The Celebration in Knoxville

The Celebration in Knoxville

01/30/99

By Gabe Correa - Smokey's Trail

Phillip Fulmer and his family and The 1998 National Champions, walking down Peyton Manning Pass [Photo by Gabe Correa]

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. Yes I was like everybody else, that thought it was going to rain, but I've watched the Vols all year long, and so I wasn't going to miss this special moment, with a estimated crowd of about 45,000 give or take a few, it was a great moment.

With a little prayer that the rain would hold off until after the celebration, we had a little mist near the end of the program, and then it started to rain. It was truly an uplifting experience to see the Vols walk down Peyton Manning Pass, and for some for the last time. Giving Phillip Fulmer the high five, and patting Al Wilson on the shoulder as well as other players, and hearing the Pride of the Southland Marching Band playing Rocky Top.

My wife was saving my seat on the 50-yard line while I was taking pictures of the SEC, and the National Championship banners, that were hanging up on the south end of the stadium. The University of Tennessee had a huge crank that was outside the south end of the stadium, that had a large screen that was hanging over the Vols letters inside the stadium.

Celebration 1998 Champions
Wide receiver Cedrick Wilson, left, and quarterback Tee Martin celebrate Tennessee's national championship during the Neyland Stadium victory party. (Nina Long / Staff)

They showed the Fiesta Bowl with John Ward announcing, on the big screen. Senior Jeff Hall gave the invocation and the Tennessee band played the national anthem. During the end of the anthem an American bald eagle named Challenger flew from the north upperstands down across the field to the south 10-yard line to it's owner. It was the same eagle that flew in the Florida game on Sept. 19th when we beat Florida in overtime 20-17 ["WHOA"].

It had the same effect on me as everybody else that was there, it was an awesome sight to see. It made you feel proud to be an American, and a Tennessee Volunteer. The band formed the T and the Vols ran through it, but the Vols that started in the Fiesta Bowl were introduced one at a time as they ran through the T. The coaching staff was introduced as well as they met their families in the middle.

The 1998 Sears National Champion Trophy
Al Wilson, Shawn Bryson and coach Phil Fulmer celebrate with fans as the Sears National Championship Trophy was presented
The season in-review video set to music was shown on the big screen, and it was an awesome sight with some special effects. Both national championship trophies were presented as well as the SEC championship trophy.

There were many remarks from those that gave the trophies from the Fiesta Bowl, and Sears. Also giving remarks were UT President Joe Johnson, Athletic Director Doug Dickey, coach Phillip Fulmer, and announcer John Ward. Senior linebacker, and co-captain Al Wilson was the last one to speak, and it got quiet, and after his speech he got the biggest cheers.

[Al Wilson speech]
"On behalf of my teammates, and the coaching staff, and everybody that had something to do with our football team, I want to thank the fans for all your support, and all the love and care you showed throughout my four years at the University of Tennessee." "We really do appreciate it and hope that in the future we can be known for a championship at Tennessee."

At the end of the celebration the University of Tennessee showed a video set to music the National Championship with fireworks and the band closing with Rocky Top.