Tennessee football team to honor Dolly Parton during 2026 season: Here’s how

Tennessee football will be honoring the late Dolly Parton with a helmet sticker patch for the Vols’ first game.
Tennessee football will be honoring the late Dolly Parton with a helmet sticker patch for the Vols’ first game.
Published: Aug. 31, 2026 at 11:27 AM CDT|Updated: Aug. 31, 2026 at 11:50 AM CDT

What This Story Is About

  • Tennessee football will be honoring the late Dolly Parton with a helmet sticker patch for the Vols’ first game.

Why It Matters

What Happens Next

  • Tennessee kicks off against Furman Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

Catch Up

  • Motivated by her history of philanthropy and generosity, people from not just the region but across the world paid respects to the Queen of East Tennessee.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Tennessee football will be honoring the late Dolly Parton with a helmet sticker patch for the Vols’ first game.

Coach Josh Heupel confirmed the tribute during a Monday news conference, opening his remarks with a tribute to the country legend.

“All that she’s meant across the world, the country, and certainly the queen of East Tennessee,” he said. “Her ability to give back, make an impact, to people here in East Tennessee. We’ll be wearing a sticker patch on the back of our helmets to represent everything she means here in East Tennessee.”

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Tennessee kicks off against Furman Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

The news of the Dolly tribute is the latest that came after Dolly’s death was announced Tuesday. Motivated by her history of philanthropy and generosity, people from not just the region but across the world paid respects to the Queen of East Tennessee.