(A series of articles that blur the lines with a decidedly Tennessee flavor)
THE CALL
Imagine for a moment if Saturday’s contest in Gainesville were a two horse race. Tennessee would be the up and coming long shot. Florida would play the role of the heavily betted favorite. Instead of the Swamp, the action would be from Churchill Downs. And if you think we are replacing Tennessee whiskey with Mint Juleps? Well, you’re taking things a bit too far.
Television, interest, and implications will all be on a national scale. High stakes are involved. For Tennessee it’s the first of a trifecta that includes three huge SEC road games. But to be in contention for this Triple Crown, the Vols will need to come out of this first race as a winner.
The jitters are there and so is the focus. The preparation by each team has been intense. There has not been a Triple Crown winner in 31 years, but Tennessee and their coaches will hear none of that. Both teams approach the starting gate and the air is electric.
The whistle blows and a ball booms toward the goal line as the gates open. A voice echoes over the stadium as it steadily takes over, The Call:
“And there off…..for the lead, it’s Tennessee moving inside, hugging the rail on the run. Florida moves to the outside to pass, directly off the Vols shoulder. As they come to the second turn it’s the Vols by three. Yes the pace is quickening now and the Gators lead by a full length. The Vols driving hard are pushing back once more and it’s an even 17 .17 at the 2nd post.
Tennesee, the long shot hanging tough will not go away. But they’ve got Florida to catch with 3 quarters running 27. 24 as they go into the head of the stretch. Around the third post and here they come!
Into the stretch they go! Tennessee is driving hard. It is not about the place or the show now, it’s about winning and look at the Vols!
Tennessee digging deep, showing tremendous heart, there is no quit in them. ..their neck and neck its gonna go the wire, the crowd is standing, cheering . . . here they come, here they come . . . . . its TENNESSEE by a nose, TENNESSEE WINS!!!”
It’s one of those moments. Indelibly etched into hearts and minds to be recalled with passion and passed on as lore. But there are no stadium lights’ exploding as Tennessee makes its way to the stands. There is not even a wreath of roses to be placed around a collective shoulder.
At this point however, you sense the need to look to the winners circle and there it is: Jonathon Crompton atop a ladder and Lane Kiffin hoisted onto the shoulders of his players. Faintly at first, the blurry sound begins to clear as clenched fists pump into the warm, humid Florida night. . . . “Rocky Top you’ll always be, home sweet home to me.”
Somewhere in the midst of it all, the second leg of the Triple Crown nudges you. ‘It’s time to go. There will be another Saturday waiting in October’. Your thoughts drift as pieces of the race flash and fade from your mind. Yes, another Saturday, another race, another chance to relish . . . The Call.