasons. The fans are Tennessee's greatest thing going and will get let down the most. Many fans that live month to month buy tickets to watch millionaire's play is ridiculous. How long will we care if it continues down this road.

I don’t even see a need for recruiting anymore. Just rent a kid for a year

 

[Butch s]

Fans heart being given for the team?

How many of you have sweat, bled, or been injuries for Tennessee football?

It’s easy to drink beer, eat potato chips and give your all for Tennessee on your couch. It’s a lot different to do it on the field.

We have the best fans in college football imo but for a lot of these kids football is a business. Most care about their teammates, most care about the coaches and the program but they also care about making money. Coaches, tv, universities, everyone else are being paid billions of course the players are going to want a share and want to negotiate their best share.

A lot of people are raising hell about the few players that left; the vast majority of the team is still here and are dedicated to making this program elite.

What year did you play?

 

[The Original Fade]

Man y'all acting like you wouldn't quit and go to a competitor if they offered you more money than your current employer.

Why do you think that’s a given in the real world? Some people like their current situations enough that a bigger paycheck would not be worth it.

 

[CNCVol88]

Why do you think that’s a given in the real world? Some people like their current situations enough that a bigger paycheck would not be worth it.

Sure and I'm sure there Are players that feel the same way. Hell I took a pay cut for a 9-5 2 years ago. I'm not going to fault a guy for doing what he thinks he needs to do to better himself. I'm a fan of Tennessee athletics but I'm also realistic.

 

[The Original Fade]

I don’t even see a need for recruiting anymore. Just rent a kid for a year

Truth

 

[901 Orange]

Vfl don't mean squat to someone who will leave for more money, and I am not being critical of them. Do what's best for you and your family, but the term VFL should be reserved for someone who actually deserves it

I agree. Not knocking the players, get your money, but I'm going to need 3 years of giving your all to Tennessee for me to call you a VFL

 

[brockytop]

VFL had nothing to do with fans

Now it has nothing to do with players.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Man y'all acting like you wouldn't quit and go to a competitor if they offered you more money than your current employer.

And you are trying to act like college football is like a normal job. And no not all of us would leave just for money. Many more things to consider.

 

[deatojl]

Man y'all acting like you wouldn't quit and go to a competitor if they offered you more money than your current employer.

While this is true, job hopping is not looked upon very favorably on a resume.

 

[deatojl]

I'll add to this conversation by pointing out how frequently guys like Jackson Lampley and Dayne Davis, who absolutely fit the stated criteria for VFL players, have been trashed by fans for their in game performance.

 

[Behr]

Great! Vols for life that are beginning to not care.

Lol.

 

[Will74]

VFL had nothing to do with fans

I strongly disagree I'm 50 years old and II can say I've never known another college team .No most fans never played a snap in neyland or ran thru the T, but alot have invested there life to the orange from 92 -96 I went around the world and every port I was in they knew I was a by God VOL

 

[TnVol!]

I am a native Tennessean born in 1950. My dad was a native Tennessean born in 1928. I began following the Tennessee Volunteers since I wad old enough to know what a football was. The first signal caller I remember was Mallon Faircloth a single wing tailback in 1957. 67 years later I'm still following Tennessee Athletics. I am a VFL and Noone can tell me different.

 

[BigOrangeCrush32]

So a player who plays for 3-5 years is a VFL but a fan who has spent hours upon hours traveling to watch, thousands upon thousands traveling to watch, for 10, 20, 30, 40 years, or longer, and invested their heart and soul into supporting said players, can't be called VFL? Ok got it.

 

[mcnabbvolunteer]

Bru McCoy is a VFL and he transferred to Tennessee.

 

[orangerush]

VFL had nothing to do with fans

Blubber