Published: November 25, 2009 01:31 pm      

ROCKY TOP BEAT: UT fans have many reasons to be thankful this weekend

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving when we thank God for our many blessings. This holds true for the many Tennessee football fans too. Each year at this time I have tried to highlight the various things that UT fans should be thankful for.

Here are a few for this year.

•I am thankful for the way the Vols played this past weekend on Senior Night, becoming bowl eligible with a victory over Vanderbilt.

•I am thankful for the seniors that have played through adversity and injury during their time at UT but always gave their all on the playing field.

•I am thankful for the Vol Walk and the Pride of the Southland Band that makes the scene outside of Neyland Stadium one of the best in college football.

•I am thankful for the best fight song ever — "Rocky Top." Any true Vol fan swells with pride and gets tears in their eyes when they hear that played before, during and after the games.

•I am thankful for Coach Lane Kiffin and his staff for all the hard work they have invested in the University of Tennessee’s football program, the product they were able to put on the field despite injuries and a lack of depth and the hope they have provided for the future of the program.

•I am thankful for all the players that will return next season, who go to class, mind the rules and do the things that make all Vol fans proud they represent the University of Tennessee.

•I am thankful for the prior coaches and players that have returned to help support the new coaching staff.

•I am thankful for Roger Woods, who in his first year as the sport teams Chaplain has made a huge difference in many lives in the football program.

•I am thankful for the UT fans that, in spite of last season, returned to support the Big Orange this season and gave the 20 seniors a huge ovation as they ran through the “T” for the final time last Saturday night.

•Finally, I am thankful for those in the area that support other collegiate teams that Vol fans can have friendly banter with — for me — notably a good sport and fellow columnist Jim Butler. We have way too much fun during football season. (Be sure to come to the Christmas parade to see Jim having fun after losing his bet on the UT–Vandy game.)

I am sure that I have missed many things about UT football to be thankful for, but I am sure that each of you will finish the list with the things that you too are thankful. Try it, you might be surprised at how it makes you feel.

I would add one more thing to my list – I am thankful for you the readers that support and encourage this humble writer throughout the year.

I feel that I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to cover UT sports for you. Happy Thanksgiving and GO VOLS.

(Frank Gale is a Chronicle correspondent and his column appears weekly.)