How Tony Vitello learned the hard way that not all Tennessee Vols fans claim Kenny Chesney
Tennessee Vols baseball coach Tony Vitello revealed this week that he learned the hard way that not all UT fans claim country music singer Kenny Chesney. Chesney is from East Tennessee and he grew up cheering for the Vols. But despite being a country music superstar, he's not really considered a Tennessee superfan. That's because […]
Tennessee Vols baseball coach Tony Vitello revealed this week that he learned the hard way that not all UT fans claim country music singer Kenny Chesney.
Chesney is from East Tennessee and he grew up cheering for the Vols. But despite being a country music superstar, he's not really considered a Tennessee superfan.
That's because Chesney never hesitates to sport the apparel of other teams. There are countless photos on the internet of Chesney wearing helmets from various college football/NFL teams. Chesney essentially comes across as one of the ultimate "bandwagon" fans.
On Sunday, Tennessee's baseball team created a stir on social media when they found some Florida helmets and wore them for a photo. The UT baseball team was mocking the Gators, but it didn't take long for some folks to reference Chesney when they saw the photos.
Vitello appeared on WNML on Monday and was asked about the Chesney reference. The Vols baseball coach made it clear that folks in East Tennessee set him straight on the country music singer when he first took the UT job.
"Don't lump them (UT's baseball team) into that category (with Chesney)," said a laughing Vitello. "I learned when I first got here — I was trying to dive into the culture a little bit and I brought his (Chesney) name up to the wrong person and they set me straight on that deal."
Vol fans are extremely passionate and they can see through "fake fandom". Chesney blends with whatever crowd he's in front of at the time, which isn't something that Tennessee fans appreciate.
UT fans feel like if you're going to be a fan, then be a fan everywhere you go, not just where it's convenient. And that's why Chesney isn't as popular among Vols fans as you might think he'd be.
Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
