Going Back To Tennessee Is A “Special Thrill” For Steve Spurrier

Oct 12, 2013; Fayetteville, AR, USA; South Carolina Gamecock head coach Steve Spurrier walks the sidelines during the first half of a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. South Carolina defeated Arkansas 52-7. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports

Over the years Steve Spurrier has had his share of memorable one-liners, specifically in regards to Tennessee.

"You can’t spell Citrus without UT I know why Peyton came back for his senior year, he wanted to be a three-time Citrus Bowl MVP"

It’s not just Tennessee that Spurrier has spewed famous quips about — he’s been just as hard on other SEC teams.

But Spurrier would be remiss if he didn’t acknowledge the significance that Tennessee has played in his life — especially his childhood.

Spurrier, who was born in Miami, spent a great deal of his childhood in Johnson City, Tennessee. His father moved his family there when he was 12 and he was a three-sport athlete at Science Hill High School.

As most Volunteer fans know, when you’re raised in East Tennessee, Orange & White is all you know.

So as you can imagine, that’s what Steve Spurrier knew growing up, something he mentioned during his Sunday teleconference.

"Nobody’s going to ask about me going back to Tennessee? We usually talk about that a little bit. It is a special thrill. When I was a kid, we used to go to Shields-Watkins Field and watch Tennessee play. So it is a special thrill."

Even Spurrier, who can be quite condescending, can’t deny what it means to play at Neyland Stadium, even some 50 years after he left East Tennessee.