Tennessee AD Hints at Switch to Dolly Parton Song for 4th Quarter Anthem
The Volunteers will feature Parton songs, helmet stickers and a halftime tribute, with the band streaming the performance for fans online.
- On Saturday, the Tennessee Volunteers will honor the late Dolly Parton at their season opener, with Athletics Director Danny White announcing tributes planned throughout the game and butterfly helmet stickers worn all season.
- Parton, an 80-year-old country music icon and East Tennessee native, died recently after a brief battle with cancer, leaving a lasting legacy spanning decades across the region and globe.
- The Pride of the Southland Band will feature Parton's hits "I Will Always Love You" and "9 to 5" during halftime, with the performance split into two parts celebrating Smokey XII's debut and honoring Parton.
- White confirmed the school will replace its usual fourth-quarter anthem by Morgan Wallen with a Parton song for the season opener, though the specific hit has not been revealed to fans.
- Southland Band Director Michael Stewart noted the Pride had little time to adapt after Parton's death, yet the group will capture the energy she showed throughout her life in their performance.
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The Oregonian
College football team to honor Dolly Parton throughout season-opener
Not only will the Tennessee Volunteers honor Dolly Parton this season with helmet stickers, but the school’s athletic director made it clear the season-opener will honor the country music legend.
Tennessee AD hints at switch to Dolly Parton song for 4th quarter anthem
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — University of Tennessee Director of Athletics Danny White said Saturday's season opener at Neyland Stadium will feature multiple tributes to Dolly Parton and hinted at a change to the song played heading into the fourth quarter. Tennessee had already announced that the team would wear special helmet decals honoring Parton, who [...]
Tennessee Volunteers Replace Morgan Wallen’s 4th Quarter Anthem At Neyland Stadium With A Dolly Parton Classic
The Tennessee Volunteers are taking their Dolly Parton tribute a step further for the upcoming 2026-27 college football season. It’s still hard to accept that the world has lost its “Queen of Country Music.” She passed away last week at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer, and ever since, tributes have been pouring in from all across the world. There’s even corn mazes all across the country that will be honoring the late, great co…
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