ESPN Films is putting Tee Martin back in the spotlight.
The network is set to release “SEVENTEEN, presented by Southwest,” a new entry in its long-running “SEC Storied” series that focuses on Martin and Tennessee’s undefeated 1998 national championship team. The title carries a double meaning: it was Martin’s jersey number, and it also points to the Volunteers’ 13-0 season.
Martin’s place in Tennessee history has always been about more than numbers. He stepped in after Peyton Manning, one of the most beloved players in program history, and handled the transition without letting the moment swallow him. Instead of buckling under the pressure, he guided Tennessee to a perfect season and capped it with a Fiesta Bowl win over Florida State for the national title.
Director Spencer Barry reportedly took inspiration from Martin’s full path, from his Alabama upbringing to the intense spotlight in Knoxville. The film traces how Martin went from those roots to leading an undefeated championship team after taking over for a quarterback who had just won it all with someone else wearing the jersey.
“SEVENTEEN” will debut at 9 p.m. ET on October 1 on SEC Network. It will air immediately after the Tennessee-Auburn women’s soccer matchup.
ESPN has already explored this era before. The network’s “Book of Manning” is one of its most-viewed documentaries, and this new film shifts the lens from the Manning family to the quarterback who followed him and still delivered a title. For Tennessee fans, 1998 has never really gone away, and this documentary gives them another chance to revisit it through Martin’s story.
Tee Martin didn’t ask to be the man after Peyton Manning. He just won a national championship anyway. On October 1, Tennessee fans get to see that run again.
In Other News...
Tennessee's Kennesaw State Game Has A Knoxville Twist Fans Will Notice
No. 14 Tennessee gets a familiar-tinged matchup in Week 3 when Kennesaw State comes to Neyland Stadium on SEC Network, with the two programs meeting for the first time. For Vols fans, the interest goes beyond a nonconference game against a new opponent, because this one comes with a Knoxville connection tucked into the Owls roster.
Kennesaw State redshirt freshman kicker Daniel Kinney is a former Bearden High School athlete, giving the trip to Knoxville a little extra meaning. Kinney has already seen game action for the Owls and has handled both field goals and extra points, so even in a game that figures to draw attention for Tennessees side, there is at least one local name worth keeping an eye on once the ball gets kicked. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Fans Now Have A Massive Neyland Change To Debate
A major new development is set to reshape the edge of Tennessee footballs home turf, with 865 Neyland officially announced as an entertainment district and 24-story hotel and residential tower adjacent to Neyland Stadium. The privately funded, $288 million project is slated to bring hotel rooms, luxury residences and condo units to one of the most recognizable corners of Knoxville, along with outdoor plazas, LED displays and a mix of dining and entertainment options.
Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with completion projected for 2028-2029, giving fans plenty of time to debate what the area around the stadium will look like once the dust settles. For a place so tied to game days and tradition, the scale of the change is hard to ignore, and the questions around how the new district will fit alongside the existing atmosphere are likely to linger well beyond the announcement. [Read more 🡒]
Which Former Vol Delivered Week 1s Biggest NFL Moment
Opening week of the NFL season turned into a showcase for several former Tennessee standouts, with Josh Palmer delivering the kind of moment that grabs attention well beyond a box score. The Bills receiver came down with the game-winning touchdown, while Trey Smith and Darnell Wright each handled full-time work for their clubs by starting and playing every offensive snap. It was a strong early reminder that Tennessees pipeline to the league still runs through players capable of shaping meaningful games right away.
There was more than one Volunteer footprint across the league, too, as other Tennessee alumni made their debuts or got on the field in season openers. The broader takeaway for Tennessee fans is familiar and encouraging: the programs recent veterans are not just hanging around NFL rosters, they are showing up in roles that matter. Even with one headline moment stealing the spotlight, Week 1 offered a fuller snapshot of how many former Vols are carving out real jobs on Sundays. [Read more 🡒]