Published: December 06, 2007 06:50 pm      

Whatever happened to Tee Martin?

A tale of Tennessee football

Football fans remember Martin as the quarterback who led the University of Tennessee to the National Championship in 1998. And the one other thing he did — his predecessor, Peyton Manning, never could: Beat Florida.

And what about Cody Douglas? Or Constantin Ritzmann? Or James Wilhoit? Or the hundreds of other familiar names whom we loved to watch on Saturday afternoons but who, seemingly, disappeared after their football careers in Knoxville ended.

Here's the answer: They are coming back to Neyland Stadium to play football. Again. This time for the new All American Football League's Tennessee team which starts play at Neyland Stadium this coming spring.

"In Tennessee especially, players may be gone but they are never forgotten," Martin said. "The AAFL is a pro football league for the fans who wish they could still see their favorite college players. And there are lots of them: players who want to play and fans who want to see them."

Tennessee is one of six teams in the All American Football League. The new league will feature players from great college programs reuniting to recreate great rivalries in great stadiums. Places like the Swamp in Gainesville, War Memorial in Little Rock, and Legion Field in Birmingham.

The league plays in the spring and requires all of its players to have college degrees.

"This could be the greatest thing ever to happen to pro football," said Hall of Famer Joe DeLamielleure. "Fans will have a chance to see players hey know playing for the same team year after year. And with players like Heisman winner Eric Crouch, and Chris Leak, the former Gator quarterback of the reigning national champion — and now Tee Martin, there are going to

be lots of great players in this league."

As one of the greatest offensive linemen in the history of pro and college football, DeLamielleure should know. You didn't think O.J. Simpson set all those records without great blocking, did you?

In Florida, the AAFL team has attracted old Tennessee rivals including Travis McGriff, Fred Weary and Chris Doering. In Alabama, Freddie Milons, Marcus Spencer, and Reggie Myles will be visiting Knoxville in the spring to recreate their big games. In Arkansas, Clint Stoerner has something to prove. The list goes on and on with great players from Michigan and Texas rounding out the league.

Tennessee is not the only place where Tee Martin is remembered. Down in Florida, former Gator Travis McGriff remembers Tennessee's national championship season.

"We thought we had the best team in the nation that year," McGriff said. "But when we went to Knoxville for their fourth game of the season, we knew they were good. Tee Martin had a great game that people in Florida still remember. Tennessee won. And a few months later they would be national champs."

Another AAFL player from Arkansas also remembers the 1998 edition of Tee Martin and his Volunteers. Clint Stoerner was quarterbacking a Razorback team that was leading Tennessee with time running out. A turnover put the ball back into Tee Martin's hands. And in the most famous game ever played between those two schools, Tennessee won the game - and the national title.

Not that Tee Martin won all of his games against his new AAFL competitors. The following year when Martin was a senior, he led his to team to a 9-2 record, which ended in the Fiesta Bowl versus Nebraska - and Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch.

"Tennessee was good that year, but so were we," Crouch said. "With our only loss coming against Texas. When we played Tennessee, we had three drives of over 90 yards each in the fourth quarter that helped us win."

They all remember. And they all want rematches. "But the thing that will make this league great is that the fans want rematches even worse than the players," said McGriff. "Players remember. Some with regret. Some fondly. But fans live and die over and over again every time they talk about these

great games their team did not win."

Off the field, NFL Hall of Famers DeLamielleure and John Hannah are among the league's high profile advisors. Along with Kenny Stabler - who is not in the Hall of Fame but everybody knows should be.

Tennessee fans will recognize lots of names in the league's front office: Former Tennessee coach and Athletic Director Doug Dickey is a member of the league's board of directors. And his offensive coordinator from their national championship team Jimmy Dunn is also on board.

The league has attracted lots of attention from the national press, including Time Magazine, CBS Sports, the Wall Street Journal and hundreds of others. The New York Times calls the AAFL professional football with "college spirit." ESPN said the new league could become the "most watchable" sports league in the country.

Wilhoit is one of dozens of former Volunteer football players seeking a spot on Team Tennessee. Wilhoit is remembered for last minute field goals that saved lots of games over his four-year career and made him the second leading scorer in Tennessee history. Wilhoit has already done several

autograph signings for the new team.

"Its amazing how many people are looking forward to seeing their favorite Volunteers back at Neyland," Wilhoit said. "People are really curious about it. But that is no surprise since Tennessee people love their football more than anywhere else. And when they hear Tee Martin is coming back, the first thing they ask about is where to get tickets."

They'll get their chance with a great home schedule.



4/12 Michigan

5/3 Florida

5/17 Arkansas

5/31 Alabama

6/14 Texas