"The Volunteer State" Smokey Grey Series Uniform Debuts Vs. Chattanooga
Three stars that define us. Three stars that unite us. An ode to the Volunteer State.
For the first time in school history, the timeless Tennessee Tri-Star state emblem serves as the ideation behind Tennessee football’s newest Smokey Grey series uniform, “The Volunteer State.”
“The Volunteer State” uniform, an ode to the state and Tennessee’s status as the flagship university, is the second concept of the new Smokey Grey series and will be worn for the Vols' home opener vs. in-state foe Chattanooga on Aug. 31. In partnership with Nike, Tennessee announced in 2022 that it would create a new Smokey Grey uniform design each season beginning in 2023 and continuing through at least 2025.
Last year, the Vols donned the “Artful Dodger” threads as an homage to legendary VFL Condredge Holloway, the first Black player to start at quarterback for an SEC program. In 2022, Tennessee wore the “OG” Smokey grey look in a road game victory at LSU.
There are two firsts to the 2024 Smokey Grey series concept. “Tennessee” will proudly display across the chest of a home-game jersey for the first time, below the Power T. In addition, the Tri-Star logo appears on the shoulder, and the Tri-Star state mark shows on the top portion of the pants. The three stars and the Tennessee state flag white stripe also make up the unique pant design.
The three white stars that comprise the logo represent the three grand divisions of Tennessee: West, Middle and East. The white circle bounds them together in one—an indissoluble trinity.
The helmets feature the familiar orange Power T and a mountain design in shades of grey that pays tribute to Tennessee’s famous Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Similar to the side of the pants, the center helmet stripe is orange and adjoined with the Tennessee state flag white stripe. A Smokey Grey face mask ties everything together.
Tennessee’s in-house creative agency, 151 Creative, worked in conjunction with the UT equipment staff and Nike to create the new uniforms. VFL Films and the football creative team’s launch of the “Volunteer State” uniform featured a brand campaign with familiar landmarks across the state, including Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, Tri-Cities and Knoxville.
“Volunteer State” Smokey Grey merchandise is out now on shop.utsports.com.
The next iteration in the Smokey Grey Series …
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) July 13, 2024
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