Arion Carter’s first tackle of the season came with more than just a defensive payoff.
The Tennessee linebacker tracked down Georgia Tech wide receiver Kevin Roche Jr. for a 22-yard gain on the game’s second drive Sept. 12, and that stop put the donation meter in motion. Carter has pledged to give $427 for every tackle he records this season, along with $500 for each sack, $1,000 for every interception or forced fumble and $5,000 for any defensive touchdown.
The $427 figure is no accident. It is a pointed nod to the NCAA, which suspended Carter for one game after he accepted a $427 flight to an NFL pre-draft training facility. The governing body still ruled it an impermissible benefit, though it reduced the punishment from two games to one.
“You can’t really change the circumstances you’re put in," Carter said on Sept. 7. "So I tried to turn a negative into a positive and put a smile on people’s faces."
Carter’s effort is tied to a cause that hits close to home. His girlfriend, Mariah Bryant, was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in February, and Carter cut his hair to match hers while she goes through chemotherapy.
"My mom has always wanted to raise a nonprofit foundation to help women and little girls," Carter said. "And with what my girlfriend has gone through these last few months, it really touched my heart. It made me have a different perspective, and I wanted to raise awareness and set up a foundation for cancer research."
Through Week 2, Carter’s total donation stands at $427. At his current pace, he is projected to give $4,697 this season.
Last year, Carter posted 76 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and no defensive touchdowns. If he had made the same pledge then, his total would have topped $34,000.
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Tennessees First Road Win Still Left Vols Fans With One Concern
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Even so, the finish left a familiar unease for fans who watched Georgia Tech keep pressing late. Tennessee backed off into a more conservative approach as the Yellow Jackets tried to chip away at the margin, and for a moment it felt like the game might get tighter than it had any business being. The Vols still handled the comeback push, but the way the closing minutes unfolded offered a reminder that there is still a little polishing left to do. [Read more 🡒]