Former Tennessee safety Eric Berry will wear No. 29 on his Kansas City Chiefs jersey to honor former Tennessee defensive back Inky Johnson.
Johnson suffered a devastating shoulder injury in 2006. He was a graduate assistant coach under former UT coaches Phillip Fulmer and Lane Kiffin before being reassigned to the UT’s development office this past January.
Johnson said he hopes to return to coaching, likely at the high school level. He still has little use of his right arm.
A representative from Berry’s agent confirmed the jersey switch. Berry wore No. 14 while playing for UT.
Berry was selected with the fifth pick of the NFL Draft on Thursday.
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Comments » 73
osbymartin#581730 writes:
Quality kid!!!
dlobh writes:
Eric Berry is just a class act.
SmokeytheVol writes:
very respectable young man. big things will come from him. who knows, we could see 29 retired up at KC in years to come...
kjneel#238751 writes:
Could he be any more classy? The guy is an amazing ambassador for UT
Orangelife writes:
goose bumbs
SeanJean writes:
Wow. Gonna miss you EB.
volfan112 writes:
ditto
Healeystyle writes:
Could be the new Madden curse for EB, IMO.
jeremy writes:
Just another reason to love this kid!! Wish you all the best EB!! Thanks for the memories.
RockyTopVolFan writes:
Thanks Eric! You are a class act and a credit to your family (which includes Volunteer fans) and our University. Best wishes to you AND Inky in the future. Godspeed to both of you.
VOLinCO writes:
my favorite Vol ever.... EVER!
nocleats writes:
Says alot about Inky also. He has total respect of all the Vols!!
BSweet writes:
Total class. Hopefully some of our current players are taking notes. Eric Berry is THE example of how these kids should conduct themselves. Guess I'm adding KC to the teams I need to root for, lol.
cloudodust writes:
Berry is class...and Tebow will honor Tebow with his jersey number...
vol_till_i_die writes:
..gives me goose bumps.
i'm SO proud and EB and all he brought to Tennessee! GO VOLS!
Skullz_VOL writes:
Nice! Very Nice! Wish we had 50 more just like him. The mold is probably broke though...
vol4lifedld writes:
WOW!! what a kid!! my favorite VOL of all time and its really sad to see him go. Best of luck EB and you can bet that i am part chief fan now i will always cheer for this class act.
rockytopron writes:
Honorable act by an honorable man!
flatrock writes:
I will take 11 Eric Berrys or 11 Inky Johnsons
and go play anybody. Two class young men!
givehim6 writes:
Tebow is a fine christen guy I'm sure but to mirror the life of Christ like us as christens are suppose to do, I see one flaw the young man has HUMLITY. That is something Berrie has, Berrie is a great role model for all young Vols.
tulelakevol writes:
Eric Berry for president!!!
TommyJack writes:
Why act like that? Are you eleven?
rockytop33 writes:
Eric Berry is all class period.
Brillovol writes:
Hopefully there are 2 more at least close to him. Don't forget about his twin younger brothers! :)
JBVols1698 writes:
dumb.. he should be 14
MillisaAnn writes:
That's so nice :) :) :)
hueypilot writes:
I think that's probably between him and the Kansas City Chiefs.
JBVols1698 writes:
Or the League... can DBs wear 10-19 in the NFL? I know receivers can now But I think DBs have to stay in the 20s-40s... which is, if I may add, a dumb rule.
Ayres_Hall writes:
are you 14?
acarr13 writes:
why even bring tebow into this.
rockytop4ever writes:
This young man just continues to amaze me. On the field, off the field, dont matter. He is just an all around great person. Thanks for representing UT with the upmost integrity. Truely a class act! Thanks for the memories EB14!!!
jerrybecker writes:
Yes, he had to pick a number between 20-29. See below ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_...
jerrybecker writes:
Correction ... between 20-49.
SaintDeacon187 writes:
When can I get a KC Berry #29 jersey?
richvol writes:
What an amazing thing to do. I'm sure Inky is touched by this great gesture of respect.
To whom much is given...
Strap writes:
Classy move by a terrific person, Eric Berry. Not so classy by "Cloudodust". The cheap shot at Tebow was completely uncalled for.
Joevolsxtra writes:
Posted at 1:37p.m.? I hope your teacher doesn't catch you on the computer not doing your history report.
vol4gzus writes:
Obviously for you the dust cloud is so thick you can't see or think clearly. Mr. Tim Tebow is humble and usually doesn't seek to draw attention to himself. He is young and still growing up so don't be so quick to judge since you and can't see his heart.
Thank you Eric Berry for being a class act at UT. We will pull for you,Cottam and Colquitt with the Chiefs.
OldNumber7 writes:
Always thinking about his family and others - all class.
illinoisvolfan writes:
The NFL rule of having to wear certain numbers because a player plays a certain position is rather dumb.
Now, one should respect EB for wanting to honor a former teammate who will never have the chance to play in the NFL because of a crippling arm injury. For all we know, EB might have done this even if he could have worn 14.
Make the Vol Nation proud EB.
vol4gzus writes:
How many of you remember the main reason Mr. Berry decided to forego his senior campaign at UT? That's right it was to help his family since unemployment had hit the home. The son felt the need to parlay honestly his God-given talents into relief for his mom and dad and brothers. Not many young men in today's me first society think that way. He can thank God for his parents who taught him that not just in words ,but probably in deeds as well. In other words it just wasn't lip service by them on how to live. I hope many young Vol fans watch and try to emulate his lifestyle for the good of society and God's glory. GO VOLS!!!
InertGas writes:
Bravo!!! Well said.
marinevol writes:
Wish he was going to be a Titan.
vol45 writes:
I do hope that you did not go to school at UT.
Berry Christian
givehim6 writes:
Explain
IBleedOrange444 writes:
You can order one now. It'll probably take a while to ship. Here's the link.
http://www.nflshop.com/product/index....
marinevol writes:
I don't want to use a story about Eric Berry to bash Tebow, but, did you really just say that Tebow doesn't seek to draw attention to himself?
worldwideturd writes:
Come on...I know you can figure it out!!
vol45 writes:
Spelling
DenverVol writes:
Please proofread and/or run your post through spell check before posting. "Berrie"?!? Are you kidding me? "Christens"? Really? I never slam other's posts for not knowing how to spell or use proper grammar but come on.
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