Doug Atkins heard the phone ring. Little did he know that it was the University of Tennessee on the other line, ready to inform him he had just received the ultimate athletic honor that the institution could bestow.

"I was more or less surprised," said the former defensive lineman of being informed that UT planned to retire his No. 91 jersey. "I thought they were talking about something else when they called to talk to me. I didn't realize this was happening. I had no idea that something like this was going to happen."

Atkins jersey number was retired along with former Vols Peyton Manning (No. 16) and Reggie White (No. 92)

Atkins, 75, has been inducted into the NFL and College Football Hall of Fame. Still, 36 years after his retirement, he said he is proud of UT's latest honor.

"It ranks right up there with the rest of them," Atkins said. "It's the school where you played, where you first started out and where you learned how to play under (General Robert) Neyland."

Atkins has been outspoken on several football issues recently, including current football players and their off-field behavior.

Atkins previously said he is a fan of Manning because of the Indianapolis Colts quarterback's play and class. Atkins said he was pleased to have his jersey number retired at the same time as Manning.

"He's a real nice kid and they're really short of them in the National Football League," Atkins said. "They don't have many like Manning out there, good, honest straightforward people."

The decision to retire the three jersey numbers has been met with much controversy since the decision was announced Tuesday. Some have said that the criteria, which includes professional performance, is too strict.

"I don't think it's left up to me to make a decision," Atkins said. "It's left up to the University of Tennessee in what they want to do.

"Some people believe pro football shouldn't have anything to do with it. But that's a profession. Football is a game and you just continue to go as far as you can. It's like a business job. You start on the bottom and work up and do well in both ends of it, college and the pro end of it. So it (pro career) has a lot to do with it. You represent the University of Tennessee when you're playing professional football.

Atkins said White, also a College Hall of Fame defensive lineman, deserves to have his UT jersey number retired. White died unexpectedly of an upper respiratory condition in December. He was 43.

"He's got the numbers and he's going to be in the Pro Hall of Fame and he's in the College Hall of Fame," Atkins said. "I don't know what else it would take to be there. He was a fine football player."

Atkins played 17 years in the NFL after completing his eligibility at UT in 1953.