I really don't know what to think about this. It's great, I guess, that UT wants to honor themselves for being pioneers in racial integration, but they were still behind much of the nation. Also, I can't help but think that coaches and administration in those times were merely trying to win ball games and not be racial "pioneers." Maybe some of you guys know better. Not sure Tee had to go through the same stuff as the other guys.
Someone had to be first, I guess it's cool it was UT? Last to leave the Union and first to rejoin?? The whole thing seems kind of morbid and I can't help but think that they are just jumping on board with the latest media hype about race. The action seems almost apologetic.
Check this out. I think this a pretty good move.
That's exactly my point. The fact that he is black is only a bonus for UT. Tee Martin has always been Tee Martin, and it's been 23 years and no statue, but now that race is a hot topic, boom statue.
#1 is a pet peeve of mine since the system was just so different back then and the NCAA recognizes it.Honestly, where am I wrong? And by the way I understand that 98 was Al Wilson and Peerless Price (and the OL) but Tee is the most recognizable player from that team on a national scale
#1 is a pet peeve of mine since the system was just so different back then and the NCAA recognizes it.
#2 is a debate that is hard to prove. That was a true team and just didn't have standouts but was loaded with talent.
#4 I'd have to put Heath Shuler at 2 and put Tee just behind him. I mean, the guy got elected to Congress.
Yes you can take the cynic’s views and yes plenty of companies have used that type of thinking to profit and/or garner business…and maybe I’m being too generous in thinking they are different. But I’d like to think Plowman and White instead said “hey you know what? With the increased awareness of what black people have accomplished in this country in lieu of recent events…what a great way to honor four significant black football players in our programs history and highlight their success’ by giving them statues.”
I just wish we had a ring of honor without the retiring of jerseys...with the exception of Vols lost in combat in WW2. You'd have folks lining up to wear 16 or 92... Bama can still honor Joe Namath and Ken Stabler while letting current players bear the burden of playing up to #12 greatness. Just my opinion.Reggie is enshrined in the Ring of Honor. He's there with the only other two NFL hall of famers from UT, Doug Atkins and Peyton.
(I just say this to point out that he is not being overlooked or not celebrated)
Also, how were they trailblazers for racial equity? That implies their success is related to special treatment due to their color of their skin. Seems to me it would be the opposite. Don’t they mean equality?
Tyler Bray deserves a statue. The guy tore up the strip every night #legend
Because people are different colors. It's not something that should be ignored. It's something that should be celebrated. Everyone of us is human, but its also important to understand peoples origins and life experiences. I get you mean good, the first thing you see in someone shouldn't be the color of their skin. I agree fully, but the color of someone's skin is a part of who they are. And that's okay. Because that diversity makes the world a much more interesting place. It's about accepting people the way they are, not turning a blind eye to it. You have the right idea, we should be human beings first regardless of race, but someone's race is a part of them and that's okay. The goal is to eliminate racism, not race.