The news still has countless people all over Tennessee rocked. When it was announced that Dolly Parton had passed away, it left a big hole in plenty of hearts, especially with how much she has meant to everyone in the Volunteer State. Obviously, her connection with the Vols was quite strong, which is why Tennessee is set to honor her in a pretty special way.
During his presser to begin the week ahead of the season-opener, head man Josh Heupel announced that Tennessee will be rocking special Dolly Parton helmet decals for each game in 2026. As you'll be able to see below, it truly is a beautiful design, which will truly remind Vols fans of just how much Dolly meant to the university as a whole:
For Dolly. 🦋
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) August 31, 2026
A commemorative helmet sticker will be worn to honor Dolly Parton for every game this season. pic.twitter.com/A1mBw9ZqxZ
Tennessee football honoring the late Dolly Parton will hit fans right in the feels
Anyone else tearing up?
When it was first reported that Parton passed away, social media was taken over with special tributes - she was showered with love and understandably so. Parton meant so much to so many different people, especially in Knoxville and surrounding areas. As Heupel eloquently put it, she's the Queen of East Tennessee, no doubt.
"All that she's meant across the world, this country, and certainly the Queen of East Tennessee," Heupel said while breaking the helmet sticker news. "A lady that was extremely proud of her roots. You look at her impact, just her ability to give back, make an impact to people, certainly here in East Tennessee. She means a lot to people across this country, but certainly here inside the state of Tennessee, too."
Come Saturday against Furman, the Vols will be taking the field for the first time this season. There are going to be countless eyes on true freshman signal-caller Faizon Brandon, as he'll be getting ready to make his debut. Could a 300-yard game be on the way for him? We'll find out soon enough, but he'll be leading the offense out onto the field donning Tennessee orange for the first time.
The 5-star QB will also be rocking his Tennessee helmet with the rest of his teammates, this time with a big Dolly displayed on it. From start to finish, seeing Dolly featured is going to provide the fanbase with a ton of different emotions inside Neyland Stadium, a place Parton surely wasn't a stranger to. Remember when she sang 'Rocky Top' with incredible passion and admiration for the Vols in the game against Georgia in 2023? Of course you do.
That moment was only made better with Vols legend Peyton Manning bringing her out. Now, Parton never returning home to Neyland stings. It's a thought that people are going to have to get used to. Regardless of that, she's a Tennessee legend through and through, and her impact on the Vols community will never be forgotten. Come Saturday vs. Furman, look for the Vols to put on a show, with a (hopefully) blowout win on the way to also honor Parton and her family.
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