Walker Hayes will launch his 13-city Good as Gold Tour on Feb. 1 in Uncasville, Conn. Walker will makes stops in Boston, Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit and more before capping the tour on April 27 in San Martin, Calif.
“I am so humbled by folks wanting to see this live that we can do this,” said Walker, who named the tour after a line in his Top 15 song, “You Broke Up With Me.” “I’m so honored to have so many supporters—from my peers to the industry to country radio—on this crazy journey with me. You all have absolutely changed my life.”
Note: Peyton Manning will be OFFICIALLY inducted into the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday night at the 60th annual NFF Banquet. Peyton’s induction will be broadcast live at 8:30 p.m. ET on WatchESPN.
NEW YORK – Peyton Manning rewrote the University of Tennessee football record books as a quarterback from 1994 to 1997, becoming the Volunteers’ all-time leader in passing yards (11,201), wins by a quarterback (39) and passing touchdowns (89), while winning the Davey O’Brien Award, Johnny Unitas Award and the Maxwell Award, among several honors, and leading UT to the 1997 Southeastern Conference Championship.
Still, Manning didn’t mention any awards, records or specific plays when he was asked about his fondest memories during his collegiate career on Tuesday at the New York Hilton Midtown a few hours before he was set to become the 23rd Tennessee Volunteer inducted into the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame.
“Relationships,” Manning said are what he remembers most, and what he was most thankful for from his football career.
“Everybody has expressed their greatest memory has been the relationships with their teammates, coaches, equipment staff, the trainers and video directors – people that are the behind-the-scenes of a football team, but are every bit as important as the star running back,” Manning said during a press conference with the other members of the 2017 Hall of Fame Class.
“I cherish those relationships and fortunately I still have them today even though I don’t still play. That’s my greatest takeaway of my years playing football are those relationships.”
Over 50 friends, family, teammates and Tennessee personnel are in New York for Manning’s induction, proving that one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time was just as great as forming those lasting bonds of friendship as he was at tossing a perfect touchdown pass.
Manning also excelled in the classroom during his four years on Rocky Top, winning the 1997 William V. Campbell Trophy, which is given to the nation’s top football scholar-athlete, and attending the National Football Foundation banquet. Manning is just the second Campbell Trophy winner to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.
“I truly took the role of being a student-athlete very seriously,” Manning said. “I had a great experience during my four years in Knoxville. I remember being amongst those other student-athletes 20 years ago. I met some great guys. I’ve been to this banquet a couple different times and it’s always one of the highlights. I’m just honored to be a part of that group.”
Mannings Become First Father-Son Duo Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
Peyton Manning’s first time at the NFF Banquet was 28 years ago when his father, Archie, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Peyton Manning was 13 years old at the time and he remembered the excitement of being in New York City for the first time.
“My mom let me and my two brothers miss school to come up here and witness our dad go into the Hall of Fame,” Peyton Manning said. “First time wearing a tuxedo. First time being in New York. It was a big deal. I can remember what a big deal it was for my dad.
“It’s kind of surreal getting to experience that same moment tonight. I’m honored to be selected to the College Football Hall of Fame, especially with all of these great players and coaches. To join my dad – it’s quite a unique honor and very humbling.”
Archie Manning is the National Football Foundation Chairman and a 1989 College Football Hall of Famer following a standout career as a quarterback at the University of Mississippi.
Peyton Manning had an appreciation for his dad’s college accolades at young age. He recalled listening to old radio broadcasts of Ole Miss games as a kid.
“I really took an interest in his college football experience,” Peyton Manning said. “I used to listen to the old radio broadcasts of his games. I had a real passion for college football, so to be able to go play at the University of Tennessee – I was honored to have the opportunity to play.”
For Archie, watching his son come full circle and join him as part of the first father-son duo to be inducted as players at the NFF banquet on Tuesday night will be a special moment.
“First of all, I was excited to hear that Peyton was going to be a member of this class,” the elder Manning said. “Tennessee people know how passionate he is about college football – how much he enjoyed his journey at Tennessee.
“He was here that night I was inducted. He and my other sons were in their tuxedos. I think it means a lot to him and we’re honored. To be the first of father-son duo is great.”
Relationships, Tradition are What Make Tennessee Special
Archie Manning talked about relationships, of course, as being a main reason his son had so much success at Tennessee under head coach Phillip Fulmer.
“Peyton’s relationship with Coach Fulmer – quarterback and head coach – through the years was so positive, so good,” Archie Manning said. “David Cutcliffe was there the whole time – he’s a great coach. Randy Sanders recruited him. That whole staff. He was close to those guys. Especially, when he stayed for his senior year. He had a great experience. He loves to keep up with his teammates.
“I think Peyton did what I wish all college players would do. Slow down and enjoy that journey through college. You don’t have to sprint to be an NFL player. There’s a lot there in college – tradition and campus life. I’m proud Peyton took his time and soaked that up.”
Those relationships formed over time and the tradition of 121 years of football are part of what make coming back to Rocky Top special.
When Manning had his on-campus salute for his Hall of Fame induction earlier this fall, he invited all of Tennessee’s living Hall of Fame members to be on the field with him when he received his plaque at Neyland Stadium. His father was there, too, of course.
“The University of Tennessee is an important part of the College Football Hall of Fame,” Peyton Manning said. “The on-campus celebration back in Knoxville this fall was very special. It had all of the other living Hall of Famers represented there in Knoxville. It meant a great deal to me. All out there on the field with me when I actually received my plaque. Obviously, my dad in his role with the National Football Foundation was on the field with me, as well. That was a very special moment. I’ve always been grateful of the support from the University of Tennessee family. It’s meant a great deal to me.
“I believe I’m the 23rd Tennessee Volunteer to be inducted. That certainly says more about Tennessee than it does me. But to join guys like Johnny Majors, Reggie White, Doug Atkins, and like I said, Coach (Phillip) Fulmer and Coach (Doug) Dickey – it’s very humbling.”
The 2017 College Football Hall of Fame Class:
Bob Crable (Notre Dame), Marshall Faulk (San Diego State), Kirk Gibson (Michigan State), Matt Leinart (Southern California), Peyton Manning (Tennessee), Bob McKay (Texas), Dat Nguyen (Texas A&M), Adrian Peterson (Georgia Southern), Mike Ruth (Boston College), Brian Urlacher (New Mexico) and coaches Danny Ford (Clemson, Arkansas), Larry Kehres (Mount Union [Ohio]) and Steve Spurrier (Duke, Florida, South Carolina).
Manning is the third Tennessee quarterback to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, joining Dodd, who starred at Tennessee from 1928-30, and Cafego (1938-39).
Seventy-five All-America coaches and six elite coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 95 players and 29 coaches from the divisional ranks were on the ballot. The Hall of Fame Honors Court, comprised of members of the National Football Foundation, athletics directors, coaches and members of CoSIDA, are responsible for the final vote for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.
An Unmatched Professional and Collegiate Career
After 18 outstanding years in the NFL, setting league passing and touchdown records and winning his second Super Bowl last January, Manning retired from the game of football.
Leading the Denver Broncos to a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50, Manning earned his 200th career win (regular season and postseason included) to become the first player to reach that milestone. He is also the only quarterback in NFL history to have led two different franchises (he won Super Bowl XLI with the Indianapolis Colts) to Super Bowl Championships. Manning retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards (71,940), passing touchdowns (539), game-winning drives (56), fourth-quarter comebacks (45) and regular-season wins (186, tied with Brett Favre). He was also a five-time NFL MVP (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2013) and a 14-time Pro Bowl selection.
Manning is the Vols’ all-time leader in passing yards (11,201), wins by a quarterback (39), 300-yard games (18), passing touchdowns (89), pass attempts (1,381) and pass completions (863). His 11,020 total yards of offense, 10 games of 300 passing yards, 22 home wins and 13 road wins are also Tennessee records.
Manning was the 1994 SEC Freshman of the year and earned All-SEC honors in 1995 and 1996. He was an Associated Press and Football News Third-Team All-American in 1996. In 1997, Manning was a consensus All-American and won the William V. Campbell Trophy, the Davey O’Brien Award, the Johnny Unitas Award, the NCAA QB of the Year award, the Maxwell Award, the James E. Sullivan Award, the Today’s Top VIII Award and SEC Player of the Year. He led the Vols to a 30-29 win over Auburn in the 1997 SEC Championship, earning MVP honors. Manning also received the 1998 ESPY for Best College Football Player.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Tennessee freshman offensive lineman Trey Smith has been named to 2017 All-Southeastern Conference Coaches’ Football Second Team, as announced by the conference office on Tuesday.
Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players. The SEC individual award winners will be released Wednesday and the All-Freshman Team will be announced Thursday.
Smith is Tennessee’s first offensive lineman to earn Coaches All-SEC honors since Antonio Richardson earned Second Team accolades in 2013. On Monday, Smith was named to The Associated Press All-SEC Second Team.
The Jackson, Tennessee, native was the only Tennessee offensive lineman to start all 12 games for the Vols in 2017. He had eight starts at right guard, three at left tackle and one at left guard. Smith led the Vols in pancakes and was UT’s second-highest rated offensive lineman behind only senior Jashon Robertson. Smith became the first Tennessee true freshman to start at left tackle in at least 30 years.
Smith made several highlight reels with his physical blocking style and showed the poise of a veteran player despite 2017 being his first year of college football. Smith’s blocking helped pave the way for career-best seasons by running backs John Kelly(778 rushing yards), Ty Chandler (305 yards) and Carlin Fils-aime (215 yards).
Smith, who is also a candidate for Freshman All-America honors, was the No. 1 overall rated player in the nation in 2017 recruiting according to ESPN.com.
Luke Bryan is gearing up to release his sixth studio album, What Makes You Country, on Dec. 8. Produced by Jeff Stevens and Jody Stevens, What Makes You Country features 15 songs, seven of which were co-written by Luke, including the title track.
Since making the album announcement in October, Luke has engaged people from all walks of life to represent what “country” means to them, using the hashtag #WhatMakesMeCountry.
As Luke told his Universal Music Group label, what makes the Georgia native country is a combination of “manners, work ethic, fishing, hunting, sports and church.”
“I think that what makes me country is where I was raised—Leesburg, Georgia—how I was brought up saying ‘Yes sir,’ ‘No sir,’ ‘Yes, ma’am,’ ‘No, ma’am,’ hopefully with manners and raised with a work ethic and raised in the outdoors fishing and hunting and playing sports,” says Luke. “I would say definitely it starts with my small-town upbringing and how we were raised—church on Sundays as much as we could. But just enjoying life and living life in a small town.”
Tennessee acting athletic director Phillip Fulmer is on Day 5 of his coaching search, and not much is certain.
But we do know this: Duke coach David Cutcliffe is not in the running.
“I’m not involved in any part of the Tennessee situation,’’ Cutcliffe texted me yesterday.
Cutcliffe was apparently offered the job Nov 27 and said no.
I’m sure he talked to Fulmer recently, and provided the same answer.
In the case of Cutcliffe, and perhaps some other coaches, Fulmer might also be asking for recommendations or backgrounds on other potential candidates.
That would be a reason Fulmer would call someone like former Texas coach Mack Brown, 66.
So where is Fulmer in the search?
I believe he will interview a number of candidates in New York as he attends the College Hall of Fame induction ceremony of Peyton Manning.
I believe Fulmer has talked to or interviewed:
* SMU coach Chad Morris, who was also interviewed by fired athletic director John Currie but never offered the job. Morris was a high school coach in Texas seven years ago. Morris has also interviewed for the Arkansas job.
* Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, a former UT player and assistant coach. He has worked for six coaches who have won a national championship.
* Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, who has also been DC at Auburn and Florida State.
* Former LSU coach Les Miles, 64, who won a national title and two SEC championships for the Tigers – the same as Fulmer at Tennessee.
* Purdue coach Jeff Brohm, a former Louisville quarterback who had a sparkling record at Western Kentucky, where he was 30-10 after replacing Willie Taggert.
* Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables, the 2016 Broyles Assistant Coach of the Year. Venables has had great success at Clemson and Oklahoma. He played at Kansas State.
* Georgia defensive coordinator Mel Tucker, 45. Tucker, who played at Wisconsin, has worked nine years as a full-time college assistant (four in the SEC) and 10 years as an NFL assistant (Browns, Jags, Bears).
* Washington State coach Mike Leach, who I believe had a verbal agreement in place with Currie. I don’t know if Fulmer contacted Leach as a courtesy move or is serious about possibly hiring Leach.
* USC offensive coordinator Tee Martin, who led the Vols to a 1998 national championship. Some who admire Martin don’t think he’s ready to be a head coach.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Tennessee kicked the tires on Washington coach Chris Peterson and Stanford coach David Shaw. Chances of landing either one are remote.
Heck, Fulmer might have even called former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops to gauge his interest – or bounce some candidates names Stoops’ way.
It will be interesting to see what Fulmer does in the next few days.
Perhaps his closest mentor is Doug Dickey, Fulmer’s college coach and UT’s athletic director when Fulmer won his national title. Dickey also hired Fulmer as head coach.
You also wonder if Fulmer hasn’t studied the way Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez has run his program. Alvarez is a former Badgers’ coach who has had great success in keeping the school’s football program winning at a high level.
I don’t know what Fulmer is going to do, but here’s my best guess: He will interview several candidates in New York, pare his list to a few, then make an offer.
I think he will hire a coach by Thursday.
If not, UT runs the risk of ruining a potentially strong recruiting class.
Quarterback commit Adrian Martinez is set to visit Nebraska and he’s visited Ohio State and Missouri.
Quarterback Michael Penix is visiting Florida.
Gibbs’ offensive lineman Ollie Lane has an offer from Nebraska.
You’ve also had de-commits from OL Cade Mays, CB Jaycee Horn, RB Lyn J. Dixon and athlete Alontae Taylor.
Tennessee could have as many as a dozen visitors this weekend.
If you don’t have a coach in place within the next 48 hours, you might postpone those visits, because it doesn’t make a lot of sense to bring prospects to your campus without knowing who their head coach is.
I’m not in favor of rushing a hire to save a recruiting class, but if you can identify your guy soon, that would surely help.
After a lengthy legal battle, Texas officials released the video footage of Randy Travis’ DWI arrest in 2012.
The three-hour video was filmed by police in 2012 after Randy crashed his 1988 Trans Am outside of Tioga, Texas. The video shows Randy, who is naked, acting belligerent to officers. Randy’s blood-alcohol level was 0.21—more than twice the legal limit to operate a motor vehicle—and he later pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated.
Randy’s legal team, which had exhausted its options on the state level, turned to the federal courts in an effort to keep the video private, citing HIPPA laws and the fact that Randy suffered a stroke in 2013 and has no “present ability to comment on the tape or defend himself if necessary.” However, a federal judge denied the country icon’s request to keep the video private.
Randy’s team released the following statement after the video became public:
Randy’s behavior was extremely altered the evening of his arrest due to the state of his mental health, and substances in his body, causing him to do and say things that were entirely out of character. He suffered a severe concussion and sustained numerous other injuries from the crash.
Notwithstanding the release of the tape, Randy and his team will have their day in court regarding the ongoing lawsuit against the State of Texas in relation to the violation of his civil rights.
Randy Travis is well-known to be a loving, caring person who is respectful of everyone, a video that shows anything otherwise only underscores that he was absolutely not himself. Randy is deeply apologetic for his actions that evening. A man of integrity with a good heart, Randy does not and will never condone these types of actions that distort the true beliefs of Randy Travis and his entire family.
ATLANTA– Tennessee freshman offensive lineman Trey Smith has been named to the The Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference Second Team, as announced by the AP on Monday.
Smith is Tennessee’s first offensive lineman to earn AP All-SEC honors since Dylan Wiesman earned Second Team accolades in 2015.
The Jackson, Tennessee, native was the only Tennessee offensive lineman to start all 12 games for the Vols in 2017. He had eight starts at right guard, three at left tackle and one at left guard. Smith led the Vols in pancakes and was UT’s second-highest rated offensive lineman behind only senior Jashon Robertson. Smith became the first Tennessee true freshman to start at left tackle in at least 30 years.
Smith made several highlight reels with his physical blocking style and showed the poise of a veteran player despite 2017 being his first year of college football. Smith’s blocking helped pave the way for career-best seasons by running backs John Kelly(778 rushing yards), Ty Chandler (305 yards) and Carlin Fils-aime (215 yards).
Smith, who is also a candidate for Freshman All-America honors, was the No. 1 overall rated player in the nation in 2017 recruiting according to ESPN.com.
TAMPA, Fla. — Tennessee senior tight end Ethan Wolf has accepted an invitation to play in the 93rd East-West Shrine Game. The game will be held on Jan. 20, 2018, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, with a 3 p.m. ET kickoff on NFL Network.
The East-West Shrine Game Radio Network will also have a live audio broadcast.
Wolf will be the 48th Vol to play in the East-West Shrine Game, which started in 1925, and the first VFL to take part in the game since Justin Coleman in 2015.
Wolf played in 50 games over his four-year UT career with 47 starts. He finished his career with 91 receptions for 998 yards and seven touchdowns. His 91 career catches are the second-most ever by at Tennessee tight end (Reggie Harper had 98 from 1977-80) and his 998 receiving yards rank third among UT tight ends behind only Harper’s 1,141 yards and Mychal Rivera’s 1,018 from 2010-12.
Wolf joins an elite list of football greats, such as Tom Brady, John Elway, Brett Favre and 74 NFL Hall of Famers, who have played in the East-West Shrine Game, in addition to more than 265 East-West Shrine Game alumni on NFL rosters each year. A strong performance at the East-West Shrine Game can greatly impact a player’s chances of a career in the NFL. More than 100 players from last year’s game signed with professional teams this spring, and more than 70 made final NFL rosters.
“The most important element of East-West Shrine Game has always been supporting Shriners Hospitals for Children,” East-West Shrine Game Executive Director Harold Richardson said. “But during game week, it also affords our players an unmatched opportunity to showcase their talents and get their first taste of a potential career in the NFL.”
While the teams are divided by East and West, the players come together for the beneficiary of the event, Shriners Hospitals for Children®, an international pediatric specialty health care system that treats children in orthopaedics, spinal cord injuries, cleft lift and palate, and burns, regardless of the families’ ability to pay.
East-West Shrine Game tickets will be available for purchase at this link or through tickets.com. Game tickets are $15 general admission seating (price does not include service fees).
About Shriners Hospitals for Children
Shriners Hospitals for Children is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. The 22 hospitals in the United States, Canada and Mexico provide advanced care for children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate.
Shriners Hospitals for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies on the generosity of donors. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. To learn more about Shriners Hospitals for Children, please visit shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.
Garth Brooks scored his first No. 1 single in more than 10 years as “Ask Me How I Know” ascended to the top of both the Mediabase and Billboard Country Airplay charts. Garth’s previous No. 1 single was 2007’s “More Than a Memory.”
“Ask Me How I Know,” which was penned by Mitch Rossell, is Garth’s 20th career No. 1. This feat also marks a full-circle moment for Garth, as this week is the 28th anniversary of his first No. 1, “If Tomorrow Never Comes,” on Dec. 9, 1989.
“I’m so proud of the Pearl Records team for working so hard for this number one,” said Garth. “Congrats to Mitch Rossell on his first cut—so happy for you, pal! And to country radio, four decades later, thanks for still believing. I’m humbled and very grateful.”
Garth is kicking off the final North American run of the Garth Brooks World Tour this week, returning to Nashville on Dec. 9, where he will play seven shows at Bridgestone Arena to mark the end of the tour.
