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It's not just what they are saying, but how they are saying it

by Tony Basilio

You've seen the ultimate in cheeseball television—Kids Say The Darnedest Things. Well, here's an idea for a new kind of pilot. The formula: You take a football program that's used to elite status and is now mired in mediocrity. Throw in a collection of out-of-control, wishy-washy Big Orange fans, and you've got Boosters Say The Darnedest Things. Welcome to Tennessee football 2003 style. In actuality, though, this is Tennessee football anytime the team is not playing up to often unrealistic expectations.

The Georgia loss is bringing out the worst in some Vol boosters. Perhaps it was the fact that barring a late TD pass from CJ Leak, Tennessee would've enjoyed its worst home loss in close to 100 years. That's saying something. And, by the way, something else is being said. A pattern is developing here that is so simple to read, it could be a play in Tennessee's playbook. To explain the feeding frenzy in Rocky Top, one needs not look any further than last year.

Exhibit A: Kelley Washington. You heard the rumors. You know the charges. In case you don't, Kelley Washington, who once called himself 'The Future' in an ill-fated E$PN story, was getting smeared by some of Tennessee's finest. I personally received countless calls from great so-called 'sources' as to the misbehavior of the Vol star. He was, according to some in the fan base and community, a common criminal.

One source told me that Kelley had been caught robbing a convenience store. This person had an elaborate description of an incident which depicted Washington caught on film as he pranced away from a Pilot store with a wad of cash. Or how about this one from another wonderful font of truisms! Washington, it was told to me in the stealth secrecy of a midnight phone call, had just been identified for sexually assaulting a teen in Union County. This caller even had the name of an elected official in those parts who was livid that 'authorities' were not pursuing the case because Washington was a star athlete.

Making matters worse, a local Knoxville rag threw fuel to the fire alleging that a star UT athlete was about to be charged with a blockbuster crime, perhaps sexual assault. Of course, none of this turned out to be true. Why would UT fans concoct and repeat and re-repeat nonsense of this ilk? Lies that are slanderous and absurd from the get-go, trash that can be very damaging and poisonous to not only reputation, but to psyche and heart. Why would some UT fans do this? Well, Kelley Washington wasn't playing, and Tennessee fans needed an explanation as to why. Which brings me to the pattern.

Talk to any beat reporter for Tennessee's football team and ask them how many personally disparaging and potential "bombshells" they are approached with a couple of days after a Tennessee loss. One beat reporter who covers UT tells me that he "constantly" gets "tips from livid Vol fans with vivid imaginations." He went on to tell me that it's funny how others on the beat are always approached by these so-called sources with similar stories.

Where do people come up with the time to make up this crap? And now, predictably, after two ugly Tennessee losses, these same people are rearing their ugly heads. Only this time there seems to be more rumormongers. Everyone, it seems, is getting into the act. And now the target is quite large in stature. Tennessee Head Coach Phillip Fulmer. Of course, you know that Tennessee has lost 6 of its last 7 games versus top 25 teams. This is the worst stretch in UT football in over two decades. The program is certainly heading in the wrong direction. So what's a helpless Vol fan to do? Watch the team go down the tubes without putting up a fight? Of course not. Hey, here's an idea! Create some rumors designed to destroy the formerly loved, now despised head coach. You've surely heard all the shameful rumors about Phillip Fulmer flying around town. In case you haven't, don't worry. I don't deal in garbage like that.

I was talking with someone who has been a member of the sports media in this town for over two decades, and he told me that he's never seen "stronger rumors than the ones swirling around about Coach Fulmer." I must say that he is right. In my 10-plus years on the air, after fielding countless anonymous "agenda calls" after UT losses, I've never seen anything like this. It's not just what they are saying, but it's how they are saying it and who is saying it. Say it enough, and it has to be true, right? People who want Phillip Fulmer gone will say anything to make it happen. Who cares if you besmirch his reputation and that of the program in the process? The important thing is to get a new coach here so we can win baby win!

It's really disgusting to consider the depths that one human being will go to in order to destroy another's reputation. Why? Because Tennessee isn't winning to your level! Because no one else in this town in my business has the guts to say this, I will speak to all of you agents of destruction. Quit calling me! Quit calling us! Oh, and grow up. And get off the coach's back. He deserves far better than the way you people are doing him. And now a word for the rest of you: Put yourself in the coach's shoes before you speak to spread this junk. Oh, and Go Vols!

Tune in and talk sports with "The Tony Basilio Show" each weekday from 3-6 p.m. on the network (670 WMTY-AM, 850 WKVL-AM, 1140 WLOD-AM, 1290 WATO-AM, or 1400 WGAP-AM).