The University of Tennessee made sure Dolly Parton was remembered in a place fit for a Tennessee icon.
Videos by FanBuzz
The Volunteers paid tribute to Parton at Neyland Stadium with several touching displays honoring the country music legend and East Tennessee native.
Before Tennessee's game, the Pride of the Southland Band performed a musical tribute to Parton, with the marching band forming her name in enormous letters across the field. The tribute included some of the singer's best-known music, while images of Parton were displayed throughout the stadium.
The SEC Network shared video of the scene, which offered quite a view from above.
Honoring a legend in Neyland 🧡 pic.twitter.com/k9Txl3sTDh
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) September 5, 2026
Another video from Neyland showed fans taking part in the remembrance as the stadium honored a woman whose connection to Tennessee went far beyond music.
“I Will Always Love You” ringing loud during the break with 102 thousand singing their hearts out #Vols pic.twitter.com/Z5IE8W6hjn
— Sam Granville (@samgranvilletv) September 5, 2026
Parton was born in Sevier County, not far from Knoxville, and remained closely associated with East Tennessee throughout her life. She died last month at age 80.
That made Neyland a particularly fitting setting for the tribute.
Tennessee football has plenty of traditions of its own. On this day, the school used one of college football's most recognizable venues to celebrate one of the state's most recognizable people.
