Josh Heupel pays tribute to former Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker after win against South Carolina
Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker was back in Neyland Stadium on Saturday for UT's 41-20 win against the South Carolina Gamecocks. Hooker, who was selected by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, was able to attend the game because the Lions played on Thursday night this past week. The […]
Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker was back in Neyland Stadium on Saturday for UT's 41-20 win against the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Hooker, who was selected by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, was able to attend the game because the Lions played on Thursday night this past week.
The former Tennessee standout returned to Knoxville for what was bill as a "revenge game" for the Vols.
Hooker tore his ACL on a non-contact injury in the Vols' loss to South Carolina last season, essentially ending his Tennessee career.
After the Vols' win on Saturday night, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel was asked about having Hooker back at Neyland.
“One of the best to play here," said Heupel. "A guy that cares about his teammates still. (From) Joe to everyone that is in that locker room. I think it speaks to his love of this university and this program that on a short week, he has a couple days off, that this is where he chose to come. It was awesome to have him back and be part of this win tonight."
There's no doubt that life has been hectic for Hooker over the last 10 months as he begins life as an NFL quarterback (plus all of the rehab he's gone through since last November). The fact that he chose to spend his Saturday in Knoxville instead of Greensboro (his hometown) or Detroit (his new home) truly speaks to the love that he has for Tennessee.
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