Vols Jersey Countdown #80

June 12, 2012

#80

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
Eric Parker
Wide Receiver (1997-2001)

In four seasons at Tennessee, Eric Parker played in 42 games, catching 64 passes for 829 yards and three touchdowns. He also returned 107 punts a total of 930 yards and one score. His most productive season came in 1999 when he posted career highs with 30 catches for 411 yards, as well as 41 punts for 387 yards, including a 69-yard return for a touchdown against Memphis that year. Parker would later play six seasons for the San Diego Chargers in the NFL. He started 40 of the 62 games in which he played, accumulating 187 catches for 2,586 yards and 11 touchdowns.

WHY I WORE THE NUMBER
Vic Dingus
Defensive End (1967-69)

"I chose 80 because it was previously wore by Bobby Frazier who was an All-SEC defensive end and my freshman coach. In those days we had freshman teams. The number seemed simple but whole and total. I tried to live up to the number and play with energy and power. The number was the first in the *0 series and I strived to be the very best I could. My greatest thrill was to start in the Orange Bowl, Jan 1, 1968 on National TV. We lost the game by a field goal. I had a good game, looking forward to my Junior year. When called out in practice or for any activity, I got to go first and that was good for me. I tried to make a positive impression."

WHY I WORE THE NUMBER
Rodney Ruth
Wide Receiver (1992)

"I wore number 80 because of Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice. Playing wide receiver at Wide Receiver U and wearing number 80 for the Big Orange was an honor and privilege."

FAN FAVORITE 80s
Tweet @Vol_Football to let us know who your favorite player to wear No. 80 with the Vols was.

ALL-TIME 80s

Kenneth Pruett - 1947-50

Bob Cloninger - 1951-53

Keith Drummond - 1954-55

Carl Hannah - 1956-57

Charlie Severance - 19

David Duke - 1959

Jack Watson - 1960

Glenn Gray - 1963-65

Vic Dingus - 1967-69

Doug Jarboe - 1970-72

Charles Anderson - 1973

Russ Neal - 1974

John Behrens - 1975-76

Mike E. Cofer - 1979-81

Laron Brown - 1983-84

Terry Scott - 1985

Kennard McGuire - 1987

Anthony Morgan - 1988-90

Rodney Ruth - 1992

Billy Williams - 1993-94

Greg Kyler - 1995-96

Eric Parker - 1997-2001

Sudan Ellington - 2002

Omar Harris - 2003

Britton Colquitt - 2004

Jeff Cottam - 2006-09

Matt Milton - 2010

Corey Miller - 2011

For the most up-to-date information about Tennessee football, visit UTSports.com/football or follow us on Twitter @Vol_Football.

Tennessee will open the 2012 campaign at the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game against North Carolina State at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 31. To purchase tickets, visit UTTix.com or call the Tennessee ticket office at 1-800-332-VOLS.

University of Tennessee Athletics

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