Vols QB Hendon Hooker clears up a confusing misunderstanding from earlier this season
Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker cleared up a confusing misunderstanding from earlier this season during an appearance on 104.5 The Zone's "Ramon, Kayla, and Will" on Wednesday at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL. During Tennessee's win against Kentucky on October 29, ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe confused viewers when she noted that Hooker and […]
Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker cleared up a confusing misunderstanding from earlier this season during an appearance on 104.5 The Zone's "Ramon, Kayla, and Will" on Wednesday at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL.
During Tennessee's win against Kentucky on October 29, ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe confused viewers when she noted that Hooker and Vols wide receiver Jalin Hyatt grew up playing AAU basketball together.
The only problem is that Hooker is several years older than Hyatt. And the two players are from different cities. Hooker is from Greensboro, NC while Hyatt is from Irmo, SC (about three hours apart).
Here's a clip of Rowe's report during the game.
Viewers were understandably perplexed by that comment.
Hooker cleared up the confusion on Wednesday without referencing the mistake.
"He (Hyatt) was committed to Virginia Tech at one point," said Hooker, who played for the Hokies before landing in Knoxville. "I remember him coming on his official visit. He was sitting in my living room and we were sitting there just talking about basketball. We found out we played at the same AAU organization — he's just years younger than me. We knew the same people….that connection has just been there for a long time off the field."
It sounds like it was a simple misunderstanding between Rowe and Hooker/Hyatt. It happens. Rowe is one of the best in the business, but she talks to a lot of players/coaches and a mistake is bound to happen.
By the way, Hooker also told a great story about the first time he threw with Hyatt at Tennessee.
"My first weekend at Tennessee, J Hyatt asked me to go throw," added Hooker. "It was me, him, Walker Merrill, and Jaylen Wright. I was throwing to those guys and Hyatt was like 'I gotta see if you can overthrow me, if you can overthrow me then you can play quarterback here'. So I was bombing them over his head on purpose every time. I wasn't even trying to hit him in stride."
The whole interview was fantastic and I definitely recommend checking it out if you have a chance.
Featured image via Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
