Greatest ambassadors for UT

[PhoenixAZVol]

Ok. Here’s another one. Who are the top 10 greatest legends/ambassadors/VFLs representing ANY sport? They can be athletes, coaches or even non-athletes.

I have no idea how to rank the legends. The following are just some ideas in no particular order.

Pat Summit
Al Wilson
Peyton
Ernie
Bernie
John Ward
Reggie White
Admiral S.
The General
Tee
Grant Williams
Josh dobbs
Todd Helton
Phil
Johnny
Holly. Yes that Holly
Melvin Stewart. Swimming
Justin Gatlin track

There are hundreds more. I havent even skimmed the surface.

 

[Cobb-Webb 1989]

Inky Johnson

 

[PhoenixAZVol]

Inky Johnson

Great choice.

 

[Notorious B.E.N]

Eric Berry
Candace Parker

 

[PhoenixAZVol]

Eric Berry
Candace Parker

Yup. I thought of those two as well.

 

[PhoenixAZVol]

I’m sure people will laugh but I think JG is going to finish as a great VFL. Especially if he finishes with a decent season. He hasn’t won much but is there a better example of perseverance, repeatedly taking punches to the gut yet still standing and competing?

 

[tnvols72]

Me , I spent more money and got nothing in return except a T-Shirt that I paid for lol....#GBO

 

[VolFan4life24]

Jason Witten, Allan Houston, Loften, Jayson Swain

 

[VolFan4life24]

The best possible senario is to not rank the legends or advocates of UT but to appreciate them all. There love, and our’s, for TN will always be genuine and everlasting.

 

[eaglevol]

Christian Coleman - UT's first winner of the Bowerman Award, presented to the best collegiate track & field athlete.

 

[eaglevol]

Broadcaster Lindsey Nelson

 

[Steven5198]

About an hour too soon on your list of top ten. Buckle up people...

(Not to mention your list didn't include the best player to wear the #5 on the basketball court at Tennessee and will have his number in the rafters once he retires.)

 

[Special Ed]

I don't believe Chris Lofton has been mentioned yet.

 

[MAD]

Condredge Holloway

 

[dcm3w]

Johnny Knoxville

 

[Zues1]

Ron Widby

 

[Boca Vol]

Jerry from Bulls Gap, Don from Sweetwater, and Steve from Lexington!

 

[OrangeByBirth]

Chuck Rohe is often overlooked. He led the "marriage" of UT's track and football programs that led to the history of NFL wide receivers. He's not #1 but certainly deserves to be on the list.

 

[CornbreadVol]

Ron Slay

 

[photovol]

Smokey

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Eric Berry
Candace Parker

I would put Neyland in the first 5 at least. Our Stadiums is named for him and there is a statue of him there. I doubt that Tennessee football would have ever reached its status without him. Candace continues to increase her prominence as an icon for Tennessee.

 

[ZZ13]

David Keith. The guy spent his whole career convincing producers to weave in Tennessee Vols references into nearly every one of his roles.

 

[YankeeVol]

Josh Richardson

 

[savannahfan]

Looking at the list of candidates you set forth, I think you need to define "ambassador". I think there are many names on the list that do not qualify by the accepted definition. Having been a great player for the school does not make one an ambassador.
That being said, Pat must rank as one of, or is at the top of the list. A couple or three names that come to mind for me are Pres. Andy Holt, Pres. Johnson and John Ward (who you include in your list).

 

[OnlyGodForgives]

Bruce Pearl. CNBC just showed him getting a hero's welcome in Auburn. Someone somewhere still connects him with TN.