Here's what you're missing...

#76
#76
Behr said:
You get tired of the term negavol? Lol.

Heres an idea, but Ill be clear, Im not telling you what to do or how to think....Stop saying the same thing over and over and over and over and you might not see it as much.


You're 61 years old and losing hurts your heart and you cant sleep?

Yeah. Good luck with that. I used to be weak like that. Im 62 now and probably about 15 years is when I pulled myself up by my bootstraps and stopped letting football and a few other things have that type of control over me.

Hope you grow out of it.
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First of all, you can't read I'm 63. If you don't like what I say, then ignore me
 
#77
#77
VFL-82-JP said:
I feel for the NegaVols.

Not the trolls, no. They can rot in hell. But the true Vols fans who can't get it together, who are stuck in BVS perhaps, or who come at life like it's an equation and want to 'keep it real', or who just have a negative outlook on everything. You meet those people from time to time, the ones who seem to believe their own personal rain cloud follows them around. They've been kicked so many times, they flinch any time anyone approaches.

So for you, NegaVols, I just want to paint a picture of what you're missing--what the rest of us who carry hope in our hearts feel.

Every single day, a tingling excitement about being a Volunteer fan. Being a member of a community with shared values that reach back to Davy Crockett and Andrew Jackson, to the Overmountain Men. A thrill every time we see that particular shade of orange, a genuine excitement at running into another Vols fan.

And the buildup to Saturday, knowing our coaches and our lads can beat anyone. A confidence in the team, that they'll do their best. Tempered by an understanding that the other team gets a vote, too, and sometimes carries the day. A forgiveness for imperfection, because we are not ourselves perfect and understand what Jesus said about that.

When we win, a tremendous thrill. A warm glow that lasts into the night, into our sleep, and is still there when we wake up Sunday morning. That carries over through the week, flavoring conversations around the truck tailgate or the water cooler at work.

When we lose, a quiet confidence. We'll get 'em next time, boys. Don't fret. We still have next week.

And at the end of the season, after the last bowl game is played and there's nothing left to ponder except how many days until spring camp starts, a quiet pride in the Volunteer State and those who represent it.

Win or lose, there's comfort and strength and joy in being a Volunteer fan.

I'm sorry some of us can't feel all that.

Go Vols!
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Go Vols!! Well said!
 
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#78
#78
volfeeva said:
I don't consider it a Negavol to ask for the defense to play better. Being critical of any part of the game is somehow Negavols ?
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Nah. Negavol gets thrown around pretty easy in here sometimes. In game comments can get ugly because we're passionate, right? However, there are a few on here that try to be overly negative at ALL times. Couldn't see a positive if it landed on their face. Those are the true negavals (and/or trolls from pathetic people that have nothing better to do).
 
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#79
#79
VFL-82-JP said:
I feel for the NegaVols.

Not the trolls, no. They can rot in hell. But the true Vols fans who can't get it together, who are stuck in BVS perhaps, or who come at life like it's an equation and want to 'keep it real', or who just have a negative outlook on everything. You meet those people from time to time, the ones who seem to believe their own personal rain cloud follows them around. They've been kicked so many times, they flinch any time anyone approaches.

So for you, NegaVols, I just want to paint a picture of what you're missing--what the rest of us who carry hope in our hearts feel.

Every single day, a tingling excitement about being a Volunteer fan. Being a member of a community with shared values that reach back to Davy Crockett and Andrew Jackson, to the Overmountain Men. A thrill every time we see that particular shade of orange, a genuine excitement at running into another Vols fan.

And the buildup to Saturday, knowing our coaches and our lads can beat anyone. A confidence in the team, that they'll do their best. Tempered by an understanding that the other team gets a vote, too, and sometimes carries the day. A forgiveness for imperfection, because we are not ourselves perfect and understand what Jesus said about that.

When we win, a tremendous thrill. A warm glow that lasts into the night, into our sleep, and is still there when we wake up Sunday morning. That carries over through the week, flavoring conversations around the truck tailgate or the water cooler at work.

When we lose, a quiet confidence. We'll get 'em next time, boys. Don't fret. We still have next week.

And at the end of the season, after the last bowl game is played and there's nothing left to ponder except how many days until spring camp starts, a quiet pride in the Volunteer State and those who represent it.

Win or lose, there's comfort and strength and joy in being a Volunteer fan.

I'm sorry some of us can't feel all that.

Go Vols!
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I usually like your posts JP, but I love this one.

Coming off my boys first trip to Neyland last week, getting to finally share that experience…. Seeing their faces during the Vol walk, the awe as we walked into Neyland….

The love of our Vols imprint for a lifetime….

It’s great to be a Tennessee Vol, even when it isn’t.
 
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#80
#80
Behr said:
Over/under at butthurt over this thread is 1.
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No one is hurt. Everyone is different. Some chase good, some chase great. To each his own. Some are just ecstatic we aren’t a doodoo fire anymore and that’s okay. Some want more. That’s okay to. Some accept mediocrity. That’s even okay.

The only people hurting here are people like you who let the opposite side keep you up at night. Go Vols. F Bama.
 
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#81
#81
Voljayton said:
Nah. Negavol gets thrown around pretty easy in here sometimes. In game comments can get ugly because we're passionate, right? However, there are a few on here that try to be overly negative at ALL times. Couldn't see a positive if it landed on their face. Those are the true negavals (and/or trolls from pathetic people that have nothing better to do).
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Here's the thing that differentiates a NegaVol from a well-balanced Vol fan in my view.

NegaVol says, "Martinez sucks, fire him."
More balanced Vol fan says, "Our DBs need to learn to turn and look for the ball; Martinez has gotta be coaching them in that."

NegaVol says, "Telander is slow as hell, needs to lose his scholarship."
More balanced Vol fan says, "Telander has strengths, but moving side to side isn't one of them."

NegaVol says, "That interception was unforgiveable, once more like that and Aguilar should be gone."
More balanced Vol fan says, "Aguilar over-threw Kitselman, needs to bring that down."

See? They're both commenting on the same plays, and are even saying similar things. But one is treating our lads and coaches with respect, while the other is willing to throw them to the curb for every mistake.

As fans, we don't have to be blind to imperfection, but SHOULD strive to do the Jesus thing and only stone people to death if we are flawless ourselves. Which of course, none of us are.

In other words, we should treat fellow Volunteers (the players and coaches especially) as if we care about them. Be passionate, yes, but also compassionate.


orangemadam said:
Negavols do not exist.

It's all in the minds of those few radicals that feel like they need to shout over those that
express opinions they don't agree with. They usually identify with Antifa.
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NegaVols most certainly exist. In fact, they are almost as common on this site as Sunshine Pumpers (or PosiVols).

Go Vols!


p.s. And as soon as I post, a new live example sprouts up in this thread: Just curious . Fahr em all, right?
 
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#82
#82
Why does one being pessimistic about the Vols chances in a game mean that football rules their life and they are a miserable person? I’m able to flush a disappointing outcome pretty quickly. Being realistic about my expectations helps with that I think. Two things can be true - I want the Vols to win AND not be convinced they will.
 
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#83
#83
EastTNVol6240 said:
No one is hurt. Everyone is different. Some chase good, some chase great. To each his own. Some are just ecstatic we aren’t a doodoo fire anymore and that’s okay. Some want more. That’s okay to. Some accept mediocrity. That’s even okay.

The only people hurting here are people like you who let the opposite side keep you up at night. Go Vols. F Bama.
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Who is "accepting Mediocrity"?

We have been one of the top programs in the country the past 3 seasons and continue to maintain that
 
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#84
#84
Behr said:
You get tired of the term negavol? Lol.

Heres an idea, but Ill be clear, Im not telling you what to do or how to think....Stop saying the same thing over and over and over and over and you might not see it as much.


You're 61 years old and losing hurts your heart and you cant sleep?

Yeah. Good luck with that. I used to be weak like that. Im 62 now and probably about 15 years is when I pulled myself up by my bootstraps and stopped letting football and a few other things have that type of control over me.

Hope you grow out of it.
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Absolutely agree. As I get older, I don’t let wins and losses affect me like they used to. Especially in this new world of NIL and transfers. Too many other things to do that I enjoy like grandkids and golf.
 
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#85
#85
OrangeBeachVol said:
IMO there is a middle ground here and I call it the 'realist' who as you say want Vols to win just as much as anyone but due to either FB experience or whatever see some things on the field or in coaching that are not as good as it can be and you call it out. Its your right as a fan.

I agree that the true Nega's have been defined on here and I don't understand them at all. But don't broad brush everyone not like you as Nega.
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It ain’t that hard to discern which ones are incessantly negative and NEVER say anything positive about the program.
 
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#91
#91
There’s a component to this too where some folks expect everything to go perfectly or how they see the game is supposed to go. When reality hits they lose their mind. You see these folks in life too and it can be pretty ugly at times.

This is college ball man, things are going to go off the rails. Cheer the boys on and hope they charge the checkerboard more than the other guys. Enjoy the ride and all the feels. Life’s a lot more fun when you’re grateful for what you have vs. worried about what you don’t.

Oh, and eff Bama.
 
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#93
#93
VFL-82-JP said:
NegaVol says, "Telander is slow as hell, needs to lose his scholarship."
More balanced Vol fan says, "Telander has strengths, but moving side to side isn't one of them."
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I can keep my silence no longer. Telander gets scapegoated. The biggest reason is probably playing next to and not being as good as AllAmerican/1st SEC caliber Arion Carter. Just like Hadden was the forum whipping boy the first half of 2023, everyone will be singing Telander's praise when he gets drafted*.

Everyone is going to have a different definition of what a NegaVol is.

It's the ones that make declarative statements of an unprovable negative or used flawed reasoning to explain why we can't improve that make my 'Nega' radar.

Unprovable negative - "We're not gonna win another NC in our lifetime."

Flawed reasoning - "We don't have the talent/recruiting isn't good enough to compete for a NC".

Ignores that talent has steadily been improving under Heupels tenure. I haven't seen anyone seriously suggest that we're the most talented team or most probable NC contenders in a given season yet, but it's clear we're headed in the right direction.


*Telander will get drafted 6th round or before after the 2026 season. I'm up for avatar bets or loser makes a donation to St. Jude bets.
 
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#94
#94
a win in Tuscaloosa means more to me than going to the CFP. mainly because without a win in Tuscaloosa we will not make it to the CFP. today is the turning point of the whole season. I hope people fully appreciate that fact.
 
#96
#96
UTFranklinVol said:
a win in Tuscaloosa means more to me than going to the CFP. mainly because without a win in Tuscaloosa we will not make it to the CFP. today is the turning point of the whole season. I hope people fully appreciate that fact.
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The game tonight and the CFP are meaningless right now in light of the vitello news. Absolutely soul crushing to lose him.
 
#97
#97
CAVPUT said:
The game tonight and the CFP are meaningless right now in light of the vitello news. Absolutely soul crushing to lose him.
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meh. we won our natty in baseball. let's not lose sight of the real prize. I am disturbed however that this news came out before the end of the MLB playoffs and on the day of the Bama game.
 
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#98
#98
Rickyvol77 said:
Who is "accepting Mediocrity"?

We have been one of the top programs in the country the past 3 seasons and continue to maintain that
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In my opinion “top” programs compete for SEC titles and championships. Once again every one’s definition will be different.

Is top 10 “top”?
Is top 25 “top”?
Is bowl eligible or does it take 11 wins to be “top”?

Once again everyone will see it differently and it’s hilarious the intolerance some have and let it get to them. Maybe you’re happy at 8 wins and relevant? Maybe not. Who cares.

Either way, doesn’t mean I have to lick the bottom of all of the players and coaches sneakers if we win 8+ every year. These men are now paid professionals, both players and coaches. They can handle some criticism. Matter of fact, I’d bet they don’t care a bit about it and never see it. The only person kicking their dog over our “negavol criticism” is people on this board who are intolerant of opinions.
 
#99
#99
EastTNVol6240 said:
In my opinion “top” programs compete for SEC titles and championships. Once again every one’s definition will be different.

Is top 10 “top”?
Is top 25 “top”?
Is bowl eligible or does it take 11 wins to be “top”?

Once again everyone will see it differently and it’s hilarious the intolerance some have and let it get to them. Maybe you’re happy at 8 wins and relevant? Maybe not. Who cares.

Either way, doesn’t mean I have to lick the bottom of all of the players and coaches sneakers if we win 8+ every year. These men are now paid professionals, both players and coaches. They can handle some criticism. Matter of fact, I’d bet they don’t care a bit about it and never see it. The only person kicking their dog over our “negavol criticism” is people on this board who are intolerant of opinions.
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This is such a weird post

First of all, we are competing for SEC and National titles and have 3 out of Heupel's 5 seasons here...

Is top 10 top? Yes of course it is
is top 15 top? Well it's playoff territory and should be considered a success
is top 25 top? Ehhh in rebuilding year maybe, but not a Tennessee goal, it should be assumed
Bowl eligible? Nah 6 games is easy, but again should be a minimum goal at UT

Intolerance? of what exactly?

Am i happy at 8 wins? No, a truly successful season at UT is 9-3 or better in most cases, are there years (1994, 2006, etc) where circumstances would dictate that a 3 or 4 loss season was still successful due to injuries or otherwise? sure

No one is asking you to "lick the bottom" of anyone which is a really weird projection...if Tennessee is in the top 5 of the SEC and/or in the playoff hunt, they are having a great season. Yes be critical of things they could do better, but for posters to be like "we definitely going 7-5 and losing to Vandy" at this point is ridiculous and so silly, it's laughable.
 
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#100
#100
Rickyvol77 said:
This is such a weird post

First of all, we are competing for SEC and National titles and have 3 out of Heupel's 5 seasons here...

Is top 10 top? Yes of course it is
is top 15 top? Well it's playoff territory and should be considered a success
is top 25 top? Ehhh in rebuilding year maybe, but not a Tennessee goal, it should be assumed
Bowl eligible? Nah 6 games is easy, but again should be a minimum goal at UT

Intolerance? of what exactly?

Am i happy at 8 wins? No, a truly successful season at UT is 9-3 or better in most cases, are there years (1994, 2006, etc) where circumstances would dictate that a 3 or 4 loss season was still successful due to injuries or otherwise? sure

No one is asking you to "lick the bottom" of anyone which is a really weird projection...if Tennessee is in the top 5 of the SEC and/or in the playoff hunt, they are having a great season. Yes be critical of things they could do better, but for posters to be like "we definitely going 7-5 and losing to Vandy" at this point is ridiculous and so silly, it's laughable.
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I can agree with most of that. But to me it’s not the number of wins. It’s the wins against who. With a few cupcakes and being a top half SEC team you can pretty easily get to 8-9 wins regularly, but still not be sniffing titles or real shots at nattys. Playoffs last year? Sure that’s great. But we never truly had a shot.

And yes there is the group (you being in that group) who seems to get very upset when people criticize anything when it comes to coaching, or poses the question - is Heup a next level coach?

Everyone’s fandom is a bit different. It’s really not that deep or serious.
 
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