University of Tennessee Athletics
Smokey Brightens Day at St. Jude Children's Hospital
August 22, 2018 | Cheer, Dance & Mascots
August 22, 2018 - MEMPHIS, Tenn. --Â While mascots from the Southeastern Conference are usually rivals on the gridiron, many of them came together today to be on the same team for a different kind of football game.
Smokey, every Tennessee fan's favorite costumed character, was joined by mascots from seven other SEC schools to hold a mascot football game as entertainment for the patients and their families at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis.Â
The event was hosted by SEC on CBS Sports reporter Jamie Eardahl as part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, which is recognized each year in August. The impact made from this event was felt not only by the patients and their families, but also by the administration of the hospital.
"A heartfelt thank you to Jamie Erdahl and CBS Sports for all you do for the kids of St. Jude, especially during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month," said Richard Shadyack, President & CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for the hospital. "It was great having you visit St. Jude to see first-hand how we are finding cures and saving children."
Mascots from LSU, Georgia, Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Alabama, and Missouri were also part of the mascot football game where patients not only watched the mascots, but also got to play alongside their favorite furry friends. Smokey was continually surrounded by children and their families seeking a high-five, photo, or a good laugh from the two-legged Bluetick Coonhound.Â
Today's event was one of nearly 150 annual events where Smokey represents the University of Tennessee in the community, region, and state in addition to athletic events and games on campus.
