My love for the Vols can’t be rationally explained.

[Vfl2407]

I bet I’m not alone in feeling this way.
But the GSU game has shaken my fandom to the core.
The embarrassment and humiliation finally reached such a level that I had to question if it’s worth it.
But, here I still am. I will still watch and cheer against BYU.
It doesn’t make rational sense.
The return on my financial, emotional, and time investment in this program has been so low in the 2000’s.
But for some reason, I just can’t quit them.
I’m either a masochist or just heavily addicted to the program.
My non sports friends and family think I’m insane.
Maybe I am.
Maybe some of you are too?

 

[FlyFishnVol]

Welcome to the Club/Cult brother............Go Vols!

 

[jbeeman85]

I watch (or listen) to every single play. Even those games where the Vols are down by 40 with under 2 minutes to play, there I am, not willing to do anything until the game clock says 0:00. The last Vols football game I didn't watch was the Georgia game in 1997 (due to my 6th grade self being grounded from watching sports for a week).

I have never left a game early (Vols/Titans/Predators) that I am in control of the transportation, no matter the score or weather.

It's not insanity, it's being a fan (though most everyone else seems to think it's the other way around). That's what we do. We watch (or attend), through thick or thin. And when our team is finally doing good, we can tell off whoever comes around celebrating that "their team" is winning though they don't watch when it's bad.

 

[FLVOL_79]

I bet I’m not alone in feeling this way.
But the GSU game has shaken my fandom to the core.
The embarrassment and humiliation finally reached such a level that I had to question if it’s worth it.
But, here I still am. I will still watch and cheer against BYU.
It doesn’t make rational sense.
The return on my financial, emotional, and time investment in this program has been so low in the 2000’s.
But for some reason, I just can’t quit them.
I’m either a masochist or just heavily addicted to the program.
My non sports friends and family think I’m insane.
Maybe I am.
Maybe some of you are too?

You're what they call...a Negavol. Welcome to the club.

 

[MikeTheVol]

I'll join this "me too" movement. It seems irrational sometimes that I'm so addicted to UT football. Have been since the sixties.

 

[chuckb1448]

I'm Guilty as charged

 

[Brave Volunteer]

I'm often asked why I continue to root for Tennessee and suffer the disappointment year after year after year. After all, I'm not an alumnus, neither of my parents were alumni, I don't live in Knoxville, etc. So WHY exactly do I continue to be a fan? Well, my dad was a huge fan and he raised me to be a fan. Tennessee Vols sports were a common thread between us, even at times when we didn't see eye to eye on much else. Some of my fondest memories of being a Tennessee fan has nothing to do with going to the games, nothing to do with watching it on TV, none of that. Some of my fondest memories are of just my Dad and I sitting at the kitchen table, talking Tennessee football or basketball. My Dad passed away almost 10 years ago and my Tennessee fandom is one small way of keeping my Dad's memory alive. So when someone asks me why I continue to be a fan, I figure that's as good a reason as any.

 

[Vol4Life2289]

It’s seems that every football season, if my wife asks me if I want to go somewhere with her and my daughter when Tennessee is playing, I tell her nope I can’t, because Tennessee is playing. Before the game even ended last week, I told myself that I wouldn’t miss out on things with my family anymore. As the week progresses, here I am, just as anxious as ever for the next game. I know there’s a possibility that we lose, but I’m still behind this team win or lose. Call me crazy, but I just can’t give up on this team.

 

[FlyFishnVol]

I'm often asked why I continue to root for Tennessee and suffer the disappointment year after year after year. After all, I'm not an alumnus, neither of my parents were alumni, I don't live in Knoxville, etc. So WHY exactly do I continue to be a fan? Well, my dad was a huge fan and he raised me to be a fan. Tennessee Vols sports were a common thread between us, even at times when we didn't see eye to eye on much else. Some of my fondest memories of being a Tennessee fan has nothing to do with going to the games, nothing to do with watching it on TV, none of that. Some of my fondest memories are of just my Dad and I sitting at the kitchen table, talking Tennessee football or basketball. My Dad passed away almost 10 years ago and my Tennessee fandom is one small way of keeping my Dad's memory alive. So when someone asks me why I continue to be a fan, I figure that's as good a reason as any.

Two Football camps with Bill Battle.............hooked. I am also a fan of Miami.........for different reasons and I am a fan of any team that plays Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan, USCwest, Bama and Florida. I am starting to really not like Kentucky and Vanderbilt.

 

[Vfl2407]

I'm often asked why I continue to root for Tennessee and suffer the disappointment year after year after year. After all, I'm not an alumnus, neither of my parents were alumni, I don't live in Knoxville, etc. So WHY exactly do I continue to be a fan? Well, my dad was a huge fan and he raised me to be a fan. Tennessee Vols sports were a common thread between us, even at times when we didn't see eye to eye on much else. Some of my fondest memories of being a Tennessee fan has nothing to do with going to the games, nothing to do with watching it on TV, none of that. Some of my fondest memories are of just my Dad and I sitting at the kitchen table, talking Tennessee football or basketball. My Dad passed away almost 10 years ago and my Tennessee fandom is one small way of keeping my Dad's memory alive. So when someone asks me why I continue to be a fan, I figure that's as good a reason as any.

Thanks for sharing that.
My Dad took me to Neyland when I was 6 and I’ve been hooked ever since.
He was a severe alcoholic and died when he was 61.

 

[VolBricks]

Yep, me to. I was pi$$ed last week during the 3rd and 4th quarters and after the game but I know I will be watching come 7 pm Saturday night. Can't help myself. My wife tells me it is just a game but I know she is lying to me.

 

[Vfl2407]

It’s seems that every football season, if my wife asks me if I want to go somewhere with her and my daughter when Tennessee is playing, I tell her nope I can’t, because Tennessee is playing. Before the game even ended last week, I told myself that I wouldn’t miss out on things with my family anymore. As the week progresses, here I am, just as anxious as ever for the next game. I know there’s a possibility that we lose, but I’m still behind this team win or lose. Call me crazy, but I just can’t give up on this team.

I once gave up a free trip to Hawaii instead of missing a Florida game.

 

[FlyFishnVol]

My theory, every since they let CPF go, this school has been not the same, call it a curse, bad omen whatever. Tennessee has some natural red flags around it (recruiting) that have plagued the school on top of the all the head coaches we've gone through. CJP is not going to erase 11 years of drama in 1 or 2 seasons............just ain't going to happen.

jmo

 

[Vfl2407]

My theory, every since they let CPF go, this school has been not the same, call it a curse, bad omen whatever. Tennessee has some natural red flags around it (recruiting) that have plagued the school on top of the all the head coaches we've gone through. CJP is not going to erase 11 years of drama in 1 or 2 seasons............just ain't going to happen.

jmo

Did you watch Phil’s farewell press conference.
I remember how he was crying while wife Vicky was holding him crying too.
It was brutal even if you felt like the firing was justified.
I always thought that Vicky cursed our program that day.
But You’d think she would have lifted the curse when we brought Phil back. Maybe not.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

If you cheered for another CFB team it would never be the same. Good, bad, or really bad VOL till the end.

 

[TNnative]

I bet I’m not alone in feeling this way.
But the GSU game has shaken my fandom to the core.
The embarrassment and humiliation finally reached such a level that I had to question if it’s worth it.
But, here I still am. I will still watch and cheer against BYU.
It doesn’t make rational sense.
The return on my financial, emotional, and time investment in this program has been so low in the 2000’s.
But for some reason, I just can’t quit them.
I’m either a masochist or just heavily addicted to the program.
My non sports friends and family think I’m insane.
Maybe I am.
Maybe some of you are too?

The GSU game was not really as surprising to me. I did not share a belief that Fulmer would "fix this program". I still feel he will screw more up than he fixes. Therefore, though watching this loss was disturbing because I grew up a Vols fan, I was less invested and was spared the feeling of humiliation. I might watch the BYU game; depends on what comes up. I guess questioning the worth of the program was a bridge I crossed first. Getting there was just as hard for me, but it's no longer worth being emotionally invested in. If you continue to be, you re just enabling whoever the morons are who keep dragging the program lower. I think I will avoid being fitted for a strait jacket. You will do as you wish.

 

[TNnative]

Did you watch Phil’s farewell press conference.
I remember how he was crying while wife Vicky was holding him crying too.
It was brutal even if you felt like the firing was justified.
I always thought that Vicky cursed our program that day.
But You’d think she would have lifted the curse when we brought Phil back. Maybe not.

He had it coming. And now, he is back. Curse? Ha. CPF can KMA.

 

[Vfl2407]

The GSU game was not really as surprising to me. I did not share a belief that Fulmer would "fix this program". I still feel he will screw more up than he fixes. Therefore, though watching this loss was disturbing because I grew up a Vols fan, I was less invested and was spared the feeling of humiliation. I might watch the BYU game; depends on what comes up. I guess questioning the worth of the program was a bridge I crossed first. Getting there was just as hard for me, but it's no longer worth being emotionally invested in. If you continue to be, you re just enabling whoever the morons are who keep dragging the program lower. I think I will avoid being fitted for a strait jacket. You will do as you wish.

You sound very stable and well grounded. Congrats.
Can I have the name of your therapist to deVolprogram me too.

 

[TNnative]

You sound very stable and well grounded. Congrats.
Can I have the name of your therapist to deVolprogram me too.

Did it on my own. It's just a matter of not putting your faith in fools.

 

[monodenta]

Being a fan shouldn't be contingent on winning. Sometimes I think it's better to be a fan of a crappy team. Much less pressure.

 

[ksgovols]

Did you watch Phil’s farewell press conference.
I remember how he was crying while wife Vicky was holding him crying too.
It was brutal even if you felt like the firing was justified.
I always thought that Vicky cursed our program that day.
But You’d think she would have lifted the curse when we brought Phil back. Maybe not.

We got what we wished for on that day. That's for sure. And some spoiled fans deserved a little slice of humble pie over the last decade. But Mike Hamilton was the curse and we might be a while getting his Ox out of the ditch.

 

[HollowaytoSeivers]

I'm often asked why I continue to root for Tennessee and suffer the disappointment year after year after year. After all, I'm not an alumnus, neither of my parents were alumni, I don't live in Knoxville, etc. So WHY exactly do I continue to be a fan? Well, my dad was a huge fan and he raised me to be a fan. Tennessee Vols sports were a common thread between us, even at times when we didn't see eye to eye on much else. Some of my fondest memories of being a Tennessee fan has nothing to do with going to the games, nothing to do with watching it on TV, none of that. Some of my fondest memories are of just my Dad and I sitting at the kitchen table, talking Tennessee football or basketball. My Dad passed away almost 10 years ago and my Tennessee fandom is one small way of keeping my Dad's memory alive. So when someone asks me why I continue to be a fan, I figure that's as good a reason as any.

Neither one of my parents went to Tennessee (they graduated from ETSU), but they passed on a love of Big Orange sports to me. The last time I saw my dad we watched the 2010 Music City Bowl against UNC; he died eight days later. I still watch Vols football with my 93 year old mom because watching with her keeps me from losing my mind, and I enjoy her company. I watch other CFB games with friends that live nearby who enjoy stronger libations. I know when she passes it won't be the same, but I'll still watch because that's what I do. GBO & VFL!!

 

[HollowaytoSeivers]

Being a fan shouldn't be contingent on winning. Sometimes I think it's better to be a fan of a crappy team. Much less pressure.

That's how my wife is with Illinois.

 

[Vol4Life2289]

I once gave up a free trip to Hawaii instead of missing a Florida game.

Ouch...

 

[TNnative]

Did you watch Phil’s farewell press conference.
I remember how he was crying while wife Vicky was holding him crying too.
It was brutal even if you felt like the firing was justified.
I always thought that Vicky cursed our program that day.
But You’d think she would have lifted the curse when we brought Phil back. Maybe not.

I remember that day. After I heard it, I got in the car, turns on the radio, went to the oldies station.

Song playing. "Tears of a Clown." Seriously.