Nico Iamaleava explains unique tradition you'll be seeing at Tennessee Vols games this fall
On Saturday, after the Tennessee Vols' annual Orange and White spring football game had ended, players, former teammates, and family members gathered on the field at Neyland Stadium to exchange hugs, handshakes, and smiles after a perfect spring afternoon spent in front of 58,000 energetic UT fans. True freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava stopped for multiple […]
On Saturday, after the Tennessee Vols' annual Orange and White spring football game had ended, players, former teammates, and family members gathered on the field at Neyland Stadium to exchange hugs, handshakes, and smiles after a perfect spring afternoon spent in front of 58,000 energetic UT fans.
True freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava stopped for multiple photo opportunities after greeting every person that approached him with a genuine smile and a hug.
Nico and most of his teammates spent nearly 10 minutes on the field after the conclusion of the spring game.
As Iamaleava left the field for Tennessee's locker room, he was handed a lei to put around his neck (which you can see in the video below).
Iamaleava and Joe Milton, Tennessee's expected starting quarterback this fall, later entered the post-game press conference both wearing a lei.
Nico was asked about the leis by a reporter and he explained that he receives one from his family after every game.
“It’s pretty much a traditional thing my family does," said Iamaleava. "After every game, they’ll have a lei for me. They seen Joe so they brought one for him too.”
Iamaleava's nod to his Polynesian heritage could create a unique new tradition among Tennessee fans. I wouldn't be surprised if Vols fans start breaking out leis for games this fall and in the coming seasons.
There's no doubt that the UT fan base loves them some Nico. And how could you blame them? So far, he's proven to be an ultra-talented player worthy of the hype. And he's also displayed incredible humility while standing out as one of the Vols' most popular players even though he hasn't taken a snap in a regular season game yet.
Iamaleava is the real deal. And fans are more than ready to support the California native as his career at Tennessee gets underway.
