Well anyone that’s watched an SEC football game and seen that vibrant, yet simple and classy uniform knows the immediate draw of the University of Tennessee. Though the primary color is Tennessee Orange, the colors white and Smokey more accurately describes its boldness. And then there’s that endzone. The famous orange and white checkerboard end-zone stands as one of the most recognizable facets of a sports venue in American athletics, if not the world. Finally, how can you talk about the unique and historical culture of Volunteer football without talking about ol’ Rocky Top. The song, first recorded in 1967 by the Osborne Brothers, pays homage to the great hills of Tennessee, and quickly became a fan and band favorite in the 70s, eventually becoming the official state song of Tennessee. In 2015 it was deemed college football’s number one fight song. All of these aspects of Tennessee football may seem quirky and contrived to the uninitiated, and who could blame them? It seems that every team, in every sport, on every level, is constantly trying to reinvent itself for marketing reasons, ticket and jersey sales, and local/national prestige or recognition. From blue turf to neon helmets. But some have been doing these things for decades-plus. Not because they are new and and marketable, but because they truly defined a community. As a child of Tennessee, Honky-Tonk never had a doubt where he wanted to play football. How could you leave what you grew up idolizing?
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