In 1929, the Wall Street crash signaled the beginning of a decade of hardships known as The Great Depression. All countries were affected, but industrialized nations like the United States were hit hardest.

It appeared to most Americans, as jobs dried up and families were forced to live on little more than bread and water, that all hope was lost. The people, like all people in times of trouble, were desperate for heroes. For something - or someone - to say, "you can overcome." For hope.

"We live in hope of deliverance from the darkness that surrounds us." - Paul McCartney

In 1934, a boxer who'd lost 20 of his previous 33 fights, was scheduled to fight rising heavyweight contender John "Corn" Griffin. The longshoreman, who at one point had had to turn to relief agencies to keep his family fed, was given little chance of upsetting the heavily favored Griffin.

James J. Braddock was going to be nothing more than a tune-up.

But predictions, as they often are, were wrong. Braddock shocked the boxing community with his upset win. That was followed by another upset, this time of future champion John Henry Lewis.

Then the journeyman dispensed of contender Art Lansky. Crowds began to follow the exploits of this "Cinderella Man." If he could climb up from the mat, so could they.

Heavyweight champion Max Baer gave Braddock a shot at the title. Even though the dockworker had the crowd on his side, Baer was a heavy, heavy favorite.

But in Hollywood fashion (that would 70 years later inspire Hollywood magic), Braddock shocked Baer and climbed to the absolute pinnacle of world boxing.

Braddock was an inspiration to millions. And he carried their hopes with him to the top.

"Little darling, it's been a long, cold, lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here. Here's comes the sun." - The Beatles

A year later, as America continued its long, slow recovery from the depths of depression, a nothing-to-look-at horse (which had been used as a workhorse due to it's recent disappointing track performances) was sold for the sum of $8,000 to an automobile magnate.

But in 1937, wins in the Bay Bride Handicap, the World's Fair Handicap and at Santa Anita Park turned Seabiscuit into a crowd-favorite. Newspapers and newsreels carried his successes all across America to people thirsting for a sign of hope, a sign of the little guy (or horse) overcoming long odds.

By 1938, a horse that almost no one had wanted, was nailing down win after win on the way to being named "Horse of the Year."

Only one thing stood in Seabiscuit's way the greatest racehorse of the age, War Admiral.

In one of the most highly anticipated sporting events in American history, Seabiscuit met War Admiral on Nov. 1, 1938 at Pimlico. Forty-thousand people filled the stands. Forty-million listened on the radio.

It was a chance for the ugly 5 year-old bumpy-kneed beast to prove himself against a horse that stood as an unheard of 1-to-4 favorite (you had to bet 4 bucks just to win one on War Admiral).

But you know what happened. Seabiscuit did it. He won the race going away. Some folks claim that his was the most famous name in the world at that point. He had become an American sports legend, proof that "if that horse can do it, I can do it."

Seabiscuit was an inspiration to millions. And he carried their hopes with him to the top.

"The long and winding road that leads to your door." - The Beatles

Nothing can set off a Great Depression in the state of Tennessee like a 5-6 football season. Restaurants and stores do less business when the Vols lose. Knoxville, the capital of the Vol Nation, becomes a town in mourning.

But this past year, another underdog brought inspiration to fans desperate for a hero. The underdog was Tennessee basketball. The hero? Bruce Pearl.

Projected by coaches and media to finish fifth in the SEC East, the Vols were Braddock on the docks and Seabiscuit working the fields. But Pearl changed all of that.

His team played with more heart, toughness and effort than just about any UT squad ever had. They got national attention, won 20 games, and won the SEC East. They even became a team that Kentucky coach Tubby Smith set up as a measuring stick for the Wildcats. Just think about that for a second.

UT fans were desperate for something to believe in. Pearl gave it to them. Like most fans, their expectations probably rose a bit too high. But the end of this basketball season should NOT be what this season is remembered for it should be remembered as the year that Big Orange fortunes changed.

Braddock lost to Joe Louis not long after winning the heavyweight title from Baer. And Seabiscuit's career was hampered by injuries following the win over War Admiral. But their legends weren't damaged. Their legacies lived on.

This Tennessee team and its coach still can put a great finish on this season. And if they don't, it's still just season No. 1. And there's now reason to believe in the future.

Pearl has been an inspiration to Vol fans. And I believe he will carry their hopes with him to the top.

John Pennington hosts The Hall's Salvage Sports Source on Sunday at 11 a.m. on WATE. He also writes a blog at govolsxtra.com.