The Tennessee Volunteers football team honored the late Dolly Parton during their 2026 season opener at Neyland Stadium. A capacity crowd of 102,000 fans joined in a collective rendition of Parton's 1974 hit, "I Will Always Love You."
The tribute extended to the players, with orange butterfly decals featuring Parton's name adorning the back of every Volunteers helmet. Head coach Josh Heupel confirmed that these decals will remain on the helmets for the entire season. "All that she's meant across the world, this country, and certainly the Queen of East Tennessee," Heupel stated, referencing Parton's deep connection to the state. "A lady that was extremely proud of her roots. You look at her impact, just her ability to give back, make an impact to people, certainly here in East Tennessee. She means a lot to people across this country, but certainly here inside the state of Tennessee, too."
During the game against the Furman Paladins, the traditional fourth-quarter song, typically Morgan Wallen's "The Way I Talk," was replaced by Parton's "My Tennessee Mountain Home." This change signals a potential new tradition, reflecting the reverence many in Tennessee hold for the singer, songwriter, and philanthropist.
Dolly Parton, a Grammy-winning artist whose career spanned over six decades, was a significant cultural figure, particularly in her home state of Tennessee. Her influence extended across music, film, and philanthropy.