ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Two Former Vols Get Recognized For Elite Professional Careers
The University of Tennessee has long served as a launching pad for greatness—on the gridiron, in arenas, on the diamond, and well beyond. Generations of Volunteers have carried the Power T into the world, turning promise into performance and leaving lasting marks in their respective fields. Today, the legacy continues, as two former Tennessee standouts have received high honors for their elite professional careers, drawing both national recognition and the pride of the Volunteer faithful. With their roots planted firmly in Knoxville, these two alumni are now celebrated not only for what they accomplished on Rocky Top but also for the impact they’ve made in their careers, their communities, and the broader landscape of professional sports.
For both athletes, the road from Neyland Stadium and Thompson-Boling Arena to the biggest stages in sports was paved with grit, discipline, and unshakable determination. Now, their names are being honored alongside the best of the best—one in football and one in basketball—each reflecting the competitive fire and Volunteer spirit that helped shape their rise.
The first is NFL veteran and Tennessee defensive stalwart Eric Berry, who was recently named to the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 and is being honored by the Kansas City Chiefs for his remarkable contributions on and off the field. Widely regarded as one of the best defensive backs of his generation, Berry was a two-time unanimous All-American at Tennessee, winning the Jim Thorpe Award in 2009 and cementing his place as a top NFL draft pick. His professional career was just as extraordinary. After being selected fifth overall by the Chiefs in 2010, Berry quickly became the heart and soul of Kansas City’s defense, earning five Pro Bowl selections, three First-Team All-Pro honors, and the 2015 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award.
Berry’s story, however, is about more than accolades. In 2014, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma—a life-altering moment that stunned the football world. Refusing to let the disease define him, Berry fought through chemotherapy and returned to the field less than a year later, leading his team with the same fire and fearlessness that made him a college superstar. His comeback remains one of the most inspirational narratives in modern sports. In Kansas City and across the NFL, Berry became a symbol of resilience, integrity, and courage. His legacy is not only built on big hits and pick-sixes but on perseverance in the face of life’s toughest opponent.
Back in Knoxville, Berry’s name is synonymous with toughness and leadership. The hard-hitting safety from Fairburn, Georgia, was the centerpiece of Tennessee’s defense during his collegiate career, compiling 245 total tackles and 14 interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns. He also broke Tennessee’s all-time record for interception return yards—a mark previously held by the legendary Bobby Majors. Berry was a force, a ballhawk with linebacker instincts, who could change a game in a single moment. His intensity, preparation, and sheer will to dominate were unmatched, and even after more than a decade, he remains one of the most beloved players in Tennessee football history.
His recent honors—both at the college football level and in the professional arena—remind the nation of his excellence. In a celebration hosted at Arrowhead Stadium, the Chiefs formally recognized Berry with an Alumni Legend Award, honoring not only his on-field heroics but also his leadership within the Kansas City community. Whether mentoring young players, visiting schools, or speaking to cancer patients and survivors, Berry always represented more than the jersey number on his back. He represented what it means to be a Volunteer—selfless, fearless, and elite.
On the hardwood, another former Vol is earning accolades for her stellar pro career and lasting influence on the women’s game. Candace Parker, one of the most decorated basketball players in history, has officially retired from professional play and will now be honored with induction into both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Parker’s legacy is, simply put, monumental. A two-time NCAA champion with the Lady Vols, a two-time WNBA MVP, and a three-time WNBA champion, she redefined the modern forward position and became one of the faces of women’s sports in the 21st century.
At Tennessee, Parker was a generational talent under legendary head coach Pat Summitt. She arrived in Knoxville as the top-ranked high school player in the nation and wasted no time in delivering on her promise. In her freshman year, she famously dunked in an NCAA Tournament game—becoming the first woman to do so in the tournament’s history—and led the Lady Vols to back-to-back national championships in 2007 and 2008. She was twice named the NCAA Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player and won both the Naismith and Wooden Awards during her college career. In a program filled with legends, Parker’s dominance placed her in the highest echelon.
But her greatness extended far beyond college. Drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2008, she delivered an unforgettable debut season—winning both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player honors. Over the course of her 16-year career, Parker changed the way the women’s game was played. She combined post dominance with perimeter fluidity, defensive versatility with court vision, and star power with humility. Her accolades are staggering: three WNBA titles (with three different franchises), two Olympic gold medals, seven All-WNBA First Team selections, and a spot on the WNBA’s 25th Anniversary Team.
More than just a player, Parker became a global ambassador for women’s basketball. She broke barriers as a broadcaster and analyst for NBA coverage, becoming the first woman to appear regularly on TNT’s Inside the NBA. Her voice, insights, and poise helped normalize female analysts in male-dominated spaces. She was also outspoken on issues ranging from racial justice to maternal health, using her platform to push for equity both on and off the court. Few athletes have done more to elevate their sport, and Parker’s influence will be felt for generations to come.
Now, as she prepares to enter both Halls of Fame, her career comes full circle. From the moment she committed to Tennessee, to her first WNBA dunk, to hoisting her third WNBA championship trophy with the Las Vegas Aces in 2023, Parker has always represented the best of the game. For the Lady Vols community, her achievements are a source of pride not just because of what she accomplished, but how she carried herself. Even as she became a global icon, she never forgot her roots in Knoxville and the foundation laid by Pat Summitt. In every speech, every interview, and every major moment, she has honored that legacy with humility and grace.
With Berry and Parker both receiving honors at the highest level, it’s a reminder of the kind of excellence Tennessee fosters—not just athletic talent, but character, resilience, and impact. These two legends have set standards that stretch well beyond their respective sports, inspiring new generations of Volunteers to dream big, work relentlessly, and carry the torch forward.
Their stories also serve as a reminder that Tennessee’s influence in the world of sports is enduring. For every era, there are stars in orange and white making headlines, winning awards, and changing the game. From Peyton Manning to Tamika Catchings, from Justin Gatlin to Inky Johnson, and now from Eric Berry to Candace Parker, the pipeline of greatness that flows from Knoxville remains as powerful as ever. The recognition of these two alumni is not just about nostalgia—it is about the present and the future, about what is possible when talent meets grit and the Volunteer spirit.
These honors are more than personal milestones. They are affirmations of Tennessee’s place in the sports world, and of the standard set by legends like Berry and Parker. They remind current student-athletes and fans alike that greatness doesn’t start in the pros—it begins with early morning workouts, tough film sessions, fierce competition, and a relentless desire to improve. It begins at Tennessee.
Both Berry and Parker continue to contribute even in retirement. Berry has established a foundation focused on education, health, and leadership for underserved youth. Parker, meanwhile, is focusing on motherhood, mentorship, and her expanding media career, continuing to break new ground in sports broadcasting and business. Each of them has transitioned from elite athlete to leader, role model, and changemaker. And while their paths have diverged since their days in Knoxville, they are united by one powerful truth: once a Vol, always a Vol.
As the banners go up and the awards are handed out, Tennessee fans everywhere are reminded of what makes this university—and its alumni—so special. It’s not just about wins or stats, but about impact. About how you carry yourself, how you face adversity, how you lift others up, and how you leave the jersey in a better place than you found it. Eric Berry and Candace Parker have done just that, and their recognition is well-deserved.
As their names are etched into the halls of greatness, Tennessee celebrates not just the athlete, but the journey. Because in the end, the true measure of a Volunteer isn’t just what they do during the game—it’s how they live beyond it.
