A quick message from a DudefromTennessee...

Being born and raised in Knoxville, I'm about as true Orange as it gets.I've fussed and cussed and trash talked with every school in existence, Georgia being one of the major ones. I've argued, picked on, made fun of and run down any and all schools Tennessee has played. But, with that said, it has ALWAYS been done with a veil of respect! Especially with the top schools in the SEC! Every program eventually goes through it's own tumultuous times and must bite from the ... of despair. Tennessee is currently suffering with a mouth full now.

Most Vol fans did not like the hire of Kiffin but was forced to accept and back the staff. And everyone that I know, would hold their breath every time he would get up to speak. Just waiting on something new to fall and more bullets for the fans to dodge. Though it could not be shown, most hated a lot of what was being done to this program. What was seen after Kiffins announced departure was NOT because Tennessee fans did not want him leaving, it was done because of a few different things. #1 Timing, that staff knew very well that what they were doing would completely cripple this program for many years.
#2 was the fact that even before the press conference was over, Orgeron was on the phone calling recruits to try to pull them to USC.
#3, Kiffin REFUSED to speak to the fans that backed him and welcomed him, his staff and his family. He also refused to allow anything to be broadcast live. And #4 He even refused to speak with any of the parents and even locked himself in his office and refused to come out until the parents were made to leave.

The parents were not looking for blood, they were only to have their questions answered. He also refused to answer questions and stated that if questions were asked during the press conference, he would stop immediately and would leave.

None of this truly matters now and is really not my reason for this post. The true reason for this post is mainly as a thank you. And will be left at many of the SEC forums. Although there have been many that have enjoyed/loved what has happened to Tennessee, the majority that have visited the Tennessee forums have been incredibly encouraging and gracious. Although on the field and in the stands, there is no love lost, there is a semi-sense of respect among most SEC teams. I may not like Georgia much, but what you have accomplished is deserved and respected. It was done on the field, it was earned!

Yes, I still hope that we destroy you and all other teams next year, yes I will boo your team when they take the field, and yes I will wear my Orange proudly regardless of how well we play! But you have my respect for your accomplishments and today, again I say thank you for the words that some have said during this time. They were full of class. You have my thanks and best wishes for next year! I truly wish you the best of luck...

Until we get there and beat the hell out of you.

God Bless
Go Big Orange!!!!!

Thanks for the post, well said. You'll find that this particular forum does indeed have a lot of class members. You are welcome here any time and without restating your comments, I'll just \"ditto\" our stance toward UT and any other opponent we face. After all, that's what its all about!!! One thing we can all agree on....SEC RULES!!!!!

I did feel bad for Tennessee in all this. The coach thing......the bad color thing......the ugly dog mascot thing.......so much suffering for those people.

Nice post Dudefrom Tennessee. Tennessee is a proud program that we hate/respect as well. A well played game against a Fulmer coached Tennessee squad was always a matter of pride. I didn't feel Kiffin represented your school very well at all. I'm not surprised at all to hear you say that most of you didn't want him there.

Personally, even as a die-hard Dawg, I'm glad Kiffin is gone. I didn't like seeing a proud SEC program like yours run by that hack. In the long run, you would've been a lot worse off if he'd stayed IMO.

I know it's little consolation, but enjoy watching the troubles to come for USC with Kiffin there.

Has there been a charity set up for the poor unfortunate people in Knoxville? The suffering those people have to endure makes my heart weep.

If I had to wear those colors day in and day out and be mistaken for a work release prisoner I would be devastated.

kentdaddy wrote:

Has there been a charity set up for the poor unfortunate people in Knoxville? The suffering those people have to endure makes my heart weep.

If I had to wear those colors day in and day out and be mistaken for a work release prisoner I would be devastated.

Lol, Nice Lol... It's unfortunate that we didn't luck up and have red uniforms like you, I mean that really helped you guys out this year. I mean those red uniforms really hid all the bleeding that your guys were doing after Tennessee got finished with them... Lol.