Hendon Hooker Details One Wish From His Dad in Tennessee-Alabama Game

Hendon Hooker was on tempo to turn out to be a Heisman Trophy contender months into the faculty soccer season.

That’s till Tennessee quarterback suffered a season-ending torn ACL damage within the Vols’ 63–38 loss to South Carolina on Nov. 19, ending his run at considered one of faculty soccer’s most coveted awards and gashing the Volunteers hopes at Faculty Soccer Playoff look.

However previous to Hooker’s magical season coming to an finish, the Volunteers had been as soon as undefeated main as much as their SEC conflict with faculty soccer powerhouse Alabama at Neyland Stadium. Earlier than Tennessee’s 52-49 win that evening Alabama on a wobbly 40-yard game-winning subject aim, the Volunteers had not defeated the Crimson Tide since Mike Shula was nonetheless teaching at Alabama and Phillip Fulmer was roaming Tennessee’s sideline.

Nonetheless, Hooker was decided to defy the percentages and ship his father, Alan, the proper birthday want. In a latest letter in The Gamers’ Tribune, Hooker revealed that the sport on Oct. 15 coincided with Alan’s birthday.

As an alternative of getting his son clear his dad’s home, Alan’s want for Hendon was easy. “I would like that W for my birthday. I would like that win,” Hendon recalled his dad telling him.

In trying to recall his favourite second from the legendary mid-October matchup, Hendon stated it was tough to decide on. However the one second he’ll always remember is the one the place coach Josh Heupel requested him if he needed to take the sport to additional time or win it in regulation.

“Let’s go finish it proper now, Coach. I’m HUNGRY,” Hendon stated he instructed his coach .

When McGrath transformed the game-winning subject aim, Hooker discovered his dad and mom. His mother, Wendy, was crying “large outdated tears” however he instantly instructed her to dry them up saying, “we are able to’t be ugly on TV. We gotta tighten up.” As for Alan, Hendon instructed him, “Completely happy birthday.”

“I’ve by no means felt so proud after a sport,” Hendon wrote.

He completed 21-of-30 for 385 yards, 5 touchdowns and one interception within the Vols first win towards the Crimson Tide since 2006. The fifth-year senior ended the ’22 season with 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns and two interceptions whereas dashing for 430 yards and 5 scores on the bottom.