Tennessee will open its 2024 campaign against Chattanooga at Neyland Stadium on Aug. 31.
In anticipation for the season opener, VolReport is highlighting a former Vols player whose jersey number matches the amount of days until kickoff.
TALK ABOUT IT IN THE ROCKY TOP FORUM
With 91 days to go, Tennessee defensive end Doug Atkins, who lettered for the Vols from 1950-52 and is one of eight former players to have their jersey numbers retired in the program, is selected.
Atkins arrived at Tennessee on a basketball scholarship in 1950, but was recruited by head coach Robert Neyland to join the football team because of his size.
As a freshman, Atkins was a member of a Vols' defense that recorded six shutout victories en route to an 11-1 finish in 1950, including a 20-14 win over No. 3 Texas in the Cotton Bowl.
In 1951, Atkins was an even bigger contributor during Tennessee's national championship run, intercepting one pass and returning a blocked punt for a touchdown. The Vols' defense held opponents scoreless and Atkins was named All-SEC First Team by the Associated Press.
By the end of the 1952 season, Atkins earned All-SEC and All-American honors and totaled three interceptions for 65 yards and a touchdown over three seasons. He was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
Atkins was selected as the 11th overall pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 1953 NFL Draft where he spent two seasons and was a member of the Browns' NFL Championship team in 1954.
After being traded to the Chicago Bears in 1955, Atkins was a four-time All-Pro selection and appeared in the Pro Bowl eight times.
He ended his pro career with the New Orleans Saints, retiring in 1969 after recording 94.5 career sacks, one safety, 11 fumble recoveries and three interceptions.
Atkins was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982. Tennessee retired his jersey in 2005.
–––––
– TALK ABOUT IT IN THE ROCKY TOP FORUM.
– ENJOY VOLREPORT WITH A PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION.
– SUBSCRIBE TO THE VOLREPORT YOUTUBE CHANNEL.
– FOLLOW VOLREPORT ON TWITTER: @TennesseeRivals, @ByNoahTaylor, @RyanTSylvia, @Dale_Dowden, @ShayneP_Media.
–––––
