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HOOVER, Ala. - Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin said again at SEC Football Media Days on Friday that he doesn’t expect star safety Eric Berry to return for his senior season in 2010.
But Berry, who projects as a top pick in next year’s draft if he leaves, laid out a scenario in which he could come back.
“If my parents find a job,” Berry said.
Both Berry’s parents are victims of the ongoing economic crisis.
Berry said his mother was laid off from a job with a construction company about a year ago.
He also said his father, James, a former Tennessee player, lost his job in February.
If his parents’ situation improves, Berry said, he might consider returning to UT.
“Probably so,” he said, when asked if he would consider coming back if both his parents found jobs.
As is often the case with elite players, Berry has taken out an insurance policy worth $3 million, according to ESPN.com.
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Comments » 90
heyitsme writes:
Thanks 'W' - thanks Obama.
Hounddog writes:
Uh, heyitsme...Obama was not President a year ago. Just saying. Let's play football. Hounddog
gbeejr#1354500 writes:
After reading about his parents I would like to think EB would consider returning, but unless he had a bad year it just ain't gonna happen - he'll probably be a top ten pick and perhaps the first db picked in next year's draft.
heyitsme writes:
His father lost his job in February during Obama's watch. His mother lost her job last year under "W's" watch.
Joevolsxtra writes:
The man's gotta do what the man's gotta do. Family first. Always take care of momma.
chad_t31 writes:
Quick...someone sell some textbooks or something!
Seriously though, I hate to see his parents, or anyone for that matter, suffer during these hard economic times. All I can say is that I'm glad we had him for 3 years.
THEKIDWI writes:
He's got the ins policy. Selfishly for all of us UT fans hopefully his parents can make it another year and Eric can pull a Manning and come back for the fun of it even though he'd be a top pick.
You'd think the money would always be there (NFL) provided his family can wait.
That's a tough decision to make. Fortunately it seems Eric has a good head on his shoulders (the same shoulders that'll be knocking out SEC backs and receivers!!!).
volzcrushm writes:
Hey BOOSTERS!!!! ARE YOU LISTENING!!??
kkempf#226833 writes:
I don't think you can pin the layoffs on either President, since the policies that led to the recession were from not only conservative and liberal politicians domestically, but also private sector bankers and international economics experts.
And honestly, I don't care who caused the problem in this context, as long as the employment rate rebounds enough for Mr. and Mrs. Berry to find gainful employment. I'll always be proud of their son for his play and for the character he shows off the field, but a 4th year would be beyond any expectation.
heyitsme writes:
Trying to be funny, I started something that should not have been started on this board - politics. My apologies to everyone. Go Big Orange!
FWBVol writes:
Maybe some other former Vol athlete that owns a successful company could find a job for a fellow letterman, James Berry, without breaking any of the NCAA rules.
volmot writes:
sigh!!! So Obama had been president what, about 3 weeks so its his fault EB dad lost his job. If only O could just snap his fingers and "make it so". (with apologies to Capt. Picard):)
Volunatic writes:
GO VOLS!!!!
vol88 writes:
Excellent point.
PMC2726 writes:
I'm curious whether Berry's comments constitute some kind of secondary infraction. He basically invited Vol Nation to hook his family up with a job. How is that any different than someone hooking up Reggie Bush's family with a house and car knowing Reggie could pay back "the loan" once he got to the NFL?
FLVol writes:
I'm sure if a few alums who own companies in their area would just reach out..I'm sure the Berry's can find a job. If not, somebody needs to get them work here in East Tennesee. The Berry boys could go play for one of the Knoxville area teams and win some championships then come to UT and do the same.
Hounddog writes:
I agree, let's play football. Hounddog
tums writes:
Things didnt turn south until Dems took control of House and Senate. Obama is making things 10x worse. His policies aren't allowing anyone to get a job back that they lost.
BasketVols writes:
Yeah, people losing their jobs is hilarious! Especially when it impacts whether their son can continue to go to school or not.
Hopefully he can finish his degree in three years and be ready for the 2010 draft. The Berry's have already given UT more than enough. It's their turn to receive. No need for him to risk injury...
And remember, in about five years there may be one or two more Berrys flying around the field, knocking the snot out of Florida and Alabama.
oldorange writes:
You should also thank every president going back to JFK....with aspecial thank you to the American people who seem to no regard for pay as you go.
GreerVol22 writes:
Eric, give Scroggins a call and borrow some $ for your family. He has probably already received his first check ......ala Reggie Bush...
AF_VOL writes:
If his parents need financial help he might have to transfer to Southern Cal!!!
suggest_removal_4_all_troll_posts writes:
He's crazy if he doesn't go Pro. QB's can often benefit from another year.
One can always (and should) go back to school to obtain a degree.
jmillran writes:
Yeah I think you completely misunderstood the entire article. First, he's not paying for school because he's on scholarship. Second, the choice of going on to the NFL would be so that he could help his parents out with the shitton of bank he'll be getting.
halloffamebowler writes:
AMEN BROTHER.
KiFFiNOMiCS writes:
Obama and "W" both blow.....next topic.
PumpUptheVOLume writes:
OK....this is simple..Is there any TN alumni out there that can help the Berry's in GA? Eric just submitted the resume' for them....GA alumni are sure not to hire them because they want Berry gone from UT after: 1st not playing for GA and 2nd for making "The Hit" on Knowshawn one of the greatest hits ever on a college football field.
GO VOLS!!!! Ummmm should there be a new website for the Berry's www.hireBerry'sparents.com
Hire them for 1 to 2 years then it's a wrap.
GO VOLS!!!!!
NeylandWest writes:
People never cease to amaze me. The President has so, so, so little to do with the economy, especially in his first and second years. Often, it isn't until their fiscal policies are accepted, implemented and executed that they can be fairly judged.
The President has EXECUTION powers. If you want to blame anyone on the economy, call your senators/congressmen. They have a much more profound effect upon current affairs.
By the way, for those of you that are going to disagree with me (about blaming the current Prez), just consider NAFTA. Clinton shoved that one through years ago and we still feel those effects and they weren't felt immediately.
Now...back to football.
LiveFaith writes:
This problem should take UT boosters down south of ATL about :30 minutes to get fixed. :-/
RockyMountainVol writes:
That was my concern, too. Athletes aren't supposed to get any special treatment that any other student gets from a college. Forget about Berry's senior year; could some booster acting out of genuine concern for Berry's parents jeopardize his JUNIOR year eligibility?
Somebody "in the know" ought to address this issue ASAP and put out a statement.
BasketVols writes:
Eric Berry's on scholarship????? Really???? I thought he was paying UT to play football!!!
No, you just misunderstood my post. I was saying that between Eric's effort and his father's time on the football team, the Berrys have given UT enough, and the family deserves a chance for a big old payday as soon as possible, especially given the employment situations his parents are dealing with. That's all.
montanavolfan writes:
Football?????????? Please.........
jmillran writes:
My bad...I gotcha now.
NeylandWest writes:
Good summary, but don't forget the one crucial failure that had to exist in order for the house of cards to come crashing down -
Mortgage companies like Countrywide were not regulated by the OCC b/c they didn't meet the government's definition of a financial institution.
They were allowed to run wild, without control. Most progressive economists assumed that the capitalistic economy would self-govern and correct.
Well, judging by my 401(k) and the expected double digit unemployment rates next month, they were wrong.
BasketVols writes:
No problem. Sorry about the sarcasm, I could have posted that comment w/o that nonsense.
Go Vols!
jmillran writes:
Would it actually be an infraction if the Berry's were performing a service to a UT booster and getting paid for it? I tried to look it up on the NCAA website but I couldn't find it. Granted it'd be suspicious, as long as they were working, I don't see anything wrong with it.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
If he's a lock for top 10 pick he needs to go. Unfortunately there's been too many injuries and bad seasons haunting other UT players who decided to stay...Allen, Washington, Foster. There's just too much downside in this violent game in staying on another year when your expected to get drafted high.
HollySpringsVOL writes:
Now, now Mr. Limbaugh. Don't you have something else better to do with your time than to hang out on a Tennessee sports site?
ArealVolFan writes:
Another day, another Florida player arrested.
Linebacker Dustin Doe has been suspended from the team after being arrested yet again for driving on a suspended license. He's been stopped multiple times for driving with a suspended license, according to police records.
Florida coach Urban Meyer said Doe wouldn't be with the Gators when they start preseason practice. He started 12 games last season.
Doe is at least the 25th player arrested since Meyer became the Gators' coach.
SEC media days, Florida Gators, Urban Meyer, Dustin Doe- Chris Lowe
25 arrests under Meyer
0 arrests under Kiffin
BuckFama writes:
Trace half of this thread back far enough and I'm sure there would be folks debating the relative merit of "The New Deal" and whether or not Stalin should have had more trust in Winston Churchill.
All I know is that there is just over 42 days, 19 hours, and 12 minutes 'til "IFTIT"!!
BuckFama writes:
What did I tell you?
NeylandWest writes:
MagicMan, does it hurt whenever the boys don't return your calls?
PMC2726 writes:
Why doesn't Tennessee do like Calipari does -- just create a position for Berry's dad on the coaching staff?? Folks might cry foul, but I don't think there's any rule against it. With an NFL background, it's not like Hamilton couldn't justify the hire. Not sure what kind of man Eric's dad is, but having a name like that sure wouldn't hurt on the recruiting trail.
BuckFama writes:
We'll stick to embarrassing ourselves by writing of economics. But please keep writing, MM - it's not often we get to see a freakin' genius such as yourself make so many syntax and spelling errors in one post, and in less than 500 words.
Listen, Tennessee fans, to the esteemed MagicMan. For we can be sure that he is, indeed, an authority on becoming "that idiot stereotype".
Go Vols.
volatil writes:
yeah wont be with team for pre season BUT gauranteed to be there week 3 !
UTfan4life2 writes:
EB do whats best for you and your family. You are a for sure top 5 pick and a while back on NFLdraftdog.net, they had you as the #1 pick.
He is the only player ive ever seen to get his name chanted at a basketball game IMO.
Voluvr writes:
I think Pilot Oil is hiring!
mike_d writes:
What he meant to say was..."if my parents can find a job making 7 million a year, then i might come back"
volatil writes:
Juicy Locke says Mercedes is hiring , oh yeah thats only for Ala. players parents.
golfballs03 writes:
I think we can find them jobs
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