A closer look at Tennessee's 'Artful Dodger' alternate uniform
Tennessee football is honoring a program legend with its newest version of the Smokey Grey alternate uniform. The Vols announced on social media on Monday morning that the Vols will wear new-look grey uniforms that honor former Tennessee quarterback Condredge Holloway.
The Vols (1-0) host Austin Peay (0-1) on Saturday (5 p.m. Eastern Time, ESPN+/SEC Network+), marking 51 years to the day that Holloway became the first Black starting quarterback in the Southeastern Conference.
The new Smokey Grey alternate pays homage to Holloway with orange around the neck and shoulders of the jersey, a silver facemark with a thinner orange helmet stripe and two orange stripes on the pants, all from the Tennessee uniform worn during the Holloway era. There’s also a new white trim around the orange jersey numbers to go with the Smokey Grey pants and helmet.
The new look was modeled by Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III, who wears Holloway’s No. 7 jersey. The announcement included a video, narrated by former Tennessee receiver Larry Seivers, that featured Milton wearing the uniform while seated next to Holloway.
“What make a man a legend?” Seivers asks in the video.“ Is it courage? The unyielding spirit that smashes barriers, pushes boundaries and drives change? Or passion, a love for the game. A fire so fierce that not even an ER visit could douse. A fire that ignited a path for change, the drive to propel the game forward and witness transformation. A purpose. It’s not just a journey. It’s a legacy. A legacy that defies the ordinary, the redefines what’s possible.
“It’s a fusion of these and more. A man embracing orange and white. Sacrificing all for the cherished program. A living embodiment of Tennessee football. Becoming a legend isn’t one moment, but a journey of boldness, passion and purpose. He is the Artful Dodger.”
Holloway, a native of Huntsville, Ala., played three seasons at Tennessee, from 1972 to 1974, passed for 3,102 yards and 18 touchdowns. He ran 351 times for 966 yards and nine more touchdowns on the ground, giving him 4,608 total yards and 27 total touchdowns as he starred for the Vols.
He passed for 1,149 yards and 10 touchdowns in 11 games in 1973 and 1,146 yards and five touchdowns in 1974. He made his debut in 1972, throwing for 807 yards and three touchdowns.
He rushed for 266 yards and three touchdowns in 1972, 433 yards and four touchdowns in 1973 and 267 yards and two touchdowns in 1974.
Holloway went on to play 13 seasons in the Canadian football League, passing for 25,193 yards and 155 touchdowns and rushing for 3,167 yards and 13 touchdowns.
