University of Tennessee Athletics
Hammond's Rubright Helps Keep Volunteer Football Healthy
August 13, 2008 | Football
Jan. 1, 2008
If Robert Rubright were any closer to Tennessee's football program, he'd be breaking down game film, wearing a headset and calling plays from the sideline.
Singing "Rocky Top," acapella, is another story.
The 1944 Hammond High grad came to Knoxville in 1973, served as the Volunteers' team physician until he retired in 1993, and remains an integral part of the university's athletic program.
"We call him 'team physician emeritus' and he still helps us out when our team physician either has two sports going on at once or the basketball team is traveling," said Jason McVeigh, the head athletic trainer.
"Even though he's retired, he fills in at the student health center and he's working in town, giving physicals for enlisted men ready to go into training."
No. 16 Tennessee (9-4) plays No. 18 Wisconsin (9-3) in today's Outback Back at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. and Rubright will oversee medical needs for the university's "Official Party" -- 150 Tennessee administrators not associated with the football team.
A typical game, home or away, includes three athletic trainers, the team physician, a paramedic, two grad assistant trainers, two orthopedic surgeons and a chiropractor.
This is Rubright's 26th bowl and it's been a rewarding ride with no immediate end in sight.
"I didn't even know where Tennessee was when I decided to leave the Hammond Clinic in 1970. I was one of the founding members of that group and it was more than I could handle. We were working 90-hour weeks," Rubright said during a phone interview from his Maryville home.
"I came down here when primary-care sports medicine was an unknown entity."
Tennessee football is of storybook stuff when you look at what Phillip Fullmer has done in 16 seasons as head coach: 15 bowl appearances, a 146-45 record, a national title in 1998, and 90 NFL draft picks.
Fullmer makes $2.05 million annually and recently received a one-year extension through 2012. He has a 7-7 bowl record.
"We're family with those people -- the coaches, the administrators, the players," Rubright said. "In fact, they made me an honorary letterman many years ago and players will come back and ask to see me, or send me Christmas cards.
"I graduated from Indiana University Medical School -- but I wear a Tennessee letterman's ring. My bowl rings and championship rings I keep in a drawer, but I wear my letterman's ring which is kinda strange for an old man."
Don't be silly, says Jason McVeigh.
"Bob's a great guy. He's 81. Sharp as a tack. A work ethic probably better than anybody else on my staff. Just a pleasure to be around and to work with," McVeigh added.
"He's like the godfather of Tennessee football."
Last season, Fullmer presented Rubright with an autographed football commemorating his 34 years of service. Rubright's wife of 57 years, Edwena, had to wring out her handkerchief during the emotional ceremony.
Around campus, students and alumni simply refer to Edwena as "Mrs. Doc."
Among Rubright's dearest friends is NFL quarterback Peyton Manning, one of 44 Vols to have played in the Super Bowl. But don't think Rubright has forgotten those in The Region, like former classmate Bernie Krueger.
"Our roots are still there," he said. "They always will be -- even though we've been here almost 40 years."
