https://www.tennessean.com/story/sp...ball-jeremy-pruitt-rexrode-neyland/545574002/
But two things about Pruitt’s comments after Saturday’s spring “game” need to be said. One, the idea that he’s simply demanding the best from Tennessee fans is misguided because he already has it. Whether it was actually the 65,000 announced on hand Saturday or 20,000 less as most observers at Neyland Stadium estimated, that’s still a tremendous turnout from a fan base that has been as unrewarded as this one over the past decade. It’s as big, passionate and loyal as they come.
Two, Pruitt has direct responsibility in the fact that it wasn’t a bigger crowd. Tennessee did not hold an autograph session with players as has been annual tradition. Annual tradition and an absolutely necessary element for something as useless as a spring “game.” UT announced that autographs will take place at a fan event in August, which is fine, but the absence of interaction with players is naturally going to dissuade people from coming. Families, especially.
And reporters barely got to talk to players during the spring — none was made available after the game — and Pruitt went out of his way to not answer questions about individuals.
Flame on!
But two things about Pruitt’s comments after Saturday’s spring “game” need to be said. One, the idea that he’s simply demanding the best from Tennessee fans is misguided because he already has it. Whether it was actually the 65,000 announced on hand Saturday or 20,000 less as most observers at Neyland Stadium estimated, that’s still a tremendous turnout from a fan base that has been as unrewarded as this one over the past decade. It’s as big, passionate and loyal as they come.
Two, Pruitt has direct responsibility in the fact that it wasn’t a bigger crowd. Tennessee did not hold an autograph session with players as has been annual tradition. Annual tradition and an absolutely necessary element for something as useless as a spring “game.” UT announced that autographs will take place at a fan event in August, which is fine, but the absence of interaction with players is naturally going to dissuade people from coming. Families, especially.
And reporters barely got to talk to players during the spring — none was made available after the game — and Pruitt went out of his way to not answer questions about individuals.
Flame on!
