The full speech from Brandon Davis, grandson of the late, legendary A.W. Davis, at the Tennessee Athletics

Good evening, everyone. I’m honored and humbled to stand before you today at this incredible gathering of Tennessee Athletics. To be here in front of so many passionate fans, legendary coaches, and my fellow student-athletes is truly a privilege. As many of you know, I am Brandon Davis, and today, I have the unique honor of speaking to you not only as a proud member of the Tennessee family but also as the grandson of a man whose name carries tremendous weight in this community — my grandfather, the late, legendary A.W. Davis.

When I first learned that I would be standing here today, I’ll be honest, I had a lot of emotions. My grandfather was an icon in this program, a man who not only defined Tennessee Athletics but also the values that we all hold dear as Vols. As I prepared for this moment, I found myself reflecting deeply on what my grandfather represented — not just as a coach, but as a mentor, a father figure, and a true embodiment of what it means to be a Volunteer.

But more than just his remarkable achievements, my grandfather was someone who lived with purpose, integrity, and a profound sense of responsibility to others. Those same values that made him such a force in Tennessee Athletics are what I carry with me today as I stand before you.

A Legacy of Excellence: For those of you who may not be as familiar with the legacy of A.W. Davis, let me take a moment to share a little bit about the man who laid the foundation for so much of what we hold sacred in this great university.

A.W. Davis arrived at Tennessee in an era when college athletics were just beginning to gain the national recognition they enjoy today. But it wasn’t just about the wins and losses for my grandfather — it was about instilling a winning mentality that transcended the game itself. He believed in the power of discipline, hard work, and, above all, integrity. Those who played for him knew that it wasn’t just about performing on the field, but about how you carried yourself off of it. My grandfather’s commitment to excellence set the standard for what Tennessee Athletics would become.

His teams were known for their toughness, their resilience, and their undying fight to the very last second of every game. And just as importantly, his players were known for their character — a character that extended far beyond the final whistle. My grandfather was a man who wasn’t just building athletes — he was shaping leaders, teaching young men and women how to carry themselves with dignity, how to embrace challenges, and how to respect the game.

The Importance of Community: One of the most important lessons my grandfather taught me, and one that I know he instilled in every person who came through his program, was the importance of community. For A.W. Davis, Tennessee was more than just a school — it was a family. It was a place where athletes weren’t just competing for themselves, but for something greater than themselves: for the Volunteer community, for the fans who filled Neyland Stadium every Saturday, and for the generations of players who would come after them.

My grandfather was a tireless advocate for the connection between athletics and community. He always believed that success didn’t just come from hard work in practice, but from being a positive force in the lives of others. Whether it was through his charity work, his involvement with local organizations, or his commitment to being present for his players, he understood that athletics was a vehicle for much more than just trophies.

When I think about the athletes who stand before us today — each one of you — I see a reflection of that same commitment to community. Whether you’re competing on the field, in the classroom, or in the stands, you’re all contributing to something bigger than yourselves. You’re carrying the torch that my grandfather helped light, and you’re continuing the work of strengthening this incredible Tennessee Athletics family.

The Volunteers’ Spirit: Another core value that my grandfather held close to his heart was the spirit of the Volunteer. Tennessee is more than just a place to play sports. It’s a place to learn, to grow, and to give back. My grandfather always believed that the heart of a Volunteer is what truly sets us apart. It’s that selfless spirit — the willingness to sacrifice, to push through adversity, and to put the team above personal glory.

It’s no coincidence that this spirit has shaped Tennessee Athletics into what it is today. When you step onto the field, the court, or the track, you are part of something far greater than the individual efforts of any one player or coach. You are carrying the weight of all those who have come before you and those who will follow in your footsteps. That’s what makes wearing the Tennessee uniform such an incredible honor. It’s not just about the victories, though we all strive for them. It’s about representing the legacy of those who built this program, and continuing to carry the banner of pride, honor, and excellence.

As my grandfather always said, “When you wear this uniform, you’re not just representing yourself — you’re representing every single person who has ever worn it before you.”

A Personal Connection: For me, personally, this legacy is something I carry every day. I grew up hearing stories of my grandfather’s days as a coach — the battles he fought, the players he mentored, and the impact he made on the community. But as I got older, I realized that his legacy wasn’t just in the championships, the records, or the plaques on the wall. It was in the lives he touched. It was in the countless young people whose futures he helped shape, both on and off the field.

Today, I look around and see so many of you — student-athletes, coaches, staff, and fans — who continue that tradition. You are carrying the same values that my grandfather instilled in this program. The work ethic. The commitment to excellence. The belief in community and family. The passion for giving back.

I am proud to be here today, standing on the shoulders of my grandfather and so many others who made Tennessee Athletics what it is. And I am excited to see where we go next — because I know that as long as we continue to uphold the values that my grandfather stood for, the future of Tennessee Athletics will be brighter than ever.

Conclusion: In closing, I want to say thank you — to everyone who has helped shape this program, to the coaches who continue to mold the next generation of athletes, and to the fans who pour their hearts into supporting us every step of the way. As a proud grandson of A.W. Davis, I am forever grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this incredible family.

I know that my grandfather would be incredibly proud of what Tennessee Athletics has become, and I have no doubt that he would be cheering each of you on every single day. So, let’s continue his legacy. Let’s continue to honor what it means to be a Volunteer — not just through our athletic achievements, but through our integrity, our work ethic, and our commitment to our community.