Tennessee football fans could go the rest of their life without thinking back to the Vols’ trip to South Carolina in 2022. Not only did it mark the end of UT’s College Football Playoff push, handing the team its second loss of the season in the four-team format, but star quarterback Hendon Hooker tore his ACL, ending his potential Heisman-winning year.
However, years later, Hooker revealed that he went into the game hurt. On an appearance with Ron Slay on 104-5 The Zone, he said he tore his meniscus in the game before against Missouri.
“What’s really crazy is I didn’t even run prior to that game the entire week,” Hooker said. “I was just sitting in the pocket, throwing the ball. I tore my meniscus the game before against Missouri. I’m essentially playing the entire South Carolina game on a torn meniscus. The third play of the game, I take off for 50, 55 yards, I’m like, ‘Oh? I’m good to go. I don’t even need to worry about this knee thing.’ Next time I tried to run, I put my foot in the ground and I have no meniscus so it’s nothing to stabilize the ACL, and I just tore my ACL.
“I had a feeling that the ground didn’t feel good to me pregame. It was like sand and dirt. I’m like man, this doesn’t feel right. But it was a tough deal. I remember Joe (Milton III) was the first person to come talk to me when I got off the ground. I was just bawling my eyes out. He just told me, like bro, I got your back, I’m gonna finish this for us.”
“I played that game on a torn meniscus”🤯
Former Tennessee QBs Hendon Hooker (@henhook2) and Joe Milton III (@Qbjayy7 ) tell the story of Hooker’s ACL tear vs South Carolina in 2022👀🍊
📺 FULL INTERVIEW: https://t.co/exr6WFdNTW pic.twitter.com/hIXpL2zZig
— 3HL (@3HL1045) February 7, 2026
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Before going down with an injury, Hooker completed 25-of-42 passes for 247 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also ran for 25 yards on five attempts. South Carolina held a lead throughout, though, forcing Hooker and the offense to play from behind. Ultimately, the Gamecocks won 63-38.
The game before, when Hooker tore his meniscus, the Vols thrashed the Tigers, 66-24, at home. Hooker completed 25-of-35 passes for 355 yards, three touchdowns and no picks. He ran for 50 yards and a score, as well. It is unclear at what moment Hooker suffered the injury.
Now, Hooker is bouncing around the NFL. After being drafted by the Detroit Lions, he was waived in 2025. The Carolina Panthers picked him up before releasing him. Then, he was signed by the New York Jets. He has appeared in three games across his pro career.
