Tennessee football’s Neyland Stadium is widely considered one of the top homefield advantages in the sport. The Vols hold the record for the highest decibel level reached during a game and routinely pack the over 1,000-seat stadium.
While we get the perspective of spectators, it’s a completely different beast to run through the T and play between the white lines of Shields-Watkins Field. During SEC Media Days, each of UT’s player representatives, running back DeSean Bishop, linebacker Arion Carter and linebacker Jeremiah Telander, were asked about the experience.
Here’s what they said.
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RB DeSean Bishop
Q. When you’re standing in the tunnel at Neyland Stadium and there’s 110,000 people screaming and shouting and singing Rocky Top, is that a goosebump moment?
DESEAN BISHOP: It gives you chills. I remember my first time running through the tunnel, I wasn’t playing, but, man, it was anything I could ever imagine. Believe it or not, I often don’t really hear the crowd because I’m so locked into the game.
But I once was in the recruiting section watching it. It’s unlike anything you can imagine. Very grateful for our fans. I believe we have the best fan base in the world. If you get a chance to come to Neyland Stadium or a game in Neyland, I highly recommend it.
LB Arion Carter
Q. You’re standing in the tunnel at Neyland field, 110,000 people are singing Rocky Top. Do you still get goosebumps?
ARION CARTER: Man, every single time. It’s nothing like it, honestly. I feel like Vol Nation is the best fan base in America. And I’ll die on that, on that hill every day of the week. It’s just electrifying just to get that privilege to walk outside of that tunnel and run through that T every single game. It’s a blessing.
LB Jeremiah Telander
Q. You’re standing in the tunnel at Neyland Stadium, there’s 110,000 people singing Rocky Top, do you still get goosebumps?
JEREMIAH TELANDER: Every single time, man, it doesn’t get old. People might tell you it does, but from the first time I ever did it to all last season, it hasn’t got old man.
