HISTORY
retired numbers
On Sept. 15, 2012, the University of Tennessee announced the retirement of the jersey of legend Johnny Majors (45). Based on the new criteria for these types of honors, the jersey of Majors is being retired, but the number 45 is not being taken out of circulation. This will be the case for all subsequent Tennessee football players whose jerseys are retired. In 2005, ceremonies were held to retire the jerseys of Doug Atkins (91), Peyton Manning (16) and Reggie White (92). Also, in 2006 four former Vols, Clyde (lg) Fuson (62), Rudy Klarer (49), Bill Nowling (32), and WIllis Tucker (61), who died in World War II and had their jerseys retired in 1946. Ceremonies were held during the 2006 UT-Air Force game to officially memorialize those four players killed in World War II.
Four Vols who died during World War II had their jerseys retired in 1946. Ceremonies were held on Sept. 9, 2006.
16
Peyton Manning Ceremony Oct. 29, 2005
Manning is the most decorated athlete in UT history. He left Tennessee as the SEC’s all-time leading passer with 11,201 yards, setting 42 passing records during his Vols career that included two NCAA, seven SEC and 33 UT marks. Off the field, Manning won the Draddy Award as National ScholarAthlete of the Year in 1997 and graduated in three years with a degree in speech communications. He graduated with the highest grade-point average (3.61) in his field. During his pro career, Manning has earned Pro Bowl honors 11 times in his 14 seasons played and garnered an NFL-record four MVP awards (2004, 05, 08, 09). Manning led the Colts to two Super Bowl appearances (XLI & XLIV) including XLI MVP honors.
91
JOHNNY MAJORS Ceremony Sept. 15, 2012
A 1987 inductee of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame, Majors played for the Volunteers from 1954-1956. He earned both SEC Player of the Year honors and All-SEC selection at tailback twice, in 1955 and 1956. A unanimous All-American in 1956, he finished second in the Heisman Trophy balloting after leading the Vols to a 10-1 record, an appearance in the Sugar Bowl, and a final national ranking of No. 2. 146
2013 Tennessee FOOTBALL
Ceremony Nov. 19, 2005
Doug Atkins is considered by many to be the greatest defensive linemen in football history. After originally signing with UT on a basketball scholarship, Atkins went on to gridiron All-America status in 1952, was the only player to be unanimously named to the All-SEC Quarter Century Team (1950-74) and was selected SEC Player of the Quarter Century. Atkins retired with the most NFL games played (205) by a defensive lineman. The Vols went 29-4-1 with Atkins on the field and won the 1951 national championship.
62
Clyde (Ig) Fuson
49
Rudy Klarer
32
Bill Nowling
61
Willis Tucker
(March 11, 1923 — Dec. 4, 1944), a native of Middlesboro, Ky., and fullback on the 1942 team, shared playing time with Nowling. Ig had a younger brother, Herschel (Ug) Fuson, who was a freshman on the 1942 team.
(March 9, 1923 — Jan. 6, 1945) was a reserve guard in 1941 and starter in 1942, from Louisville, Ky.
92
45
Doug Atkins
Reggie White Ceremony Oct. 1, 2005
White, who died Dec. 26, 2004, at the age of 43, collected a schoolrecord 32 sacks in his four years with the Vols to establish himself as the most prolific pass rusher in Tennessee history. Fifteen of those sacks came in his senior year of 1983, a campaign former Vols head coach Phillip Fulmer called the “most individually dominant season I’ve ever seen.” Known as the “Minister of Defense,” White went on to a 17-year pro football career, retiring as the NFL’s all-time sack leader with 198. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002. He graduated from Tennessee in 1990.
(Aug. 8, 1920 — Aug. 9, 1944), a fullback 1940-42, from St. Petersburg, Fla., was a three-year starter.
(May 10, 1918 — Nov. 28, 1944), a graduate of Knoxville High School, earned a Vol football letter in 1940 and was a sprint star on the track team.