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Majors an ambassador for Hillcrest
Former University of Tennessee football coach Johnny Majors signs an autograph for an excited Julia Massey at a lunch for the Hillcrest-Beverly Foundation’s Ambassadors Program, for which Massey is the chairwoman.
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Johnny Majors is recruiting a new team of volunteers, but these won't be carrying footballs.
The former University of Tennessee football coach, who recently retired to Knoxville, helped kick off the Ambassadors Program Thursday to recruit volunteers and raise funds for Knox County's four Hillcrest Healthcare long-term residential centers.
After he spoke at a luncheon, boosters for the Hillcrest-Beverly Foundation convinced Majors to tape a "Jump on the Bed" commercial, part of a campaign to raise $1.2 million for new beds at the Hillcrest centers.
Majors said he's lent his name to many charities, mostly for needy kids. He's also proud to support the Hillcrest-Beverly Foundation's efforts on behalf of the elderly.
"I'm honored to be a part of this program. Seeing poor kids and elderly people who are in bad shape really hurts, it always has," Majors said, recalling reading a recent national story about rising suicide rates among seniors.
"We all need to be appreciated. We all need to feel wanted," he said.
In a tribute to those who have gone before him, Majors entertained his audience with colorful stories of honored elders in his life, mostly his parents and UT's legendary football coach, Gen. Robert Neyland.
Majors told an amused audience that he was named for his mother, John Elizabeth Bobo, who was named for her father and grandfather. Majors probably wouldn't have wanted to be named for his father, Shirley Inman Majors. Instead, Majors' sister took her father's first name, he said.
A football standout at Lynchburg High School, Majors said his mother gave him the nudge he needed to play for UT.
"I was so small - about 150 pounds - I didn't think I could play. I couldn't imagine playing at Tennessee," he said.
The assistant coach who signed him, fearing Neyland's wrath, added a fictional 25 pounds to the young recruit's weight.
Neyland wasn't fooled, said Majors. Neyland revealed he knew the truth, but only after Majors ran away with the football, making a 10-yard break in a practice scrimmage.
"It was one of the happiest moments of my life," he recalled. Sprinting to a drugstore telephone, Majors called home to report his small success, a memory so sweet it still brings tears to his eyes, he said.
To volunteer for or contribute to the Hillcrest-Beverly Foundation, write 5325 Beverly Park Circle, Knoxville, TN 37918 or call 865-246-4013.
Marti Davis may be reached at 865-342-6305.
© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by marc_ash on November 30, 2007 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
cool.
Posted by tngeoff on November 30, 2007 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good job Coach, welcome home and thank you for all you've done! You are a true Vol Legend!
"Majors said he's lent his name to many charities, mostly for needy kids. He's also proud to support the Hillcrest-Beverly Foundation's efforts on behalf of the elderly."
Thank you also for your heartfelt community work. You are more appreciated than you could ever know by more people than you probably realize! Keep the Faith!
Posted by Huntingdonvol on November 30, 2007 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It shows in his heart he is and always be a TENNESSEE VOL!!!!
Posted by todd on November 30, 2007 at 1:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks Coach!
Posted by tngeoff on November 30, 2007 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Huntingdonvol,
Dam right!
Posted by TommyJack on November 30, 2007 at 1:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kudos, Coach
Posted by givim6 on November 30, 2007 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
He's what legends are made of!
Posted by 55Vol on November 30, 2007 at 2 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks Coach Majors for your care and concern for those who are less fortunate than most of us.
Posted by hiresanders on November 30, 2007 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Majors is twice the man Phat Foolmore ever will be.
Posted by jdcvols on November 30, 2007 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hiresanders do you mean physically or mentally?
Posted by jawjavol on November 30, 2007 at 2:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hire: who is this Phat Foolmore you speak of? Never heard of him.
Posted by vol4jesus on November 30, 2007 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sadhiresanders is a sad little person.What else explains his willingness to take a nice article on Coach Majors and take a cheap shot at Coach Fulmer. Also I appreciate the third grade level of calling Coach by a childish name. Alas some bad dreams won't go away as much as we try to help the afflicted. Thanks Coach Majors for the good memories!!!
Posted by Voldemort on November 30, 2007 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Leave it to these three fools to take a good article about Coach Majors and use it to knock someone else. Whether you like Fulmer or not, use some sense to pick the appropriate time, place, AND ARTICLES to knock him.
Posted by jawjavol on November 30, 2007 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
vol4jesus: I don't believe hire knows that phat is actually an urban slang compliment!!! That might make him both dense AND bigotted.
Posted by rabidvolfan on November 30, 2007 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No one can tell a story like Majors, he's always been real fun to listen to. I remember how hearing his post game show would make me feel a lot better after a loss.
Posted by juicetke on November 30, 2007 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Majors jumping on a bed!!! I gotta see this. Thanks for the support, Coach.
Posted by orangebloodgmc on November 30, 2007 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Coach Majors, you need to keep reminding us that "everybody burns the biscuits now and then."
Posted by jgipson on November 30, 2007 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Johnny Majors grew up in Lynchburg and played one year of football there. But Johnny became a high school football standout at nearby Huntland High School in Franklin County.
Shirley moved Johnny and the rest of the family to Huntland during Shirley's second year as head coach after Johnny lead Moore County (Lynchburg) to a 19 - 13 victory over Huntland as a Freshman.
Once he had the Majors boys in town, Shirley went 70-1-1 over the next 8 years.
Way to go Coach!
Posted by bobbyutvol on November 30, 2007 at 3:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Class Act Glad You Are Back WELCOME HOME Coach Majors
Posted by brokebackvol on November 30, 2007 at 4:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks Coach Majors - still classy after all these years! Kudos!
Posted by dfreeman on November 30, 2007 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Voldemort - You have to admit that it's slightly funny that you are getting onto hiresanders for his just being classless! When you carry the name of "he who must not be named"!! LOL Sorry man I had to joke about the name. I do agree with you about the three stooges!!
Hiresanders - It's amazing just how DUMB you truly are!!
Posted by Voldemort on November 30, 2007 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
dfreeman,
You're right. Throwing stones with this name is asking for trouble!!!
Posted by Volfan1 on November 30, 2007 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Johnny deserves to be up there on the stadium with Manning, Atkins, and White. It's true, he isn't in the NFL Hall of Fame or All-Pro. And I know that is one of the criteria to be up there. But he dedicated his career to the COLLEGE game. I think there should be an additional clause that allows someone who is a National Coach of the Year in college football to be recognized in lieu of an NFL career. With that career accomplishment after playing for the Vols, Majors is in. Case closed.
Posted by lyons1960 on November 30, 2007 at 6:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Shows Johnny's class. UT trashed him for Phat Phil when he was in the hospital for a heart problem. He sued the University. Now they want to claim him without paying. Same ol same old gang.
Go Johnny you were just too good for the Fat guys in the tower....
Posted by tngeoff on November 30, 2007 at 7:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Man. Many posters on this with my sentiments. Great posts folks! Johnny Majors IS Tennessee Football! His family has contributed more glory and excitement to Tennessee football than any other ever. Thank you all Majors family and may God Bless those who have passed on. Why don't you all post some of your favorite Majors memories here to offset the bitter vile that has been seen here over the past season. Mine? The Penn Stae game when we Honored the entire Majors family and Bobby had the game of a lifetime spanking the # 2 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions with Lydell Mitchell and Franco Harris in the same backfield. Second favorite? Sugar Vols! Now, watch a couple of vulgar folks come on here and post trash.
Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on November 30, 2007 at 7:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If Jesus himself descended from heaven down to Neyland stadium to watch a Tennessee football game I think some "fans" would find a way to complain about it or trash an article about it.
You losers need to get a life.
Posted by Volfan1 on November 30, 2007 at 9:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
AMEN! VOLINLSU, you pegged it.
Posted by WCT59 on December 2, 2007 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Majors is a man, unlike Fat-Boy. Fulmer absolutely stuck a knife in Major's back. ET Tu Fat Phil. Your coachind days in Knoxville will be numbered, Tubby.
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