The cover of the Oct. 30, 1967, issue of Sports Illustrated depicts an airborne collision between a crimson-clad Alabama player and a Volunteer in an orange jersey.
Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin wanted to turn back the clock Saturday but Alabama wouldn’t let him.
Kiffin and UT athletic director Mike Hamilton said Monday that Alabama denied Tennessee’s request to wear orange jerseys against the No. 1-ranked Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa.
“We tried,’’ Kiffin said. “Talking with some people in the offseason about the history here and both teams wearing the home jersey, I thought that would be something really neat for our fans and for their fans, too.
“We were approved by the SEC and Alabama denies us that.’’
A rule enacted in the late 1960s required that the visiting team wear white jerseys to provide contrast for viewers of black-and-white TV sets. A few schools, including LSU, choose to wear white at home so the visitor has to wear a colored jersey.
However, in February the NCAA football rules committee enacted a loophole (Rule 1-4-3-a).
The visitor may wear a colored jersey as long it contrasts with the home team’s jersey. However, both the home team’s conference and the home team must approve.
UT’s request included the opportunity for Alabama to wear crimson next year in Neyland Stadium.
The SEC granted permission but Alabama did not.
Asked if Alabama gave a reason for the denial, Kiffin said no.
Mal Moore, Alabama athletic director, issued a statement Monday night in response to the Mobile Press-Register:
“Mike (Hamilton) and I had a good conversation this morning and I told him that it is our desire to maintain the custom of the visiting team wearing their visiting jerseys. We’ll continue to wear our white jerseys when we visit Knoxville next year.’’
Last year, UCLA (light blue) and Southern Cal (cardinal) agreed to wear their colored jerseys in a UCLA home game.
Southern Cal was penalized one time-out for not wearing white. UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel then burned a time-out to even the scales.
The new rule for 2009 stiffens the penalty. If the visiting wears a colored jersey without permission it will be penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct following the kickoff of each half.
“We’re not good enough to do that,’’ Kiffin said. “The last thing we want to do is kick off 15 yards back.’’
The Vols no doubt would have enjoyed wearing orange on the road. Perhaps Alabama didn’t want to give UT any inspirational edge.
“We could wear pink and I’d still go down there ready to go,’’ said senior Wes Brown, an Alabama native.
“This game is special to me. But wearing the orange jersey is special and if you could do it in a great rivalry like this, that’d be very special.’’
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Comments » 215
JBVols1698 writes:
I would love to be able to go in there wearing Orange and take the penalty just to rub in their faces... oh well. Wear the Orange pants PLEASE... I love them!
OrangeBlood84 writes:
This is ridiculous. Whats the big deal about wearing orange?
NoogaVol55 writes:
What a bunch of a#$holes.
allvol32 writes:
Alabama's nervous...
DownTheField writes:
You can't spell a-hole without Alabama.
ut_vols13 writes:
Scared
Pullingguard writes:
Just goes to show they are concerned...And well they should be..... Shut the run down and they become an obselete offense unit...Question is??? Can Vols shut down the running game....
im4davols writes:
Alabama will do anything to piss us off!
smokyredbone writes:
Chumps from Cheater U.
DownTheField writes:
I would expect this from Meyer- he's petty. I thought Saban was above pettiness. I was wrong.
JBVols1698 writes:
come on guys... are they really that concerned?? I wouldn't take it like that... If Bama was an 0-12 team and asked for anything similar to this I would tell them hell no give them the finger and laugh in their faces. We hate them, they hate us... I don't think it goes any farther than that.
CLEMSONVOL716WASBANNED writes:
I would have liked to at least to be given a reason. UT did give a reason that they denied the Auburn band and football team their request for a parade.
Otherwise, congrats to Bama for overtaking the Gators for the #1 spot. Just a matter of time before the BCS gets it right.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
That's okay. Locker room material. Kiff purposely did this to file away in his cabinet for future use. He has a reason for everything he does - very shrewd guy!!
WhitePineVol77 writes:
Big deal...Bammers just flying their flag. Hopefully, we'll have their number and get the last laugh. If and when they request the same of us, we should allow it just to show who has more class.
Go VOLS
4114 writes:
Bama did not want the VOLS to wear thier orange as it would blend in with thier inmate uni's.
13ontheway writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
DownTheField writes:
Something this petty just goes to show you that Kiffin is under Saban's skin. Watch out- Meyer's public image has suffered because of his reactions.
ThurmondEppy writes:
Laugh now fatboy
txvolsfan writes:
Who cares, I look forward to ripping that #1 off Satan!!!!
tonyvick#213307 writes:
Welcome to the UT/ALABAMA rivalry. You can't just ask them for something, you have to take it from them. Let's make it where at half time they will wish that had granted our request. Go Vols!!!
civilianvol_formerly_marinevol writes:
Both teams wearing colored jerseys would be way too confusing for the bama players. They have to keep it simple.
DownTheField writes:
clever
chattaboogievol writes:
Why would you even read anything on this site? If TN were ranked #2 in one poll and #1 in another and playing a 3-3 team, I would take the weekend off, much less be trolling around on the opposing team's website making stupid posts that aren't even posts, really.
Come back on here Sunday after #14 takes your QB out of the game and you guys lose!
Loser, troll.
Or, maybe your a closet Vol.....
13ontheway writes:
Vols will be running for the bus at 1/2 time. If their smart the won't get on it to make the trip! Wear those gay looking orange pants instead. Liberatchi would not be cought dead in those things.
Roll Tide Roll
civilianvol_formerly_marinevol writes:
This is a sports site, we're really not interested in what you like to suck.
troken writes:
fittobetide and you fellow bammers suck. I hope Satan steps out in front of a bus......... I'm going to elmwood tomorrow and pizz on da bears grave.
civilianvol_formerly_marinevol writes:
Good one.
DownTheField writes:
True. Sad but true. A very racist, backwards, elitist place.
dvols writes:
its easier to ask forgiveness than permission...
bugman (Inactive) writes:
do it anyway. if we lose at least we do it in style
chattaboogievol writes:
What's the matter, bammer site run out of crayons to pass around?
Fear the Kiffin.
VOLS-20
crimson turds- 17
BOOK IT.
13ontheway writes:
It's all in good fun dude! Don't take it personal. It's Bama vs Vols. Nothing like a little smack talk to insite the riot. Fun to check out the other site as well as our own. Plenty of flammer's over there as well. Good Luck Sat. in what will be a good game for one of us.....
Roll Tide
tigervol77 writes:
Sounds like we will be rolling in the Orange Uniforms on Sat! Pi$$ on Bama! Take the 15 yards!
VolFan1012 writes:
For the love of everything good and pure....DON'T WEAR THE ORANGE PANTS!!!! The Vols lay an egg when they wear the hideous orange pants with the white jerseys! If my memory serves me correctly, it dates back to the upset at Memphis in '96. All white is the way to go!!!
DownTheField writes:
Bones never lie.
UTmama writes:
PLEASE!!! NO ORANGE PANTS!!!
chattaboogievol writes:
You're right...it IS UT-Bama. I would expect the same response if I visited your site.
Not that I would.
I would say good luck, but that just wouldn't be true, so here's hopin' no players are seriously injured on either side of the ball.
GO BIG ORANGE...even though bama is afraid of the Orange.
SEC__Headgear writes:
I remember when there was ultimate respect between these two universities and teams. Desency went out as did cigars.
Where once there was tradition, now there is nonsense. Satan rules, FOR NOW!
VOLFORLIFE writes:
"Liberatchi"?!?
I think the 13 in your name must refer to your age. Don't you think you need to run on to bed? School tomorrow, you know.
GO VOLS!!!
JUGHEAD
Velo_Vol writes:
Who cares?
Wear white jersey with orange pants. Problem solved.
UTmama writes:
Go to school and learn how to spell. Sorry you didn't make it past the 4th grade.
13ontheway writes:
As a old bama fan please bring out the orange shoe's a la 1986... Johnny got so pissed he would not let them come out after 1/2 time wearing them. Bobby Humphrey left,right and up the middle for 200 plus. I had a friend playing for the Vols(T. Hayworth)and he told me about JM's rant. Wear the shoes please....
chattaboogievol writes:
LMAO...now that's funny, mama!
DownTheField writes:
Something tells me that none of us will be playing in the game. So, man up and start making sense.
OrangePride writes:
Tempest in a teapot. Wear the white and play like champions......that's the best revenge. Besides, we wore orange last year......didn't help much as I recall. Maybe we will do better in white. GO VOLS!
VolWoman writes:
If you were smart, you'd learn how to spell. Their/they're would be a good thing to learn as well.
cc623 writes:
Hey Witch Daddy do the wear "jorts" too?I would have to think so considering all the UF fans do with their mullets...
civilianvol_formerly_marinevol writes:
Come on now, surely you've heard of Liberatchi. He's an Alabama porn star. Performs in Waffle House parking lots in bama, and is a legend in the state. He ranks right up there with the bear and George Wallace.
chattaboogievol writes:
WitchDoctor,
Your powers reach into the depths of hell where Nick Satan resides? If so, maybe you could put a little spell on him long enough for #8 to make a curtain call after UGA game?
Ask Bones for us please.
we3vols#281863 writes:
Dang, Another Troll. I guess he is going to gum beat the H3LL out of us on our board. Go Vols. Go to H3LL Cheater U.
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