6 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee Volunteers has a long and rich football tradition spanning more than 100 years. Here are six facts you may not know about the Volunteers:

1. Tennessee holds the distinction of having won two National Championships in consecutive seasons.

In 1998, they were crowned champion after an undefeated season. In this season, they also earned the title of being the only team to defeat Florida State in that year’s Bowl Championship Series. The following season, they became the first team to win a BCS National Championship after defeating Florida State 23-16.

2. Tennessee has produced some of college football’s all-time greatest players, including two Heisman Trophy winners: Peyton Manning and Johnny Majors.

Peyton Manning was an All-American at Tennessee in 1997 and won the Heisman Trophy as a senior in 1998. He went on to have a successful career in the NFL with multiple Super Bowl appearances and wins. Johnny Majors won the Heisman Trophy in 1956 during his tenure as quarterback for Tennessee. He later coached successfully at both Pittsburgh and Tennessee.

3. Tennessee has the most wins in SEC Championship Games with six.

The Volunteers have won an impressive six SEC Championships, including three consecutive titles from 1997-1999 and two back-to-back championships from 2001-2002 and 2004-2005. This is the most of any team in the conference’s history.

4. Tennessee’s home field, Neyland Stadium, is one of the largest stadiums in college football with a seating capacity of over 102,000 people.

Neyland Stadium holds more fans than any other stadium in college football and can reach near capacity for all of its games each season due to its large size and popularity among fans both in the state and across the country.

5. The Volunteers’ mascot is a live bronze eagle named Smokey, who makes appearances at every home game and other select events throughout the year.

Smokey has been part of the Tennessee spirit since 1953 and is one of the most recognizable mascots in college football today. He plays an important role in gameday festivities by leading cheers, taking photos with fans, and even inspiring some play calls from the sidelines!

6. Tennessee’s football program boasts a total of 11 undefeated seasons over the course of its history.

The Volunteers have had several successful runs in which they went through entire seasons without losing a single game, including back-to-back perfect years in 1923 and 1924, as well as 1993, 1998, 2001 and more recently 2007. This impressive record speaks to the remarkable legacy of the Tennessee football program over time.

For more than 100 years, the University of Tennessee’s rich football tradition has produced some of college football’s greatest players and teams. From National Championships to Heisman Trophy winners, these six facts demonstrate why the Volunteers are one of the most storied programs around. There is no doubt that UT fans have plenty to be proud of when it comes to the Tennessee Volunteers!

If you’re a fan of college football, there’s no doubt that the University of Tennessee should be on your list of teams to root for. Go Vols!