Tennessee football is making sure Dolly Parton is part of the season every time the Volunteers take the field.
At his press conference on August 31, head coach Josh Heupel said the program will wear a commemorative helmet sticker for every game this season to honor Parton, the beloved East Tennessee native whose death has been felt far beyond the state.
“For a bunch of our players, first experience inside Neyland Stadium. Everybody inside the program is excited about kicking this thing off on Saturday.
Culmination of the work that goes into it, dating all the way back to last January as we started our offseason program. I'm excited to go play and compete with these guys, and you know ultimately we will find out where we are at, and where we have got to continue to grow, but looking forward to the weekend.”
Heupel then turned to Parton and what she meant to Tennessee, saying, "It would be remiss if I didn't talk about the passing of Dolly Parton. All that she has meant across the world, this country, and certainly the queen of East Tennessee.
A lady that was extremely proud of her roots. You look at her impact, you know, just her ability to give back and make an impact on people.
Certainly here in East Tennessee. She meant a lot to people across the country, but certainly here in the state of Tennessee, too, so we will be wearing a sticker patch on the back of our helmet to recognize her accomplishments and everything that she has meant, as she had an impact here in Tennessee."
Heupel said.
Parton, a Sevier County High School graduate from Sevierville, had long been tied to the University of Tennessee and proudly represented her home state throughout her career. Her connection to the school includes an honorary degree in 2009 for her career and philanthropic work through the Imagination Library, a 2009 commencement speech at UT Knoxville in which she urged students to "dream more", and her 2023 rendition of "Rocky Top" at Neyland Stadium while dressed in Vols orange and white alongside Peyton Manning.
Tennessee opens the season this weekend at home against 1-0 Furman, and the tribute will be on display from the start.
In Other News...
Tennessee Just Got An Important Ethan Davis Update Before The Opener
Tennessee got a timely boost with the season opener looming, as Ethan Davis has returned to practice after being shaken up on the first day of preseason camp and missing multiple weeks. The starting tight end is expected to be a key piece of the Volunteers offense this season, so getting him back on the field before game week matters more than just about any other update the team could have wanted.
Josh Heupel confirmed Davis will be available against Furman, which removes at least one early concern from Tennessees preparation. Even after the missed time, Davis still figures to have an important role, and now the next question is how quickly he can shake off the layoff and settle back into the rhythm the Vols need from him. [Read more 🡒]
Heupels Offensive Control Just Got Bigger For Tennessees New QB
Josh Heupels offense has always carried his fingerprints, and that remains true heading into his sixth season in Knoxville. The Tennessee coach has already guided the Volunteers to two 10-win regular seasons and a College Football Playoff appearance, while continuing to stay heavily involved in the playcalling alongside offensive coordinator Joey Halzle.
Now that familiarity may matter even more for the Vols next quarterback. True freshman Faizon Brandon won the starting job over George MacIntyre for the 2026 season, giving Tennessee a young passer stepping into a system Heupel knows as well as anyone. With Furman up first, the early part of the schedule should offer a clearer picture of how much control the staff keeps as Brandon settles in. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessees Lead Back Has Something To Prove Before Week 1
DeSean Bishop is back in the spotlight for Tennessee after delivering a 1,000-yard season with 16 touchdowns last year, yet the preseason recognition did not quite match the production. He returns as the Volunteers lead running back heading into a backfield that also includes three sophomore backups, giving Tennessee a young rotation to sort through before the games start counting.
The omission from the Doak Walker Award preseason watch list adds a little edge to Bishops fall, even if it does not change what he has already done for the program. With Tennessee set to open the season against Furman on Sept. 5, Bishop has a chance to remind voters and the rest of the SEC that last year was not a one-off. [Read more 🡒]