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Vols fans have no room to complain after ESPN selected Candace Parker as celebrity guest picker when "College GameDay" comes to Knoxville on Sept. 13 for No. 15 Tennessee hosting No. 3 Georgia.
Parker is a Lady Vols legend and widely considered one of the best women's basketball players of all time. But it was the benevolent Peyton Manning who eliminated Parker from the first round of our bracket-style voting competition to see who Tennessee fans wanted on the show.
Manning made it all the way to the finals, but the Sheriff fell victim to the Queen. Dolly Parton, whose songs are the subject of another bracket-style competition happening now at knoxnews.com, received 70% of the vote in the final round.
If Parton ever gets back to Knoxville, let's hope for a better sound setup than the 2023 Georgia game when her rendition of "Rocky Top" was overpowered by the noise inside Neyland Stadium.
Parton beat Tony Vitello in the first round of voting and then beat Eric Berry, who fans selected over Kelsea Ballerini. Fellow country music artist Kenny Chesney was knocked out by Dalton Knecht, who fell to Manning in Round 2 to set up the Sherriff vs. Queen finals.
Also in the final round, we added a bonus question asking readers for their suggestions: Was there anyone we missed?
You delivered. Here are some of the notable suggestions.
A West Tennessee native and East Tennessee football hero who helped lead the Vols to their 1998 national championship as captain. Also selected five times for the NFL Pro Bowl, this sounds like a legit pick to me.
"The EST" of WWE, with one of the fastEST, rises in pro wrestling history, Bianca Belair was already tapped for the show back in 2022. But we would love to see the Knoxville native back!
Okurrr?
The UT Chancellor has led the university through transformational change in recent years, growing enrollment and retention in record-breaking fashion with an intense focus on student success. Plowman is a respected name in higher education.
We would if we could!
He's the mayor of Knox County and known around the world for his Hall of Fame career in the WWE. Pat McAfee is a WWE announcer and "College GameDay" contributor, so this wouldn't be far-fetched.
Of course, this longtime Knox News columnist has our vote, but we need to know who made this nomination (not totally convinced it wasn't John).
This Knoxville native might be the only person who could top Pat McAfee jumping into the Tennessee River on "College GameDay." I don't know how the "Jackass" star would top it, but I wouldn't test him.
Beyond his athleticism and contributions to Tennessee football as quarterback, Josh Dobbs earned extra respect from Vols fans for his notable academic success and his character on and off the field.
He's from Memphis. You know that's like six hours away, right?
This is just Glenn Jacobs but masked, aka "The Big Red Machine."
The Lady Vols basketball coach was passed the torch in 2024 to extend the legacy of the historic program.
It's a good problem: Why Kim Caldwell's pace has slowed down for Lady Vols basketball
More suggestions came in for Leanne Morgan than anyone else. In fact, the Knoxville comedian with a new Netflix sitcom, "Leanne," commented to Knox News on Instagram: "Keep me in mind for next year! Go Vols!!!!"
The country music megastar took over Neyland Stadium in epic fashion last year for two sold-out shows. Unfortunately, he's touring in Canada this weekend.
Lol we get it, but maybe next year (fingers crossed)!
Vols fans owe a lot to the former head coach and athletics director. While Tennessee fans basked in the glory of beating Alabama at Neyland back in 2022, nothing has quite topped that 1998 feeling.
A weird one, but timely. In case you missed it, Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton presented Pope Leo XIV with a customized No. 14 Vols jersey when he visited the Vatican on Sept. 3
How much does Tennessee love its men's basketball coach? How about a lifetime contract?
Just as Candace Parker could be considered one of the best women's basketball players ever, Tamika Catchings is most definitely in that same conversation as a fellow former Lady Vols standout.
She's tying the knot, and most of her ties are in Nashville. But she has performed in Knoxville and recently was here for a wedding. Tennessee is the state's school, so we'll allow it. This would be the ultimate get for ESPN.
Ryan Wilusz is the business growth and development editor. Phone 865-317-5138. Email [email protected]. Instagram @knoxscruff
Support strong local journalism by subscribing to subscribe.knoxnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: 'College GameDay' gets Candace Parker, but Dolly Parton tops fan vote
Continue reading...
Parker is a Lady Vols legend and widely considered one of the best women's basketball players of all time. But it was the benevolent Peyton Manning who eliminated Parker from the first round of our bracket-style voting competition to see who Tennessee fans wanted on the show.
Manning made it all the way to the finals, but the Sheriff fell victim to the Queen. Dolly Parton, whose songs are the subject of another bracket-style competition happening now at knoxnews.com, received 70% of the vote in the final round.
If Parton ever gets back to Knoxville, let's hope for a better sound setup than the 2023 Georgia game when her rendition of "Rocky Top" was overpowered by the noise inside Neyland Stadium.
Parton beat Tony Vitello in the first round of voting and then beat Eric Berry, who fans selected over Kelsea Ballerini. Fellow country music artist Kenny Chesney was knocked out by Dalton Knecht, who fell to Manning in Round 2 to set up the Sherriff vs. Queen finals.
Also in the final round, we added a bonus question asking readers for their suggestions: Was there anyone we missed?
You delivered. Here are some of the notable suggestions.
Al Wilson
A West Tennessee native and East Tennessee football hero who helped lead the Vols to their 1998 national championship as captain. Also selected five times for the NFL Pro Bowl, this sounds like a legit pick to me.
Bianca Belair
"The EST" of WWE, with one of the fastEST, rises in pro wrestling history, Bianca Belair was already tapped for the show back in 2022. But we would love to see the Knoxville native back!
Cardi B
Okurrr?
Donde Plowman
The UT Chancellor has led the university through transformational change in recent years, growing enrollment and retention in record-breaking fashion with an intense focus on student success. Plowman is a respected name in higher education.
'GIVE US DOLLY PARTON'
We would if we could!
Glenn Jacobs
He's the mayor of Knox County and known around the world for his Hall of Fame career in the WWE. Pat McAfee is a WWE announcer and "College GameDay" contributor, so this wouldn't be far-fetched.
John Adams
Of course, this longtime Knox News columnist has our vote, but we need to know who made this nomination (not totally convinced it wasn't John).
Johnny Knoxville
This Knoxville native might be the only person who could top Pat McAfee jumping into the Tennessee River on "College GameDay." I don't know how the "Jackass" star would top it, but I wouldn't test him.
Joshua Dobbs
Beyond his athleticism and contributions to Tennessee football as quarterback, Josh Dobbs earned extra respect from Vols fans for his notable academic success and his character on and off the field.
Justin Timberlake
He's from Memphis. You know that's like six hours away, right?
Kane
This is just Glenn Jacobs but masked, aka "The Big Red Machine."
Kim Caldwell
The Lady Vols basketball coach was passed the torch in 2024 to extend the legacy of the historic program.
It's a good problem: Why Kim Caldwell's pace has slowed down for Lady Vols basketball
Leanne Morgan
More suggestions came in for Leanne Morgan than anyone else. In fact, the Knoxville comedian with a new Netflix sitcom, "Leanne," commented to Knox News on Instagram: "Keep me in mind for next year! Go Vols!!!!"
Morgan Wallen
The country music megastar took over Neyland Stadium in epic fashion last year for two sold-out shows. Unfortunately, he's touring in Canada this weekend.
"No, just Dolly"
Lol we get it, but maybe next year (fingers crossed)!
Phillip Fulmer
Vols fans owe a lot to the former head coach and athletics director. While Tennessee fans basked in the glory of beating Alabama at Neyland back in 2022, nothing has quite topped that 1998 feeling.
The Pope
A weird one, but timely. In case you missed it, Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton presented Pope Leo XIV with a customized No. 14 Vols jersey when he visited the Vatican on Sept. 3
Rick Barnes
How much does Tennessee love its men's basketball coach? How about a lifetime contract?
Tamika Catchings
Just as Candace Parker could be considered one of the best women's basketball players ever, Tamika Catchings is most definitely in that same conversation as a fellow former Lady Vols standout.
Taylor Swift
She's tying the knot, and most of her ties are in Nashville. But she has performed in Knoxville and recently was here for a wedding. Tennessee is the state's school, so we'll allow it. This would be the ultimate get for ESPN.
Ryan Wilusz is the business growth and development editor. Phone 865-317-5138. Email [email protected]. Instagram @knoxscruff
Support strong local journalism by subscribing to subscribe.knoxnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: 'College GameDay' gets Candace Parker, but Dolly Parton tops fan vote
Continue reading...
