Cancel culture hit the Vols early.
Right after the 2007 season.
Barry elected in ‘08. Coincidence? Blame Obama.
There is a weird correspondence between the fortunes of America, and our football team — “America’s Team”. The Volunteers.
In 2001, both appeared ready to assert dominance in their respective spheres.
The Vols had a chance to capture the leadership of the SEC, having learned to vanquish their most heated rivals — UF (Spurrier) and Bama. Auburn, UGA, LSU? We set the bar for them, under the dean of SEC coaches, NC-winner Phil Fulmer. A second crown in 3 years was ours for the taking.
On the national stage, our fury was set to be unleashed on the heathen barbarians who had inflicted an egregiously ruthless and unprovoked terrorist attack upon us. And their supporters.
Gradually, things went wrong over the next 7 years. We lost our way. We began to doubt our own destiny. The forces that sought to destroy us gained in power and position.
2008 was the nadir. For the nation. For the Vols.
And it has only gotten steadily worse since then.
I am at the point where I despair of seeing a return to greatness for either our program, or our nation, in my lifetime.
Oddly, I can accept the latter, as being part of God’s program.
The former is another matter. I had hoped to take some solace — just a little — over the inevitable collapse of our nation, by enjoying a much-delayed return to football relevance.
I am at the point, after this latest false front, in which I truly thought we’d turned the corner — “our OL! Our recruiting! The change in culture! We’re ready to take on ANYBODY” —
I’ve just don’t have any enthusiasm left for this program.
What a shame.
We SUCK.
Hurry up, basketball…
