 Classic SI photo by Bob Rosato |
Titanic
When Kevin Dyson dashed 75 yards down the sideline on a kickoff return to lift the Tennessee Titans to a last-second 22-16 victory over the Buffalo Bills in the 2000 AFC wild-card playoff game, it instantly went down as one of the most thrilling endings in NFL history. The stunning play even got its own nickname: The Music City Miracle.
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FACES IN THE CROWD |
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Wilma Rudolph Clarksville
Feb. 2, 1959 -- Wilma Rudolph, a student at Tennessee A&I, led schoolmates to sweep of four top spots in 50-yard dash at national AAU indoor track and field championships in the Washington Armory.
Career highlight: Three time gold medalist at 1960 Olympics.
Now photo by Dieter Endlicher/AP
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Ron Mercer Madison
Jan. 9, 1995 -- Ron, a 6 ft. 7 in. senior forward at Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va. scored 38 and 37 points in wins over Huguenot High and Green Valley High, respectively. A preseason selection for national Player of the Year, he was averaging 28.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists through last Friday.
Career highlight: All-America forward helped Kentucky win 1996 NCAA title.
Then photo by Kirk Hirota; Now photo by AP
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Dinah Shore Winchester
Jan. 28, 1963 -- Dinah Shore, whose southern belle song delivery can be languid as a possum, was all pizzazz as she teamed with Maurice Smith of Palm Springs to win the A flight at the 13th annual Blue Ribbon Tennis Tournament at the Racquet Club there.
Career highlight: Emmy-winning entertainer and honorary member of LPGA Hall of Fame.
Now photo by AP
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GREATEST ATHLETES |
Wilma Rudolph, Clarksville
Gold medalist at 1960 Olympics in the 100 and 200 meters, and the 4x100-meter relay.
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Pat Summitt, Henrietta
Has coached Tennessee women's basketball team to six NCAA championships and ranks second in alltime wins among women's college basketball coaches.
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Reggie White, Chattanooga
NFL career sacks leader was a 13-time All-NFL defensive end with Eagles and Packers from 1985 to '98.
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FLASHBACK |
1998: Eyes of the Storm
When Tennessee's whirlwind of a coach, Pat Summitt, hits you with her steely gaze, you get a dose of the intensity that has carried the Lady Vols to five NCAA titles
Here comes this lady into your life. You don't know that she has been up all night peeing, racked with pain in her lower back. You don't know how many people told her she was nuts to get on an airplane and fly to your hometown at a time like this.
FULL STORY
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SI COVERS |
Manhandled
The answer to the question posed on this SI cover turned out to be a resounding "Yes!", as Tennessee fell to Florida 33-20. The contest marked the Volunteers' fifth consecutive (and quarterback Peyton Manning's fourth consecutive) loss at the hands of Steve Spurrier and the Gators.
Click here to view a gallery of every Tennessee cover
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THE SI POLL |
Who do Tennesseans root for? SI asked the Volunteer State residents to weigh in* on sports.
Favorite major league baseball team
Atlanta Braves | 38% |
St. Louis Cardinals | 7% |
New York Yankees | 7% |
No favorite | 18% |
Favorite NFL team
Tennessee Titans | 57% |
Pittsburgh Steelers | 5% |
Favorite NBA team
Los Angeles Lakers | 15% |
Memphis Grizzlies | 9% |
No favorite | 44% |
Favorite NHL team
Nashville Predators | 28% |
No favorite | 46% |
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Favorite pro team
Tennessee Titans | 40% |
Atlanta Braves | 17% |
Greatest athlete who ever lived in or played for a team in your state:
Peyton Manning | 47% |
Steve McNair | 7% |
Wilma Rudolph | 5% |
Eddie George | 5% |
Favorite announcer
John Madden | 18% |
John Ward | 11% |
More a fan of college or pro sports?
Pro | 36% |
College | 30% |
Equal | 34% |
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Favorite sport to play
Golf | 20% |
Fishing | 18% |
Hiking | 12% |
Swimming | 12% |
Favorite sports to watch on TV**
Football | 81% |
Winter Olympics | 43% |
Baseball | 43% |
Summer Olympics | 42% |
Auto Racing | 40% |
**Multiple responses allowed. | |
State's biggest rival
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*Harris Interactive poll, conducted online, of 414 Tennessee residents who identified themselves as sports fans. Margin of error +/- 4.5%. |
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Sports Illustrated's 50th Anniversary |
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STATITUDES |
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20.4 Point saveraged by Chamique Holdsclaw during her four-year career at Tennessee.
22 Age at which Pat Summitt became head coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team.
100 Tons of sand used to build a beach outside Nashville Arena for the Predators' 1999 NHL draft party.
4 Number of interceptions thrown by quarterback Peyton Manning (in 380 passing attempts) as a sophomore at Tennessee.
3 Seasons (1912-14) the University of Memphis football team played before taking on a nickname.
1, 2, 3 Respective ranking on the Tennessee men's basketball all-time career scoring average list of Bernard King (25.8), Ernie Grunfeld (22.3) and Allan Houston (21.9).
75 Yards down the left sideline Tennessee Titans wideout Kevin Dyson ran on the play that would become known as "The Music City Miracle".
1966 Year that Perry Wallace of Vanderbilt became the first black basketball player in the SEC.
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ENEMY OF THE STATE |
Steve Spurrier
Despite his Volunteer State roots, former University of Florida coach Spurrier is the most overwhelming choice of any Enemy so far. Tennesseans' most hated opponents are the Florida Gators (57%), Alabama Crimson Tide (16%) and Baltimore Ravens (4%)
Steve Spurrier | 65% |
Brian Billick | 4% |
Ron Zook | 3% |
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FAST FACTS |
Admission to statehood: June 1, 1796 (16th state)
Area: 42,146 square miles
Bird: Mockingbird
Capital: Nashville
Economy: Agriculture -- Soybeans, cotton, tobacco, livestock and livestock products, dairy products, cattle, hogs. Industry -- Chemicals, transportation equipment, rubber, plastics.
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Flower: Iris (Iridaceae)
Nickname: Volunteer State
Population: 5,689,283 (16th)
Pro sports teams: Tennessee Titans (NFL), Nashville Predators (NHL), Nashville Kats (AFL)
Major college programs: Tennessee Volunteers, Tennessee Lady Vols, Memphis Tigers, Vanderbilt Commodores
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