RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Dolly Parton loved herself some University of Tennessee football, and the Volunteers are returning the love by honoring the late music icon, who died Aug. 25 at 80, with a commemorative helmet sticker that every Vols player will wear for the entire upcoming season.
Head coach Josh Heupel confirmed the team’s plans to honor Dolly Parton with the special helmet sticker, which the football team’s social media account revealed to be an orange butterfly inscribed with the “Jolene” singer’s “Dolly” signature.
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“All that she’s meant across the world, this country, and certainly the Queen of East Tennessee,” Heupel said, per ESPN , on Monday. “A lady that was extremely proud of her roots. You look at her impact, just her ability to give back, make an impact to people, certainly here in East Tennessee. She means a lot to people across this country, but certainly here inside the state of Tennessee, too.”
For Dolly. 🦋 A commemorative helmet sticker will be worn to honor Dolly Parton for every game this season. pic.twitter.com/A1mBw9ZqxZ
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) August 31, 2026
Dolly Parton was a Vol at heart. The Grammy-winning artist delivered the university’s commencement for the class of 2009, her tours made stops on campus multiple times and she received an honorary doctorate from the school.
Parton also led the Vols’ signature “Rocky Top” performance between quarters of the football team’s 2023 match-up against the University of Georgia at Neyland Stadium. She was accompanied on the field by none other than former NFL MVP and Super Bowl-winning quarterback Peyton Manning, who is an alum of UT and Volunteer royalty.
The Volunteers open their 2026 football season with a match-up against Furman on Saturday (Sept. 5) at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.
Parton died at 80 years old on Aug. 25 following a brief battle with cancer. She was laid to rest in a private ceremony surrounded by close family in Nashville on Friday (Aug. 28) and buried next to her late husband, Carl Dean, who passed away in 2025.
Millions of fans in mourning led to a surge in streaming for Parton’s catalog, which resulted in five songs entering the Billboard Hot 100 dated Sept. 5. “Jolene” re-enters at No. 18, while “I Always Will Love You” debuts at No. 27.
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