Can anyone identify this player ?

[jbeeman85]

I have this painting in my office and was wondering if it is of a specific player or if it is just a generic player. The artist is Syl McCombs. Someone in the office retired and he left it and someone gave it to me since I'm the "Tennessee football nut" of the office.
The player is #32 which according to the Vols Media Guide narrows it down to these players if it's not just a random number chosen by the artist:
Joe Wallen, FB, 1937, 38, 39
William ‘Bill’ Nowling, B, 1941, FB, 1940, 42 (*Retired In Honor)
Carl Smith, FB, 1956, 57, 58
Bunny Orr, FB, 1959, 60, 61
Jim Sullivan, FB, 1962, 63, 64
Jimmy Glover, DB, 1965, MM, 1966, 67
Steve Wold, FB, 1969, 70
Paul Careathers, RB, 1972, 73, 74
Mike Huskisson, RB, 1975
Junior Reid, DB, 1978
Hubert Simpson, RB, 1979, 80
Mike Moeller, MG, 1983
Charles Wilson, RB, 1984, 85, 86, 87

It appears to be a running back (which most of these players are). The facemask style makes me think it's one of the later ones. Any thoughts ?

 

[bigslk]

Looks like Hubert Simpson from I believe the 79 Notre Dame game. Hubert had a monster game....

 

[jakez4ut]

believe it's Johnny Jones

 

[jbeeman85]

Looks like Hubert Simpson from I believe the 79 Notre Dame game. Hubert had a monster game....

I was thinking it looked like Norte Dame uniforms on the other team.

 

[YankeeVol]

Looks like Hubert Simpson from I believe the 79 Notre Dame game. Hubert had a monster game....

Seconded

 

[Boca Vol]

Hubert Simpson.

This is a classic Johnny Majors Show:

 

[GAVol]

Hubert Simpson.

This is a classic Johnny Majors Show:

everybody owes it to themselves to click on that and watch the first minute. Nothing was as awkward, cringey and accidentally funny as John Ward and Johnny Majors.

 

[RollerVol]

nice OP...very cool...and,

GO VOLS...BEAT TIGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[05_never_again]

"I used this on my offensive line this week. We really didn't, because that's serious business, but we threatened it." lol

 

[peaygolf]

believe it's Johnny Jones

Munford Man was #33

 

[Mccage]

Could be Simpson the day he ran wild on Notre Dame

 

[njvols]

Looks like Hubert Simpson from I believe the 79 Notre Dame game. Hubert had a monster game....

4TD's. I remember listening on the radio. It was great win after we lost to Rutgers the week before.

 

[peaygolf]

4TD's. I remember listening on the radio. It was great win after we lost to Rutgers the week before.

Goodness, I remember that. "What is a Rutgers?"
My uncle taught law @ Rutgers then. Still haven't lived that one down at family reunions.

 

[jbeeman85]

Wow, thank you for all the quick responses. I knew a bunch of folks here would know, should have asked sooner.

 

[njvols]

Hubert Simpson.

This is a classic Johnny Majors Show:

It used to be that the Johnny Majors/John Ward show was must watch TV for me on Sundays after church. Maybe it's because I was young teenager, but can't say any coach's show since has been near as good...just my opinion.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

believe it's Johnny Jones

I think this is too tall for Jones.

 

[Rudy123]

Looks like Hubert Simpson from I believe the 79 Notre Dame game. Hubert had a monster game....

He was a monster player. He somehow landed in Majors doghouse and it all went down hill from there. Good enough to win Heisman

 

[MiramarVol]

Yes, that's Simpson against ND.

 

[tennrich1]

I think this is too tall for Jones.

Its definitely not Johnny. He wore 33. Quite sure most are correct and its Hubert Simpson....what a great day that was...and I remember the next day on Majors show he had a leprechaun's cane and was beating it on the desk with John Ward. Why can I recall that so vividly but struggle with my home address? Edit ….Sorry just noticed the above post about the Majors show...disregard!!!

 

[tennrich1]

It used to be that the Johnny Majors/John Ward show was must watch TV for me on Sundays after church. Maybe it's because I was young teenager, but can't say any coach's show since has been near as good...just my opinion.

I would agree. I go back to the Bill Battle show. Such sweet memories. It came on TV in west Tennessee at like 6:00 PM Sunday evening. I remember sitting around the TV with my brothers eating left over chicken or Roast beef from Sunday Dinner and watching Ward spin his magic. I have a close friend today who has skybox seats at Neyland and I'm privileged to use them a couple times a year. I told him once that as a young boy growing up on a farm is rural West Tennessee all I ever dreamed of was going to a Vol game someday. Now to be able to see most games (some from the Skybox) in person is beyond my dreams as a kid.

 

[HollowaytoSeivers]

Looks like Simpson to me also. I have a print of Johnnie Jones rushing against Vanderbilt. I think it was printed in 1984, and Jones is wearing 33. My dad officiated games when Jones played at Munford.

 

[VolinMC]

I'm pretty sure it's Simpson also with the ND players pictured. He shared carries with James Berry and a few others that year but the ND game was by far his best one ever.

 

[FLVOL_79]

I think those are Notre Dame players.

 

[chazman]

I'm pretty sure it's Simpson also with the ND players pictured. He shared carries with James Berry and a few others that year but the ND game was by far his best one ever.

HUBERT IS CORRECT. I REMEMBER HE WAS THE 1ST JERSEY I EVER BOUGHT. MONSTER BACK

 

[Slydell]