I think in all the whining, anger, crying, attacking, casting blame, and soul searching that many of us Vols have done over the past 3 days, we have forgotten something.
That something is exactly what this writer spoke of. We are truly blessed to be Tennessee Vols. You may even say, it's great to be one.
I know it's been hard to clear away the fog of Saturday night. But, put away the sting of that loss for just a minute. Just a minute.
Folks, that atmosphere was nothing short of electric! Been going to Neyland from Chattanooga since the 1973 O/W game as a child. I have been to several great ones. But, I have never been in one as exciting as it was on Saturday. Never.
I am at work in Anniston, AL this week, and I honestly have a hard time communicating with my customers. My voice sounds like a stone scraping sandpaper. We and most all of section O screamed, clapped, and stomped bleachers on EVERY single OU offensive play. I mean every single one. I gave my all and so did thousands of other Vols who made an unforgettable "12th Man".
The weather was mid 60's, skies clear, air crisp, slight comforting breeze, the stadium checkered, and one of the great CFB traditional powers on site for probably the last time in my lifetime. Our players and (like it or not) coaches laid it all on the line and gave their ALL for TN.
It was a great, great atmosphere. My son (23) and I were stuck for a while on the ramp out of the stadium. Everyone was in stunned silence. But one thing we talked about (besides the 327 ways we should have won) was what an amazing experience the past 4 hours had been. It was truly special.
I know this is not the most popular person to make this point with. But, did you listen closely to Eric Striker "explaining" his confrontation with Butch and his post game "celebration"? One thing that caught my attention was the line where he said "this was the greatest (biggest) moment in my entire college career".
Let that sink in. OU has been "successful" for his entire career, unlike our dumpster fire. They've played in big games, big bowl$, have had some huge wins. But, taking it all together, he said that Saturday nights experience was the greatest in his career. Of course, any comeback win is going to be special. But, this was the guys biggest. As sucky as that was, that should tell us something about this special place we call "Rocky Top".
All I'm saying as one of the old guys around here is ... never take for granted what a blessing being a Tennessee Vol is. It's truly special folks. And, special things are near.
OK, the minute's up. Thanks for listening.
Time to get back to the task at hand of fahring Butch and that Olympic organizer he hired.
I think in all the whining, anger, crying, attacking, casting blame, and soul searching that many of us Vols have done over the past 3 days, we have forgotten something.
That something is exactly what this writer spoke of. We are truly blessed to be Tennessee Vols. You may even say, it's great to be one.
I know it's been hard to clear away the fog of Saturday night. But, put away the sting of that loss for just a minute. Just a minute.
Folks, that atmosphere was nothing short of electric! Been going to Neyland from Chattanooga since the 1973 O/W game as a child. I have been to several great ones. But, I have never been in one as exciting as it was on Saturday. Never.
I am at work in Anniston, AL this week, and I honestly have a hard time communicating with my customers. My voice sounds like a stone scraping sandpaper. We and most all of section O screamed, clapped, and stomped bleachers on EVERY single OU offensive play. I mean every single one. I gave my all and so did thousands of other Vols who made an unforgettable "12th Man".
The weather was mid 60's, skies clear, air crisp, slight comforting breeze, the stadium checkered, and one of the great CFB traditional powers on site for probably the last time in my lifetime. Our players and (like it or not) coaches laid it all on the line and gave their ALL for TN.
It was a great, great atmosphere. My son (23) and I were stuck for a while on the ramp out of the stadium. Everyone was in stunned silence. But one thing we talked about (besides the 327 ways we should have won) was what an amazing experience the past 4 hours had been. It was truly special.
I know this is not the most popular person to make this point with. But, did you listen closely to Eric Striker "explaining" his confrontation with Butch and his post game "celebration"? One thing that caught my attention was the line where he said "this was the greatest (biggest) moment in my entire college career".
Let that sink in. OU has been "successful" for his entire career, unlike our dumpster fire. They've played in big games, big bowl$, have had some huge wins. But, taking it all together, he said that Saturday nights experience was the greatest in his career. Of course, any comeback win is going to be special. But, this was the guys biggest. As sucky as that was, that should tell us something about this special place we call "Rocky Top".
All I'm saying as one of the old guys around here is ... never take for granted what a blessing being a Tennessee Vol is. It's truly special folks. And, special things are near.
OK, the minute's up. Thanks for listening.
Time to get back to the task at hand of fahring Butch and that Olympic organizer he hired.
