6 days till kickoff..............
It's in the "Countdown" thread, but not everyone looks at it.
Without a doubt, my favorite player to ever wear Tennessee Orange,
#6, Jimmy Streater. The “Sylva Streak” was the reincarnation of Condredge Holloway, but without the team around him. He burst onto the scene in the 1977 opening game vs Cal, with an 80 yard touchdown, and continued to make huge plays for the next three seasons. Most known for leading the Vols to the upset win over Notre Dame in 1979, Streater was the schools all-time career leader in total yards when he left Knoxville. He finished his career with 3,433 yards passing (17 TDs) and 1,374 yards rushing (25 TDs). After being named All-SEC in ‘79 and leading UT back to a Bowl game for the first time in five years, Streater went and played in the CFL, where his scrambling could be used more effectively, but injuries plagued his career.
After football, Streater was plagued with health issues and passed away at the age of 46. In my humble opinion......Streater was a true legend of Vols football!
My reasoning behind Streater being my favorite player is simple. Between ages 7-9, I went to probably 15-18 UT games. I saw him in the game vs California (Majors' first game), his 85 yard td to Hancock vs Vandy, the win vs Auburn, the Notre Dame win, and the comeback to tie vs Oregon St. He was my idol as a kid.
Years later, Joe Biddle wrote a story about him in the paper. I knew Joe a little bit and called him. I got the phone number to the rehabilitation center Jimmy was living in, and called him. We talked for almost an hour about his playing days, life, and his struggles. I was going through some of the same struggles, and he was open and honest with me. I've been fortunate to have many great experiences in my life, but talking to my childhood idol about real life issues and struggles is at the top of the list. RIP Jimmy. See ya down the road.
