STATEMENT OF UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE WIDE RECEIVER KELLEY WASHINGTON

"I know everybody has been asking, 'What's Kelley Washington doing?' and 'What are Kelley Washington's plans for next year?' I want to say that this is, other than my minor league signing period out of high school, the biggest decision of my life for myself and for the Washington family.

"As an immature 17-year-old, I experienced a life and a lifestyle I believed prepared me for this situation. I remember that I used to pray and cry for hours at a time on those long bus rides in the minor leagues. I used to look out my hotel windows and somehow imagine myself in this situation. You have all heard the stories about minor league baseball, but I don't believe anyone can actually know what it's like unless you're there physically and mentally. As that 17-year-old slowly matured, I realized how important work ethic, dedication and the love of my family really meant to me. As the years went by, I grew to a point in my life where I had to decide if this feeling in my heart about playing football was infatuation or true love.

"After I wondered for many long days and nights, the Lord answered my prayers Aug 21, 2000, with a voice. I don't know where it came from, but I never question His ways of communication. At that time, I didn't hesitate on my departure from minor league baseball because I knew my God would lead my path into happiness. This was an answer He gave me and it was the right one. God bless.

"As a blessed individual standing in front of you today, I have earned the right to be in another situation where He has given me no answer. This decision, I know, is for me to answer. With many hours, days and nights of research, I have found that there are more pros in leaving for the NFL than there are for staying in college. I have found out there are fewer cons in leaving for the NFL than there are in staying in school.

"I have received many opinions and facts about my decision, but, in the end, Kelley Washington only listens to that one individual in his life. That person is the reason I am standing here today and, before I left Virginia to come here last night, I received my final advice from my one and only. She said, 'I love coming to all your Tennessee games. I love the band, the fans and to see her son point at her.' I looked her in her eyes and asked this special woman if she wanted to be taken care of now or one year later.

"Her response to me, her son, was, 'I can make it, son. I know you'll make the right decision.' As I drove the six hours from Virginia to Tennessee last night, Kelley Washington now knew the answer. With my love for Tennessee football and all aspects of college, the main individual I want to never work again wants her son to run through the 'T' one more year. She wants to hear the crowd roar one more year and see her son point at her one more year. I have decided to remain at the University of Tennessee. This decision is the right one for Kelley Washington and his family."

STATEMENT OF UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEAD FOOTBALL COACH PHILLIP FULMER

"I came in here without any idea of what was going to happen. Obviously, I'm elated by Kelley's decision. In our conversations, Kelley Washington has researched this decision as well and as much as anybody I've ever been around. We've been through this a number of times. We appreciate his decision and his dedication to this football team and to his family. I appreciate the sacrifices his family will endure for another year, but I think, in the long run, Kelley has a chance to be one of the top players in the country picked next year.

“He is a special athlete and we will do all we can to see that his abilities are used to the utmost as they were this year. An awful lot of what he did this year was due to sheer talent. We're anxious to see him improve and reach the dreams he wants to reach. I know he can do that. We appreciate his commitment to this program. We needed a lift right now. It gave us that as we finish out this recruiting year and start into spring practice for the 2002 season."

EDITOR'S NOTE: Washington, a 6-4, 225-pound wide receiver from Stephens City, Va., led the Vols in pass receiving in 2001 with 64 catches for 1,010 yards and five scores. He had a school-record 256 yards receiving in the LSU game at Knoxville, breaking a 35-year record (Johnny Mills, 225 yards vs. Kentucky, 1966) in the process. His 11 catches against the Tigers tied for fifth best in school history, with his long catch of the year being 70 yards in that game. His 2001 receiving numbers are fourth in single season catches and yardage in the UT record book. He was a consensus All-SEC freshman selection and was named to both The Sporting News and Football Writers' Freshman All-America first teams. He also was named second team All-SEC by the Coaches.