While it’s been decades since Tennessee football was nationally and authentically relevant, the tailgating scene in Knoxville hasn’t missed a beat.
And, on its own, that sentiment tracks, to a degree. Regardless of the on-field product, folks will always enjoy the pregame party. Family, friends, food, with the football sustaining, at times, as the “effect,” following the tailgate’s lead as the “cause.” Oh, yeah. And then there’s the beer. Lots and lots of beer. One might say there’s boat loads of beer, even.
The appeal derived from the combination of factors mentioned above is rather ubiquitous and certainly not unique to the South, to Tennessee or to fans of Volunteer football.