Remember that Florida game in 1998. Or for that matter, the entire national championship season.
Ask anyone there and they’ll say that no player was more integral to that once in a half century run than Al Wilson.
Teammates will tell you that the linebacker with the steely glare was the ultimate Volunteer. Now, that same Vol could use a similar lift from his former teammates as he faces the most daunting challenge in his life.
The cheers during a hastily planned halftime flag football game were a welcome escape for Tennessee’s former All American linebacker. Being with his teammates allowed Wilson a few moments to forget about the real-life struggle he’s facing.
“My son is sick,” Wilson said Saturday. “My son was diagnosed with cancer last year, so these days all I’m doing is taking care of him and making sure that he has everything he needs and being a father to him.”
Chemotherapy treatments have eradicated one of the two brain tumors. Another still must be dealt with. Wilson, always the fighting optimist, sees an advantage in his son’s battle.
“He’s young,” Wilson said of his 15-year-old. “His body can come back.”
The revelation suddenly turns the tables on one of UT’s most respected leaders. Now, Wilson needs his teammates just like they needed him in 1998 when the Vols won a national championship for the first time in 47 years.
“It’s huge for a guy like Al Wilson to come back because he means so much for the university,” said former safety Fred White, who started alongside Wilson in 1998. “I don’t think we have a national championship without Al Wilson. He loves the University of Tennessee. He loves the orange.”
Former UT receiver Peerless Price, who competed in the halftime event, still remembers the impact Wilson had as a leader on UT’s most accomplished team in the modern era.
“Being a vocal leader, motivating guys, getting guys excited and focused and ready to play, I think Al definitely was the MVP of that,” Price said. “... you could say he is the MVP of the team because he made so many plays on the field too. The way his passion on and off the field for the game of football and his passion for leading men showed too.”
To most, Wilson embodied the chemistry that UT’s 1998 team had. One of the most productive Vols of all time also happened to be one of its best leaders.
“That doesn’t happen very often,” Price said. “Myself for an example, I’m not a vocal guy. I try to lead by example but Al leads by example and he has that quality to lead men and touch men and speak to men and get them motivated to play. That’s unique. You don’t find that often.”
Some have debated whether Wilson should be added to the three modern-era players (Doug Atkins, Peyton Manning and Reggie White) that have had their jerseys retired. It’s hard to find an argument against the honor among Wilson’s teammates.
“You’re right; that’s enough said,” Price said to the reporter that suggested the notion. “You’re exactly right. It should be. He did so much, brought too much.”
Said Wilson, “That would be the icing on the cake. To be able to help lead this team to a national championship and have great success and to be able to come back to my alma mater and see my jersey retired, that would be great.
Wilson, however, isn’t biding his time.
“It’s not something I’m looking forward to because you just have to keep moving on with life and hope for the best,” he said. “If it happens, it happens. If not, I’ll still love the university as much as I do now.”
As per the current stipulations for jersey retirement, that will never happen. UT places a strong emphasis on professional accomplishments that Wilson, despite five Pro Bowls, didn’t reach.
“I don’t think the pros really determine what you did in college,” Wilson said. “A lot of great players in the pros were not good college football players. I believe what you did in a university, what you had a chance to contribute, what you brought to a university should be the leading things.
“Now, if you go on to have success in the pros that should be a bonus but it definitely shouldn’t be held against you if you didn’t.”
Wilson readily engaged in the jersey retirement debate. Even more so he enjoyed playing football again with his teammates. The few hours were a brief respite.
Life soon came calling.
“Just trying to find my way and figure out what’s best for me and my family,” Wilson said as he was leaving Neyland Stadium.
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Comments » 48
back2backchamps writes:
Prayers for the Wilson family.
SEC1 writes:
Prayers to your family BIG AL !!!
HtownVol writes:
Some users consider this comment inappropriate. Reveal this comment.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/st...
UGA has a little QB issue also.
I am glad that CDD has kept UT out of this ESPN news headline so far.
newportvol writes:
A true Vol! How can we get his jersey retired.. Who cares about there pro career its what they do at Tn is all i care about!
chicknleggs writes:
Retire Al's jersey. What matters to me, is what he did at UT.
smokies_old_soul writes:
God Bless, Mr. Al - prayers are with your son.
never stop coming back to knoxville - you are still needed here.
give_him_6 writes:
I pray Gods blessings on your son and your family big fella. You are and will always be needed in Knoxville. Hands down, the best LB I ever saw play in the orange in my 42 years.
allvol9 writes:
Very sad. Al Wilson will always be one of my favorite all time Vols. Prayers to out to his son and family.
RoadTrip writes:
First things first - we pray the Lord's healing power on your son and family Al. He has all the answers you need.
I have seen some great LBs in my 56 years on this planet and Al Wilson ranks up there with the best for all around performance and at the top for leadership. There is no NC in 1998 without Al and every Vol player and fan knows it. Seeing him with Peerless, Fred, Terry, Joey, Jeff and all the other orange blooded winners Saturday gave all of us great pride. Retire the jersey UT, there will only be one Al Wilson.
vol4gzus writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
PureOrange writes:
May God bless you Al, and may He lift up your son to a fully healthy life.
You will always be a special Vol.
DaddyVol writes:
Does anyone have Al's mailing address. I need to get something VERY important to him ASAP.
Thanks in advance!
Georgia_Dave writes:
I happened to be seated directly above the tunnel where the former Vols came out onto the field. When they emerged, there was a couple minutes to wait. I saw Al and shouted to him. He looked up at me and smiled and waved. I said welcome back and he acknowleged it. How unfortuate that I didn't know about this cancer so I could have told him we would pray for his son. If you read this Al, know that we are praying and will keep it up. YOU WERE ( ARE ) the best LB EVER to wear orange!!!
VolGrad writes:
Al Wilson was and is the embodiment of everything that is good about Tennessee Football and the 1998 National Championship season.
I trust the University will do the right thing by him. Our prayers are with him and his family.
I would love to see him find a role with our program again. We need that fire.
chrisw2967 writes:
My thoughts and prayers goes out to Al and his son and the rest of his family for God to heal this young man.
Al is the best LB I have seen at Tn in my life time and UT just needs to retire the mans jersey,he carried Tn to the NC and without him Tn doesnt get to the NCG.The only thing that should matter is what he did at Tn and not on the NFL.
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
My thoughts and prayers go out to Al and his son. I hope he is getting treatment at St. Judes. May the good Lord be with you and your son!
UT retire his jersey please!
Orangeyouavol writes:
And this has WHAT to do with Wilsons son having cancer
Fryinpansvols writes:
My prayers for you Mr. Al Wilson that God will heal your sick son and everything is taken care of. #27 is easily my favorite Vol of all time. I had a discussion a few years back with an old boss that Al should have his # retired. He would have had a longer pro career if he didn't hurt his shoulder. I think being an All-Pro Outside Linebacker for the Denver Broncos and going to 5 Pro Bowls is pretty significant. We all know what he did at UT. The best linebacker in my time to wear Orange. Might be one of the best defenders ever to wear Orange. GBO and may God heal your son! BTW, retire # 27 please!
bigvol662004 writes:
I'm terribly sorry as are all decent folk, to hear of this circumstance in Al's family. I along with everyone else, will send up heartfelt prayers for his son and hope all will be well soon! Thanks for the memories, Al!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Big Al, prayers for your family.
Life is never fair and can be harsh.
Hang in there, ring-wearing Vol.
gbrown2 writes:
We are praying for God to perform a miracle in your son's life. Believe it, accept it and walk in the miracle. The word says that by his stripes we are healed.
bobbarbilly writes:
Let go of the horizontal and look vertical Al. Not because you wore orange, but because you have a need, we pray for you, your son and your family.
537081 writes:
Thanks for the years of service to UT Al. My family will be thinking of yours.
dtacker#607308 writes:
Big Al, you are the man. I hope the best for your son. Prayers go out.
Retire Wilson's jersey!
xd9x19 writes:
One of favorite Vol players of my lifetime. Peyton, Reggie, Al. There are others, but Al is one of my Big Three.
Best wishes to you and your son, Al. Hope and pray he makes a full recovery. If he's got your heart, then there's no doubt about it.
bigorangetrain writes:
Who came up with the idea that what you achieved in the NFL dictates whether or not your jersey gets retired in college?! Thats boneheaded!
illinoisvolfan writes:
Go somewhere else with this nonsense, like to one of the stories about Myles.
Best wishes to the Wilson family during this rough time. If Al son's is 1/4 as tough as his father, he'll beat this...guaranteed.
On the subject of retired numbers, retire #27, #45, and #72. #27 for Wilson and Hank Lauricella (should have won the Heisman in 1951, finished second). #45 for Johnny Majors for his career achievements at UT. #72 for George Cafego for the same reason as Majors.
GO VOLS!!
CoodyJohnson writes:
I wish the Wilson's luck and will pray that everything turns out all right. I'm losing my mother to brain tumors currently & it has me all tore up, I can't even imagine losing my child.
givehim6 writes:
My mother-in-law just went through all this cancer stuff. I know its bad especially @ a young age like Al son but if he is as tough as Al he can do it! My prayers gout to you "through CRIST we can do all things".
feathersax writes:
Thank you Al...for your continued dedication to the Big Orange & mostly for being a loving dad. Prayers for your son & family.
richvol writes:
Those qualifications were set up to eliminate a certain former Vol,who departed from the University under adverse circumstances,from consideration and everyone at the UT Athletic Department knows it. It's time to put the emnity aside and give Majors and Wilson their due reward.
Also UT,nobody gives a damn about what happened in the pros. It does not discredit what a player did at UT but it can enhance it.
KevDVol writes:
If not Al's jersey then who's. I thought it was great when only Tennessee Volunteers killed in WWII military service held the distinction of having their jersey and number retired. Then they came up with some kind of completely bogus pro-based formula that prevents Johnny Majors and Al Wilson from being honored. If Al Wilson and Johnny Majors don't deserve honor then they should go back to just Nowling, Klarer, Tucker and Fuson. What a crock!
Mjollnir writes:
All good wishes and prayers to Al, his family and son.
In my opinion, having watched the Volunteers since 1963, Al Wilson is one of the greatest of all time, not just for his athletic ability, but also for what he represents--the true Volunteer spirit. His jersey should have already been retired. Long live Al and his son.
Volunatic writes:
Sorry to hear about his son. What a painful struggle that must be for him.
It is amazing that he came back to Tennessee for his senior season, considering that he already had a child at the time. I'm sure glad he did.
He and his son will be in my prayers.
willoxxl writes:
How dose this guy not have a street named after him and his jersey retired? Hands down my favorite Vol ever.
jwfranklin#209274 writes:
I agree that they should of left it alone. Always thought that it was very meaningful to only have the 3 Vols who were killed in WWII honored this way. Anything someone does on a football field..college or pro.. will never measure up.
imw8n4u writes:
For the jersey thing, I agree it never should have changed from an honor reserved for those who died in service. However, retired or not, when I think of #27, it is and always will be Al Wilson!!
Orangeyouavol writes:
Dear Lord, Please be with the Wilson family during this time of need. We know you can work miracles and if it be your will, I pray you will work a miracle in our dear brothers family,in Jesus name I humbly pray......AMEN
Orange_Julius writes:
We love you Al and always will. You were one of the nicest vols I ever met in person. I was shocked when you were standing behind me at Subway on the strip back in 98, you were shorter than I thought a "giant" should be but you were thick as a wall. ;) Prayers for your son.
As for the article, Dave...what point did it serve to add that the event was "hastily" put together? Focus on the task at hand/subject matter and let your stupid opinions rest.
tnaseevol writes:
It was hastily put together. Adams & Hyams was PR to placate the press. The flag football was PR to placate all the former Vols who were turned away at the weight room and need to call ahead to let TPTB know they would like to visit the weight room on any given day!
PR...will this action help? Maybe...maybe not..
Not an opinion.....just the truth.....
mbradshaw1#655539 writes:
God bless Al and his son. I pray that he will have a full recovery. Al Wilson was the person most directly held the 98 football team together throughout the year. I firmly believe without him we would not have won the national championship. He is a true VOL and a great leader and family man. May God bless you Al.
txsvol#372416 writes:
I think we should retire only the numbers of the four players slain in WWII. The rest should be acknowledged in a Ring of Honor (I know, the idea is from the Dallas Cowboys). With special players, like Peyton, Reggie, and Doug, place them in a ring of honor, with the stipulation that only players who play on the opposite side of the ball can wear the number! But to the larger question here: If any Volunteer jerseys are retired, why not make space for the physical and spiritual leader of the defense in our only modern day National Championship team, who then managed to play at an All-Pro level for ten years? Nobody has ever worn the Orange in the modern era who is more deserving than Al Wilson!!
BTW, I agree with retiring/'ring of honoring' the numbers of George Cafego, Hank Lauricella, and Johnny Majors (the first one that I actually saw play, only on black and white TV) as well! SAVol
Mule_Days_King writes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuycAZ...
vol98champ writes:
I have always said that there should be a statue for Al somewhere on the way to the field so that all players touch it before the game. If that stare can't get you motivated to play you are mentally dead. Al you have no idea how special you are.
AtLeastMyTeamHasPerfectSeasons writes:
Just brings our everyday banter on here down to a meaningless level
Ringside writes:
One of my favorite Vols of all time, in any sport. More importantly, may God bless this young man and the entire Wilson Family. We are
praying for you young man!
RockinRobbins writes:
As a father of three boys, I can't imagine what you are dealing with. I will be praying for your son and your entire family. My favorite two teams are the Vols and the Broncos, so you can imagine how I feel about your career. It was joy to watch. Thanks for all of the memories.
Orange_Julius writes:
Nah, don't think so. Now you are giving your opinion on why you think it happened the way it did. Not the same as the "truth".
Anyway, doesn't change the fact Hooker has issues.
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