University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Score With Children at Atlanta Hospital
December 29, 2003 | Football
Dec. 29, 2003
ATLANTA - Tennessee won't take the field in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl until Friday, but the Vols are already winners in the eyes of several Atlanta-area youngsters.
Head coach Phillip Fulmer and 19 Tennessee players visited patients at Children's Health Care of Atlanta's hospital at Scottish Rite.
"Everybody has heroes and as the players go through the hospital, they see that they're heroes to a lot of little kids here," said Tonja Bridges, the hospital's public relations manager. "This means so much to the children and to the parents as well."
The visit was also beneficial for the players.
"I see the players' eyes light up as much as the little kids'," Fulmer said. "I think this just reinforces some of the good things about college football, and how the players are able to share with the fans not just on the field but in the community."
The players encountered several Vols' fans and even a University of Tennessee graduate, Chris Brisendine of Marietta, Ga. Brisendine's 10-month-old daughter, Kellyn, is a hospital patient.
Linebacker Kevin Burnett said the outing gave him a sense of perspective.
"It made me feel really fortunate," Burnett said. "You see some of these kids and you think, `Wow, I'm really blessed to be healthy and able to go out and play football.'"
"Just knowing you made someone happy makes you feel good," said defensive end Parys Haralson.
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