Why Vols fans shouldn’t be offended by Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia’s spicy behind-the-scenes comments about Tennessee
Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia already got under the skin of Tennessee Vols fans this summer by saying that Vandy is going to run the state in 2025. Tennessee fans are even more irritated with Pavia thanks to something the Vanderbilt quarterback said before last season’s game against the Vols (a game that Tennessee ended […]
Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia already got under the skin of Tennessee Vols fans this summer by saying that Vandy is going to run the state in 2025.
Tennessee fans are even more irritated with Pavia thanks to something the Vanderbilt quarterback said before last season’s game against the Vols (a game that Tennessee ended up winning).
Netflix’s new SEC documentary “Any Given Saturday” shows Pavia dropping some spicy comments about the Vols last fall.
“We can beat Tennessee literally any given Saturday,” said Pavia. “They think they’re going to destroy us…f–k every single one of them dudes. We’re gonna win this game at all cost.”
Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea got in on the fun, too.
“I want to f—ing beat Tennessee, and I need everyone to be on the same page,” said Lea to his players during a team meeting before facing the Vols. “We’re not leaving that stadium Saturday without a win.”
Vols fans, as you can imagine, are ready to go to war with Pavia over his comments.
I’ll be honest — I don’t get the outrage.
I mean, sure, Tennessee should definitely hang Pavia’s comments in the locker room before facing Vanderbilt later this season. It’s perfect bulletin board material.
But I don’t know what Vols fans are upset about. What other mindset is Pavia supposed to have? Isn’t that exactly the attitude any competitor should have before a game?
I get that Pavia is the enemy if you’re a Tennessee fan. But the guy is approaching the game the same way former Vols wide receiver Jauan Jennings does — with a level of competitiveness that’s hard to match.
Jennings is beloved for it. Pavia, at the least, should be respected for it.
Look, it’s no secret that I’m a Vols guy. But I absolutely respect the way Pavia plays the game.
Tennessee Volunteers News
An iconic Tennessee Vols tradition that’s not often seen was included in Netflix’s new SEC documentary
An iconic Tennessee Vols tradition that’s not often seen was included in Netflix’s new SEC documentary “Any Given Saturday” that was released this week. For decades, after big wins, Tennessee’s players gather in the locker room and sing “We don’t give a damn about the whole state/school of ___”. It’s a tradition that isn’t always […]
