Knoxville holds a history, a culture and a tradition like no other.
Memories young and old haunt every street corner, every building and every home. At the center of it all is Neyland Stadium and UT’s football program.
David Stanley’s induction as a Vol for Life began at a young age. His dad and grandfather were both Vol fans, immersing him in the culture of the Orange and White from his early childhood to his years as a student at UT. His decision to join the football program was simple.
As a senior defensive end for the South Doyle High School Cherokees, Stanley had received several letters from UT inviting him to attend the university. After observing one of the Vols’ practices in the spring of 1998, he unknowingly committed to one of the greatest teams in Tennessee football history.
From the fall of 1998 to the summer of 2000, Stanley was a part of the legend that is UT football. Under the guidance of former defensive coordinator John Chavis and in the company of NFL greats Shawn Ellis, Will Overstreet and many others, Stanley was a small fish in a big pond, but he was in that position during the few years when it all really mattered.
The Knoxville native walked onto a National Championship team, and he has the ring to prove it.
“I can’t believe I walked on the year we actually won,” he said, shaking his head. “I can’t believe we actually went and we won the game.”
That year, the team flew to Tempe, Ariz., to beat Florida State 23-16 in the 1998 National Championship. Stanley flew out for the game but never had a chance to play. He watched the game from the stands with his dad.
“There’s times in your life when you have sweet moments with your dad and that was one of them,” he said. “That’s what I remember. Being there together, winning the championship, we’ve always watched football together. It’s just one of those moments that I’ll remember forever.”
Looking back, Stanley said he never really fully grasped how incredible his experience at UT was. Whether he was running through the “T” at Neyland Stadium or sitting in the stands with his dad watching his team win a national title, the experience didn’t register until years later.
“It was just crazy,” Stanley said. “I don’t think I ever realized how big of a deal it was.”
But life wasn’t just about football. During college, Stanley was busy investing in his campus ministry, Volunteers for Life, and falling in love with his future wife, Emily Lewis. He even had a little time for school.
“I actually did go to class. I went to all my classes,” he said. “I wasn’t the smartest guy, but I would work hard and study and go to every class.”
The logistics and transportation major said that while college life was fun and the memories are lasting, he loves his life now as a husband, father of three and businessman. He said he loves his job as a commercial real-estate appraiser and couldn’t living anywhere but Knoxville.
“I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else,” he said. “This is where I went to college, where all my friends are and this is where my mom is. You have to stay for your mom. … East Tennessee is where it’s at.
“All my brothers graduated from (UT) and I just grew up living and breathing Tennessee.”
Stanley said everything from the culture to the geography beauty of Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains keeps him in town year after year. He said it’s really the culture that he has grown to love.
“There’s nothing like on a Saturday doing some charcoal barbecue and throwing the football with your boys,” he said.
For Stanley, being a Vol isn’t about being a fan or being an athlete, it’s about family and the memories and moments that will never be forgotten.
