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Tennessee Vols morning report: VFL Mike Stratton passes away

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Tennessee Volunteers fans cheer during the first half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Tennessee Volunteers fans cheer during the first half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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The death of former Tennessee Vols and Buffalo Bills football player Mike Stratton leads our Volunteers news for Thursday, March 26, 2020.

COVID-19 still has everything shut down, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t bits of news continuing to come out surrounding the Tennessee Vols. With no coronavirus developments related to UT, there was still plenty of other stuff to cover.

Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with the death of a Vol for Life who became a star in the pros as well. This guy was a legend in college football and in the NFL, and he was an in-state athlete who made a huge impact.

Beyond that, we have recognition of a women’s basketball player to bring you along with news on how a certain athlete is affected by the postponement of the Olympics. That’s not a development, but it is somebody commenting on being impacted by it. Let’s start with the VFL passing, though.

VFL, Bills legend Mike Stratton passes away – UTSports

Former Tennessee Vols football player Mike Stratton passed away Wednesday at age 78. Stratton who came from Vonore, Tenn., played linebacker for Rocky Top from 1959 to 1961. He then enjoyed a 12 year career, 11 of which were with the Buffalo Bills and the last season being with the San Diego Chargers. Stratton was a six-time AFL All-Star.

"Under his leadership, the Bills captured back-to-back AFL championships in 1964 and 1965. In the 1964 version of the game against the San Diego Chargers, Stratton provided what was billed as the “hit heard round the world.” With Buffalo trailing 7-0, Stratton’s bruising tackle of the Chargers’ Keith Lincoln sparked a comeback."

Rennia Davis named a WBCA Regional Finalist – WBCA.org

After leading the Tennessee Lady Vols in scoring this past season, junior wing Rennia Davis was named a finalist for 2020 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association NCAA Division I Coaches’ All-America. Davis, who averaged 18 points and over eight rebounds a game, is one of 10 athletes from the second region.

"The selection committee will select the 10-member WBCA NCAA Division I Coaches’ All-America team from these 52 candidates. The 2020 WBCA NCAA Division I Coaches’ All-America team will be announced Thursday, April 2."

Erika Brown speaks on Olympic postponement – WBIR

SEC Championships had just wrapped up for Tennessee Vols Swimming and Diving when the coronavirus outbreak canceled everything, and the women won the title, entering the postseason in the top three. As a result, senior diver Erika Brown took a bit hit from that ending. She also was affected by the postponement of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Here’s a bit of what she said.

"“I shouldn’t be wanting to go out and find a pool and go out and train wherever I can, because then I’d be putting others at risk and also myself and I never want to be in a position where I’m possibly harming someone else, so I think that was the best decision and it’s a bit of relief.”"

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