The University of Tennessee retired Doug Atkins' No. 91 in a pre-game ceremony Saturday just before UT hosted Vanderbilt in Neyland Stadium. Atkins is the third former Vol to have his number retired this season, following former defensive lineman Reggie White and NFL quarterback Peyton Manning.

"I'm very honored the university is retiring my number," Atkins said. "I always enjoyed my playing days at the University of Tennessee."

UT has no plans to retire any other jersey numbers. Atkins, Manning (16) and White (92) were the first to have their numbers retired since Bill Nowling (32), Rudy Klarer (49), Willis Tucker (61) and Clyde "Ig" Fuson (62). The four had their jerseys retired in 1946 after they were killed in World War II.

Atkins was joined at midfield during the ceremony by UT president John Petersen, athletic director Mike Hamilton, head coach Phillip Fulmer, UT's 2005 captains, former UT tailback Pat Shires, former UT fullback Andy Kozar, and Gus Manning, who has worked with UT's athletic department for 54 years.

"Doug Atkins was a tremendous athlete, one of the best defensive linemen I've ever seen," said Manning, who was UT's sports information director during Atkins' career. "He was very versatile. He was big, strong and powerful.

"He was so strong it was unbelievable. Offensive linemen just couldn't block him. He'd just throw them out of the way."

Atkins, 75, retired from the NFL in 1969 with 205 NFL games played, a record at the time for a defensive lineman. Atkins has been inducted in the NFL and College halls of fame. He lives in Knoxville.