The saying "like father, like son," is alive and well in the Reveiz family.

"I see myself in my two sons every day," former University of Tennessee kicker Fuad Reveiz said. "I didn't have the stats coming out of high school and neither do they. But that doesn't mean I couldn't play then and it doesn't mean they can't now."

Reveiz had dreamed of playing for Florida State as a high school kicker in Miami. He had committed to play for the Seminoles and was expecting to play in Tallahassee until the day before signing day.

"The coach that recruited me called to tell me that they were pulling the offer and going in another direction," Reveiz said. "I had been offered by Kentucky, Pittsburgh and a number of other schools. But I told them all no because I had committed to Florida State. I was absolutely devastated when they called and backed out on their word."

With no offers left at that time, Reveiz enrolled at a junior college in Bakersfield, Calif.

"In June, one of the coaches at Tennessee called me and asked if I might be interested in coming to UT," Reveiz said. "I told him that I would and came to visit. When I got on campus the kickers were on the field. So, I had a chance to watch them.

"After practice I met with Coach (Johnny) Majors and he asked me if I thought I could beat those guys out for the job. I told him that there was no doubt in my mind. Once I got the chance, I ended up starting all four years.

"That's where I think my boys are just like me. Coming out of high school I had only made about 14 kicks. One of them was a Florida high school record, a 60 yarder. It's still the state record today. But my point is that I didn't have the stats that some of the national recruits had.

"When (UT) Coach (Phillip) Fulmer and I sat down last year to talk about Nick, I told him that I had no doubt that he could play at this level. It reminded me of the conversation I had with Coach Majors many years ago."

Nick Reveiz is a walk-on at UT.

"I also think the same of Shane (a senior at Farragut High School). Shane may not have the big statistics, but he has a huge heart. Both of my boys have unbelievably big hearts. And just like I wanted to play for Florida State, my boys have dreamed of playing for Tennessee. That's why I'm so proud of them because they will give every ounce of energy they have for UT, when they get that chance."

Reveiz used his drive and determination to become successful in the NFL and today in the business world. After 11 seasons in the NFL, Reveiz is very busy putting residential developments together. He says he learned life skills from some of the best along the way.

"Don Shula taught me that there are no excuses for failure," Reveiz said. "Dennis Green taught me that if we work together as a team, we can accomplish anything. But, if we try to do it alone then we are sure to fail.

Reveiz's sons got their father's size, but they also got his heart. And if they turn out anything like their father, they'll be successful in whatever they choose to do in life.

Mark Packer hosts the Locker Room at 10 p.m. on Sunday on My East Tennessee TV. His guest tonight is Fuad Reveiz.