The one soccer performed is CBS at three o’clock.
I overlook who instructed me this primary, however Vol. I used to be excited to switch and I assume I used to be making an attempt to see what vitality is. I used to speak to individuals and that was the one factor they stored mentioning. Tennessee? That is nice. However you MUST win the ball video games. CBS at three o’clock, that is what we wish. That is the place we need to be.
And I quickly realized what they meant. The three:30 p.m. CBS recreation—it is the most important SEC recreation of the week. You know the way Alabama is. anytime Are you taking part in that recreation? Completely. So I acquired the message: No fooling individuals in Knoxville. They do not need to hear “Tennessee is again” – they need to see it for themselves. Both you are in that three o’clock recreation otherwise you’re not. You both matter or you do not.
We’re vital now.
I am not going to sit down right here and faux this season is ending as I hoped… however I am nonetheless pleased with what we have achieved. And when I attempt to discover a option to put it into phrases, we’re vital now That is what I preserve coming again to. Here is how: If you happen to’re making an attempt to inform the story of this season, you’ll be able to’t go away Tennessee out. We weren’t invincible – however we definitely could not be denied.
I keep in mind once I first joined the crew, it was humorous however my teammates have been skeptical at first. I feel that was the “SEC belief” all of them had. It is like they cannot think about how an ACC man can truly hit the ball. However then we’re in my first observe, and in among the first video games I knocked our defenders down – they stumbled a bit once I swung them. Then we’re within the locker room and everyone seems to be like, “Oh my God, Hendon, I did not know you may transfer like that!! You are quick!!” Or “I did not understand it was in your arm!!! You’ll be able to cling it!!!” And I simply snigger quite a bit and shake my head, “Thanks all. I respect that.” However as humorous as that was to me, it was actually large. As a result of once I got here right here, my predominant aim was to realize the belief and respect of my teammates. I knew this needed to come first. And the whole lot else would observe.
Even when we did not have the most effective document in Yr One, I felt we have been beginning to sow the seeds of success. Most likely the most important seed was planted in our match with Bama. Those that inform you that that is one other crew are mendacity. All people He stands up for Bama. And we got here nearer to profitable final season than individuals thought – we undoubtedly felt like we have been letting somebody get away with it. However on the identical time, “being nearer than individuals assume” means nothing in case you’ve been dropping for 15 years. And the trajectory of final yr actually solidified that message for us. We have been all fed up with these ethical victories. We wished the actual ones.
After which, as for the whole lot else this yr… man, I do not even know what to say. It has been the yr of my life. There are such a lot of recollections that stand out. They beat Pitt in additional time after they have been ranked greater than us. Beating Florida once we have been each undefeated and GameDay was on the town. Defeating LSU in Demise Valley. And it felt like increasingly individuals have been noticing every week. Increasingly persons are saying, “Oh, that is the Tennessee we have heard of. They appear to be an incredible program once more.”
However we knew that if we actually wished to plant that flag for this program, we needed to beat a crew. And I did not even should look When was that match – I can already inform you.
The one soccer performed is CBS at three o’clock.
The loopy factor is that Bama is on my dad’s birthday this yr. And often once I ask her what she needs for her birthday current, it is one thing so simple as “I would like you to return and clear my home”. However this time he did not even attempt with easy. He simply mentioned to me, “I want that W for my birthday. I want that win.”
It is laborious to choose my favourite second from the Bama recreation, however it must be proper earlier than now we have the final ball. There’s 15 seconds left so everybody assumes it should additional time, proper? However Coach Heup comes as much as me and says, “Do you need to take him to additional time? Or do you need to go proper now? And I give him one among these. it appears and mentioned to him, “Come on, let’s end proper now, Coach. I am hungry.”
I’ve by no means been so proud after a recreation. As quickly because it was over, I discovered my mother and pa, and as they hugged me, my mother began shedding large tears and I used to be like, “Hey mother, come on now. We will not look ugly on TV. Now we have to tighten it up.” And naturally my father… I mentioned “Blissful birthday” to him.
It was additionally very significant to have a good time with my teammates and share this pleasure with them. I’ve had a variety of consideration this season and I am grateful for that. However my drawback will not be particular person issues. And what was on my thoughts probably the most that night time was how so many others on our crew acquired on top of things.
Chase’s kick to win him over? Ha, I nearly really feel unhealthy for the chase. As a result of he had one of many biggest hits ever… and none of us have been even shocked. That is how he set such a excessive customary. I keep in mind working to the sideline earlier than that recreation and I used to be like, ‘Oh, Chase kicks? Lovely. Recreation over.” Then I took off my helmet as a result of I knew I did not want it anymore.
And clearly we won’t hit Chase with out Jalin Hyatt being the most effective receiver within the nation. It is a legendary recreation – 5 objectives in a single win in opposition to Bama. My man did his job. However with Jalin, issues go even deeper than that. Lots of people had a variety of opinions about Jalin final yr and I do know it has been a disappointing season for him. However for me, the way in which you measure somebody is how they react to disappointment. And Jalin responded by doing nothing however work laborious and develop. He modified his angle, improved his craft, made these sacrifices. And it is an incredible second to see that it has been of nice profit… He’s my brother.
However probably the most satisfying facet of Bama was in all probability not even soccer. It was seeing our total stadium working onto the sphere and seeing the happiness on the sphere. all people’s faces, you realize what I imply? And getting fully immersed in what this win means for us – not simply as a crew, I am speaking about us past that. For instance, how we are able to look again 5, 10, 25 years later and say: Properly… I can inform you precisely the second when the whole lot modified for this program. FULL second.
He was excellent.
Sadly, it is not as excellent because the Bama recreation.
Once I went up in opposition to South Carolina, I used to be similar to, I hope it is a knee sprain. That was the thought in my thoughts as I left the sphere. However then they took me to the harm tent and mentioned, “Hey. We do not often inform gamers what is going on on this fashion. However that is your ACL.” I used to be nearly to cry at the moment and I requested them, “Is it torn?” I requested. They have been like “it appears so”. Whereas he was telling me this, I feel there was a gradual movement replay for everybody. So I hear my harm proper as a stadium full of individuals yell “OOOOOHHHH” as they watch again. Truthfully, it was overwhelming and at that time I began crying my eyes out.
I’ll by no means cover my emotions – that is how I used to be created. However I additionally satisfaction myself on being strong-willed. So I gave myself a minute and let myself cry within the tent. I did not attempt to not. However after that? I gathered myself and was like this: Okay. Now you might be strolling from this discipline together with your head held excessive. Not only for my very own energy, however for the energy of my teammates. I did not need them to fret about me after they had soccer to play.
And that is how I nonetheless really feel proper now. It was extremely troublesome…it was a devastating harm. However my mindset because the bounce has been: 1. I am going to get the job performed with surgical procedure after which rehab, and a pair of. I am going to return to my crew and be the chief they want.
As a lot as I used to be with my teammates, they have been actually there for me. My roommate is Joe Milton III, and I am speaking to him for the primary time this season about how a lot I need to win a bowling recreation. “Man… I have been in faculty ALL THESE YEARS!! And I by no means received a bowl. So Joe knew higher than anybody how upset I felt inside that I did not get an opportunity to win in the long run. And the very first thing he mentioned to me after my surgical procedure – he checked out me and mentioned, “We’re about to deliver you the bowl win, Hook.” mentioned. This final a part of the season hasn’t been straightforward, however it meant quite a bit.
I am going to finish this text now since you’ve all heard sufficient from me and it is time to give attention to the Orange Bowl. However thanks for taking the time to learn what I’ve to say. Additionally, thanks for taking the time to observe me play, watch my again, and welcome me to the Tennessee household with open arms.
This is not the place I began my soccer profession – it is Virginia Tech and I’ll at all times love them.
And this isn’t the place I ended my soccer profession – I hope that is the NFL and I am unable to wait to indicate them I am the most effective participant on this draft.
However I assume that is mine to unravel That is how my soccer profession will at all times be for me in Tennessee. That is the place I spotted I did not should dream wildly to be in a lineage of greatness that included Condredge Holloway, the SEC’s first Black quarterback. Or Reggie White, who has a vital legacy as a Christian athlete. Or Peyton Manning, who is likely to be the best quarterback ever. In fact, I’d by no means put myself in that group. However Tennessee has actually opened my eyes to the concept I can try to get there – construct my very own legacy. As a black quarterback, as a Christian athlete, as an NFL participant, as a pacesetter, and the whole lot else.
Humorous – we have been strolling on Vol Stroll on our option to the stadium for the Bama recreation. And though I have been on the March, I’ve by no means skilled it in such an exaggerated approach: There are 50,000 individuals on the market displaying like to us, able to go to WAR with us. It was an unbelievable sight. And I will not even lie: As I walked by that crowd… I wished to smile a lot. However I am additionally making an attempt to indicate that killing intuition, proper? I am making an attempt to look a bit powerful. That is why I at all times inform myself, you realize – Hendon, do not smile. This was Bama. It is his job. Don’t crack. And I did not crack!! haha. However now I believed it was okay to inform the reality.
And it was as particular as that match… I can nearly say that the earlier stroll was simply as particular. As a result of it was the sensation What is going to occur subsequent??? We’re the Vols. We’re on this collectively.
You made me really feel this fashion for 2 years.
It was an honor to put on the Energy T.
—Hendon
#Tennessee #Hendon #Hooker
