Photo by Adam Brimer
From left, Bob Kesling, head coach Phillip Fulmer, Peerless Price, and Al Wilson share a laugh on stage at the Tennessee Theatre on Friday night during the University of Tennessee Football 1998 National Championship Reunion.
Video
Team members from the 1998 National Championship Team share memories at the 10 anniversary celebration at the Tennessee Theatre Watch »
Video
Team members from the 1998 National Championship Team share memories at the 10 anniversary celebration at the Tennessee Theatre. Watch »
Video
Team members from the 1998 National Championship Team share memories at the 10 anniversary celebration at the Tennessee Theatre. Watch »
Video
Team members from the 1998 National Championship Team share memories at the 10 anniversary celebration at the Tennessee Theatre. Watch »
For a few hours at least Friday night, Tennessee football escaped its contemporary angst and harkened back to a better time.
To the best of times, in fact.
Good memories flowed at the Tennessee Theatre as players and coaches from the 1998 national championship team celebrated a 10th anniversary with their fans.
"It was a group of guys that came together, collectively, and we had our eye set on the prize,'' said guard Cosey Coleman.
"It's one of those rare moments that don't happen too often.''
The '98 team that finished 13-0 will also be feted tonight at Neyland Stadium when UT plays Alabama.
From the grins and hugs Friday night, it appeared most of the '98 SEC and national champions are doing well and looking good.
"The thing that sticks out,'' said cornerback Steve Johnson, who owns an Atlanta restaurant, "is just all the guys, the relationships that you build over those four or five years.
"A lot of those guys live in Atlanta and I see 'em on a regular basis. It's nice to know you have family even though you're not playing any more.''
The gala event drew a big turnout of former players, as well as coach Phillip Fulmer and the three assistants still on his staff a decade later. Former athletic director Doug Dickey was also present.
Several of the '98 Vols couldn't attend because they're still playing professionally. An open date allowed Green Bay Packers standout Chad Clifton to make it.
One key member of the team who would have loved to attend but couldn't was represented by his mother.
Cornerback Dwayne Goodrich, whose interception return for a touchdown helped UT beat Florida State 23-16 in the Fiesta Bowl, is in a Texas prison serving two counts of criminally negligent homicide. Goodrich went behind bars in 2003, the result of a hit-and-run accident that killed two pedestrians.
"Dwayne is doing well,'' said Pamela Goodrich. "He's in good spirits and very much looking forward to his future. He wishes he were here with everybody.
"He's making the best of the situation and doing some motivational speaking, trying to talk to some young people about his life and where he's been.''
That victory over Florida State clinched the championship. Several Vols said Friday they never entertained any possibility of losing.
"I hate to say this,'' said tackle Jarvis Reado, "but I knew we were going to win. Because in my mind the national championship was played in three games already.
"The first game at Syracuse, the Florida game in overtime and Arkansas. A team that goes through that and comes out with three 'Ws', that last game should be a little easier.''
Coleman, two years retired from professional football, said he used to tell his NFL teammates what they missed:
"I reminded the guys that, hey, you've probably played a lot of ball and took a lot of snaps, but to have a perfect season, not too many people in their careers get to participate in something like that.''
"It was just a great feeling,'' added Johnson, "knowing you're the best team in the country and you went undefeated.
"They can't take that away from you. After 10 years, we're still a perfect team.''
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Comments » 67
MANVOL writes:
who is living in the past? you have to appreciate your history and heritage. They have been bringing back former VOLS for as long as have been going to UT games. I have seen the 51, 67,69, 85, and 89 vol teams honored and numerous All Americans. UT has a history of winning and All American players, and that is what keeps recruits coming in. GO VOLS thank you all the former VOLS for wearing the "T" with pride.
blitzshoot writes:
Awesome night. Good food and conversation. Go Vols!
Beat BAMA!
OdessaVol writes:
jcvet,
you're kidding right.
xvolx writes:
another attempt by Fulmer to keep his job. You backed in to a national champ. and you know it.
blitzshoot writes:
And by the way...hire Al Wilson!
blitzshoot writes:
Its a reunion...just like any school,team, etc..would have.
Ask Al Wilson if he's living in the past.
blitzshoot writes:
Got tell these men they
"backed into it" and then
post. You dont know sh#@
LargeOrange writes:
Jcvet and xvolx you guys are messed up. Get some pills or something, you can't even accept success that happened, what are you expecting to happen now? You will never be happy.
BillsBrother writes:
Do not let your contempt for CPF take anything away from the accomplishments of the 1998 Volunteers.
13 games, 13 victories
MANVOL writes:
Your an idiot, did we have lucky breaks? Yes all national champions do. When you win all 13 you didn't back into anything. Last year now we definatly backed into because we did what we always do lately and that is lose in September and Win in Novenber.
volsare1 writes:
bunch of idiots comment on here anymore.. how can u take away a 10 yr reunion of a national championship and say stop livin the past..i guess they should cancel all high school reunions too..so JCVET when u went and seen your friends at your 10 yr reunion i bet you didnt go cause you didnt have friends then like you dont know..if u dont like tn past present and future quit readin articles on this site
abnermc writes:
I'm glad he's an X vol.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
OH, does it hurt you little loser feelings???? Grow up or get lost!!!
posivol writes:
you got that right brother.
txvolsfan writes:
His team would never get out hussled, How would you like to tell Al you took a play off!!!
ClayMolder (Inactive) writes:
how much did a ticket cost?
Mr_Bandman writes:
OH, shut up!!!!!!!! I'm as disgusted with the state of the present VOLS as you or anyone else, but we will NEVER stop celebrating the 98 season---it was a great ride, and revisiting it every so often isn't hurting a thing. Just shut up.
Mr_Bandman writes:
What an idiotic comment. There were some close calls that year (Syracuse, FL, & Arkansas) and a little luck along the way (bad call against Syracuse, Ark. fumble, Ohio St. losing one they shouldn't have) but that is the case with almost every national champion in college football. In 97 Nebraska nearly lost to Wisconsin but won on a fluke TD when what should have been a game ending incomplete pass was accidentally kicked into the air by a falling receiver and into the hands of a diving receiver. Did they back into their championship? Two years ago, Florida scraped by Tennessee 21-20 after what should have been the winning interception return for TD for UT was called back by a "ticky-tack" penalty for tapping Chris Leak on the head. Did they back into their championship? Last year LSU lost twice in the regular season--once to an unranked team---did they back into their championship? Every team that gets into position to win a national title has to rely a little on luck---timely turnover by the other team and unexpected losses by other title contenders. It's the way it works. The 98 team played absolutely manhandled #7 Georgia, 'Bama, South Car., KY, & Vandy, plus FL was #2 when we beat them and Ark. was #10 when they played----there was no backing in. AND, Florida State was to that era what USC is to this era---the prohibitive favorite to win the National Title EVERY YEAR! Never mind that they were playing a third-string QB---they were still favored in that game because they were loaded. The state of UT football right now is disgusting, but do not take anything away from the 98 team OR THEIR COACH.
writer#358485 writes:
Good answers for the idiots, but they're still idiots! Go Vols, beat Bama.
rab writes:
Good article, the past is what makes the present so demanding. I loved that team, geez those were good years for TN football. I bought my first season tickets in 1982 we weren't a very good program in those days, but I attended every game. For the current fan base 1998 certainly set a new standard for TN football.
txsvol#372416 writes:
Hire Al Wilson! Somebody will, if he wants to coach! SAVol
yeavols#228407 writes:
This pretty much sealed the deal for Fulmer..see you all and Fulmer on the sidelines next year! Have a great Thanksgiving and Christmas. BYE!
xvolx writes:
well then, stop acting that way.
xvolx writes:
I dont have to tell them. they know it. ark. handed it to them and so did fla. st.. having to start a frosh. no ex. qb.
EyeNoEvrthng writes:
It's easy to be a championship team when Manning's gone ! ( the arrogant one-man-team)
xvolx writes:
I'm not attempting to take anything away from them. noone can do that. they were just more lucky than talented.
TnVolForever writes:
So true, unfortunately there's no cure for STUPID! Go VOLS
gobigorange8464 writes:
BEAT BAMA!!!
gavol2572 writes:
Well said my friend.
xvolx writes:
then there is no hope for you.
tnbigg writes:
Personally...I think it's great that we celebrated the tenth anniversary. Those guys and Coach Fulmer deserve that. That year was amazing and can never be diminished. Congratulations to all who were involved with that Championship! No Volunteer should ever forget that experience!
EyeNoEvrthng writes:
Will Bartholomew should not have been invited to these events ( wasn't he just on the "practice squad" ?)
tnbanker_govols writes:
So far, the only highlight of the season!!
Jmxvo1 writes:
Don't call the Syracuse game luck.
I get so tired of hearing that.
It was pass interference. Period. Cedrick Wilson was shoved to the ground before the ball got there.
Good Grief.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Good article. Well done, Vols of 98.
shipperman#280095 writes:
I agree with you 99% of the time, but you know they were very lucky that year. remember Syracuse. Not taking from the talent level. We had an awesome group that year for sure. Alas 10 years later look what we have. SIGH
tripsavol3#650322 writes:
I'm currently working on a cure for stupid. It's not looking too good though. GO VOLS BUCK FAMA!!!
shipperman#280095 writes:
Would you care to put your money where your mouth is? Fulmer is outta here my friend. Remember I told you that this day.
EyeNoEvrthng writes:
Coach Fulmer has already told the players he will be leaving after this season .
shipperman#280095 writes:
I think not, Mr EYENONOTHING. Why don't you get help?
VolinBama writes:
I REMEMBER BEING A FRESHMAN AT UT IN 83' AND MY ROOMATE AND I WERE WONDERING IF UT WOULD EVER WIN A NAT. CHAMP IN OUR LIFE TIME. I MUST ADMIT WE WERE NOT OVERLY OPTOMISTIC AT THE TIME. THE 1998 TEAM WAS MY "DREAM TEAM", THANK YOU MEN FOR LETTING ME EXPERIENCE THE TRUE BLISS, AT LEAST ONCE IN MY LIFE. (I AM OPEN ANY TIME TO ANY ADDITIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS BEFORE GOD CALLS ME HOME !)
JayTee writes:
It's great for the '98 team to have a reunion and celebrate a once in a lifetime event. We can all celebrate the Championship and appreciate the team for what they did but we need to live in the present.
You cannot rest on your laurels. Trying to live in the past is being like the BAMA fans living off their dead Bear for thirty years.
shipperman#280095 writes:
I hear you on that. I was jumping up and down and my wife thought I was going to have a heart attack. I still have the newspaper from the day after.
And I will never forget the class act Mr Bobby Bowden is either. He came to a church here in Maryville a couple of weeks after the bowl game and spoke.
volsoutwest writes:
Truly a great team and a great accomplishment (lucky,fortunate, as well). Great times are coming again very soon; perhaps by 10:45 p.m. tonight(Central time) when we finishing flushing the toilet paper down the bowl. Go Vols!!!!!Beat ////////bammer.
vol4gzus writes:
Xvolx and retinanoevrythang are from the school of I can't get no satisfaction so I must try to make everybody else miserable with me. They get off making us angry/frustrated as their way of feeling power/importance. They write stuff not believing alot of it but again get off messin' with us. So goodday men who are sadly never content in life and can only present a sour outlook on life.
If you want to know true joy come to Jesus and humbly ask for forgiveness of your sins believing Jesus shed his blood on the cross for you. Your life will radically change if you were sincere from the heart. Sorry gents not taking up an offering.
Oh btw to be on topic, I think the reunion was a great idea and fondly remember going nuts when John Ward said "the national champion is wearing Orange!" BEAT BAMA!!!
EyeNoEvrthng writes:
Great post ! And the reason the National Champs wore Orange in 1998 is that Orange #16 was GONE !
vol4gzus writes:
"and the beat goes on...." Rumpa pom pom me and my drum...
some go to the beat of a differnt drum to their own demise.
vol4gzus writes:
I replied gently on page two at 10:43 am sir omniscience.
shipperman#280095 writes:
Great times may be coming and I suspect they will, but it will not be tonight or this season or with the current coach
givehim6 writes:
Linebacker coach 1st, then head D coach. Thats what I want for Christmas.
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