Packer: Catch vs. Memphis got Graham going

It wasn't supposed be that difficult. The 1999 Vols were supposed to hammer Memphis at Neyland Stadium and get back on track after a 23-21 loss to Florida after winning a national championship the year before. However, down 16-10 with just 2 minutes to go, Tennessee needed a miracle. Little-known wide receiver Bobby Graham would deliver and keep alive the Vols' hopes of a repeat national title.

"There's no question that it was my biggest catch," Graham said recently. "I remember when the ball was in the air that I was thinking, 'Just make a play.' That's why I was on the field, was to make a play."

The play was a 53-yard bomb from Tee Martin down to the Memphis 6-yard line with just over a minute to play. It was a miracle in more ways than one. The biggest reason may have been because it was just Graham's second career catch.

"Back then, I didn't know how big of a catch it was. Now that I look back I realize what that game meant to our team," Graham said. "Hearing former players talk about the 1996 loss and how that loss at Memphis was the toughest loss they had ever had to deal with made me realize how big it was to get out of that game with a win. As far as a player, it kind of jump-started my career. I think at that point the coaches realized that they could count on me to make a big play when they needed one."

There were some special times for Graham during his playing days at UT (1997-2001). The catch against Memphis in '99 and the win over Florida in 2001 were two of the biggest. Those great memories made it hard to see Phillip Fulmer forced out last year as head coach.

"I think the biggest thing for a number of us former players was wondering if we were a part of the Tennessee family anymore," Graham said. "I was frustrated with the whole thing because I didn't know how the new staff would accept us."

That all changed with a dinner before this season began.

"A bunch of former players were invited to a booster's house to meet and greet the new coaches. It was really neat because they welcomed us in," he said. "We got to shake their hands and get to know who they are. Lane Kiffin spoke to us and that was pretty cool. I remember that (former UT lineman) Reggie Coleman was real mad about Coach Fulmer being forced out and said that he didn't want to have anything to do with the program. Well, after that evening with the new coaches even he bought into the change.

"Right now, Tennessee football is headed in the right direction again. We're starting to put a few games together. The program is in the paper for the good things and not the bad things. I like Lane Kiffin's confidence and his brashness. Even before the season started he didn't know what kind of kids he had, but by doing his talking he showed them that he had confidence in them. "

Graham stays busy these days with a couple of jobs. First and foremost, he works for the Knox County Trustees office in the property tax department. And during the football season he coaches wide receivers and defensive backs at South-Doyle High School.

"I love coaching, but it is an eye-opener," he said. "What we're trying to do at South-Doyle is to change the culture. The kids aren't used to winning and we have to change that through the mindset of each player. Football is like life, if you want to get where you want to get, you need to work to get there. Nothing in life will be handed to you. I think that's what I took from football is the work ethic to be the best that I can be."

"Coaching gives me the opportunity to keep the competitive juices flowing. I think that's why I got so upset at the bad press Jonathan Crompton was getting earlier in the season. As a former receiver, I was watching the games waiting for the receivers to make some plays for him. Sure, there were some balls thrown behind the receivers. But, I always looked at it as though if you were close enough to get your hand on the ball you were close enough to make the catch. I wanted to tell everyone that they needed to get off his back. Finally, Gerald Jones took some of the blame, he took some responsibility and I think that helped Crompton. I had a respect for Jones before that, but even more after he stood up and took some of the heat."

Mark Packer hosts The Locker Room on Sunday at 10 p.m. on MyVLT2.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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