This game stirs a lot of emotion and memories of experiences for those who were fortunate enough to play against Alabama on the 3rd Saturday in October.
We all remember the games, but this is a memory of something that happened on the way to the game. I can honestly say, it is the only vivid memory I have of an away trip other than the games themselves. Since the away game routine was always the same, those memories just kind of fuse together into a generic experience.
We were playing #1 ranked Alabama at Legion Field. On the way to the game I happened to be seated across from Coach Majors on a bus that had a commuter configuration. We were approaching the stadium and the street was lined with fans making their way to the game, our's cheering us and their's booing and yelling unpleasantries as we drove by. He mentioned to those seated nearby to "take it in gentlemen, the colors, the fans, the sunny October day and remember this scene. You are privileged to be able to play in this game and this is a scene you should remember for the rest of your lives".... Not something you would typically hear from Coach Majors before a game and you could tell from his tone he was reliving the same experience he had as a player.
I made it a point to do as he said and I remember it like it was yesterday and I realize now, even more than then, what a privilege it was/is to be a Tennessee Volunteer. There is nothing like it.
We lost the game 24-17 after going up 17-0 and having a touchdown called back. The memory of the game still stings, but the other memory is something I will never forget.
Go Vols
We all remember the games, but this is a memory of something that happened on the way to the game. I can honestly say, it is the only vivid memory I have of an away trip other than the games themselves. Since the away game routine was always the same, those memories just kind of fuse together into a generic experience.
We were playing #1 ranked Alabama at Legion Field. On the way to the game I happened to be seated across from Coach Majors on a bus that had a commuter configuration. We were approaching the stadium and the street was lined with fans making their way to the game, our's cheering us and their's booing and yelling unpleasantries as we drove by. He mentioned to those seated nearby to "take it in gentlemen, the colors, the fans, the sunny October day and remember this scene. You are privileged to be able to play in this game and this is a scene you should remember for the rest of your lives".... Not something you would typically hear from Coach Majors before a game and you could tell from his tone he was reliving the same experience he had as a player.
I made it a point to do as he said and I remember it like it was yesterday and I realize now, even more than then, what a privilege it was/is to be a Tennessee Volunteer. There is nothing like it.
We lost the game 24-17 after going up 17-0 and having a touchdown called back. The memory of the game still stings, but the other memory is something I will never forget.
Go Vols
