University of Tennessee Athletics
Seven Questions with the '07 Newcomers ??? Anthony Anderson
August 05, 2007 | Football
Height: 6-0
Weight: 175
Hometown: Knoxville
High School: Austin-East
Why didn???t you want to go away from home for college?
???My uncle went to school here, and he passed away when I was a junior in high school. A month later they offered me a scholarship. Just knowing that he went here and would have loved to see me play was a big part of my decision. My grandma never missed one of my games when I was younger and in high school, so I want her to be able to see me play, too.???
Your dad is in city government here. How has that been growing up?
???People see it as me having to be good because it reflects on my father, but I take it on myself. I???m going to be a well-mannered person because it reflects on me.???
Is college Knoxville different than high school Knoxville?
???I???ve always seen the campus and all of the orange and thought about that. My family lives out on the east side of town, so I don???t see them a lot. It is like a college atmosphere, but I still have in the back of my mind that I am at home. It???s different, but in a comfortable way.???
You also played basketball and ran track in high school. Which of the three sports was your favorite?
???Football. I started playing when I was seven and have loved it ever since. My mom always asks me why I play a sport where I get tackled, but I like the idea of seeing guys chase after me.???
Who have you gotten to know on the team?
???It has mostly been other freshmen, Chris Donald, Chris Walker, Denarius Moore. One of the older guys I have gotten to know is Inky Johnson. He is always around and getting to know the new players. He is a big inspiration. He has made it clear we can go to him.???
What are your fears?
???I???m afraid of letting my peers or my family down: Not playing to my potential, not taking care of my schoolwork, doing things I shouldn???t be doing.???
You have a cell phone case that prominently features the Sesame Street character Elmo. What???s the story behind it?
???It was kind of an impulse buy. I really loved Elmo when I was a kid. I pretty much bought it because I would have wanted to have it when I was younger.???
By Tony Williams, UT Sports Information
