The Tennessee Volunteers opened their 2026 season on Saturday at home with a matchup against the Furman Paladins.
Throughout the game, the Vols paid tribute to one of Tennessee’s favorite daughters, Dolly Parton, who passed away at the age of 80 in August. While the players on the field sported helmet decals in Parton’s honor, it was far from the only celebration they gave her on Saturday.
Tennessee introduced the Dolly Parton karaoke camera for several songs throughout the game. Her legendary hit “I Will Always Love You” produced a magical scene.
“I Will Always Love You” ringing loud during the break with 102 thousand singing their hearts out #Vols pic.twitter.com/Z5IE8W6hjn
— Sam Granville (@samgranvilletv) September 5, 2026
The Tennessee marching band, The Pride of the Southland, also got in on the action.
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Later, the Volunteers played another Parton hit, “My Tennessee Mountain Home,” as the stadium song heading into the fourth quarter.
Tennessee’s fourth-quarter tribute to Dolly Parton: “My Tennessee Mountain Home” (as expected) with plenty of highlights through the years.
Perfection. 🦋 pic.twitter.com/KD1vupyBkv
— Jake Nichols (@jnichols_2121) September 5, 2026
Tennessee revealed the “My Tennessee Mountain Home” package in a social media post on Friday night. While it’s unclear if it will remain the fourth-quarter song through the rest of the season, it sure should be.
Our Tennessee Home 🦋#GBO 🍊 pic.twitter.com/Ej4ktxFlEY
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) September 4, 2026
Fans across college football loved the tributes to Dolly.
I love it. ❤️Dolly and East Tennessee! https://t.co/dnZkFJhVur
— Alan Levine (@alevine014) September 5, 2026
This is going to hit so hard during a tight SEC night game. https://t.co/9p38AE5Vfe
— Andy Staples (@AndyStaples) September 5, 2026
This sport will outlast efforts to ruin it https://t.co/M1jazkYCdv
— Lorenzo Cortes ✈️ (@Hoyatexas) September 5, 2026
Rest in peace, Dolly Parton. College football will be celebrating you all year.
About Tyler Lauletta
Tyler is a editorial contributor at Awful Announcing, with previous stops at Sports Illustrated and Business Insider during his career covering sports in digital media. He is, begrudgingly, a Truster of the Process and general Philly sports sicko.