Packer: Hancock gives back

When Anthony Hancock was at the University of Tennessee, he heard the crowd cheer for him 106 times.

He carried those 106 catches 1,826 yards up and down the field for the Vols. Twelve times he carried one of those catches into the end zone for a touchdown.

"My favorite touchdown as a Vol was in 1980 at Neyland Stadium against Southern Cal," Hancock said. "They had Ronnie Lott and Jeff Fisher in the secondary.

"We had run a quick slant several times and the coaches kept running it because it was working. Late in the game they ran it again and I broke loose for a 52-yard touchdown. That's the loudest I ever heard Neyland Stadium.

The Vols lost the game, 20-17. But, it was a memory that Hancock will never forget.

"I just remember thinking, 'don't get caught,' " Hancock said.

Hancock was a star at UT in his playing days (1978-1981). He led the Vols in receptions in 1979, '80 and '81. But, it's a record Hancock set in the Garden State Bowl in 1981 that he has hung on to for 26 years.

"I caught 11 passes against Wisconsin. Every year I watch the Vols in their bowl game and hope no one breaks my record. It's the only number that I look at after the game is over," Hancock said with a laugh.

During his years with the Vols, and then his five years in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs, Hancock heard the cheers many times.

Today, there are no cheers for Hancock, but there are still many victories. Hancock is a special education teacher at Bearden Middle School.

"It's a need. You want every child to be successful daily, no matter what hand they've been dealt. We have to teach them at their level. Every child has different needs, so we have to teach them all differently."

Hancock has a phrase on the wall in his classroom that his kids say every day when class begins:

"Wisdom is the principle of all things. Therefore in getting wisdom, you get understanding."

When his NFL days came to an end in 1987, Hancock went back to school to get his certification in special education. Since then he's worked with the Boys Scouts of America, been a substitute teacher and worked for TDOT. His life has been filled with serving others.

Whether at church or in a classroom, Hancock's victories aren't met with the cheers of thousands of adoring fans like they were on the football field.

"I have seven scholars in my class. Our victories are won on a daily basis, one child at a time. It's just so important for the future of our communities for our children to learn everyday."

If you've been to youth league football games over the years, you've probably seen Hancock with a flag in his pocket and whistle in his mouth. He's spent years as a youth league referee.

"The last three years I've coached at Central under Joel Helton," said Hancock. "I coached freshmen and scout teams. But, I gave it up this year because of the time. As I get older, I'm just not willing to give up the time. I have two children and two grandchildren now. I need to spend time with them."

In this me-me society, it's hard to find a former college and NFL star giving back to his community like Hancock. But, it's how he's always been. And, in talking with him, it's what he'll always be.

"My wife told me that she wants to retire in five years, so I guess I'll go about 10 more years, then join her in retirement," said Hancock.

Mark Packer hosts the Locker Room presented by Parkwest Medical Center on Sunday at 10 p.m. on My-VLT-2.