John Adams: Things go better at Tennessee with Peyton Manning
New Tennessee Chancellor Beverly Davenport is a quick study. After just a couple of weeks on the job, she already could appreciate the importance of Peyton Manning, UT’s former All-American quarterback.
She didn’t hesitate to point that out at the introductory news conference for new UT athletic director John Currie last week. She said a well-wisher advised her that anytime you do something people don’t like, tell them how much you love Manning.
“So I’m here today to tell you how much I love Peyton Manning,” she said.
That’s good advice for anyone around here.
If you’re stopped for speeding, tell the officer you are rushing home to watch Manning’s new pizza commercial. Arrested for shoplifting? Tell the store manager that the stolen merchandise is a gift for Manning.
Tennessee’s love affair with Manning began when he became a starting quarterback as a freshman in 1994. But his popularity has grown just like his quarterbacking reputation since then. And no matter how much fame he achieved as one of the NFL’s greatest quarterbacks, he has continued to serve as a goodwill ambassador for his alma mater. In fact, Tennessee fans are probably still naming babies after him.
But while listening to UT’s new chancellor, I concluded that Tennessee should capitalize on its Manning connection even further. And it should be willing to pay him for that connection. Given how freely Tennessee throws money around, paying someone as popular and famous as Manning a hefty appearance fee wouldn’t be out of line.
Suppose Tennessee were playing a meaningless baseball game in early April. Why not schedule Manning to throw out the first pitch? Better yet, let him take batting practice before the game and sign autographs afterward.
Not only might UT have a sellout crowd, fans wouldn’t go home complaining if the Vols lost. Instead, they would be telling their family and friends how far Manning hit a ball in pregame.
Manning could even draw a crowd to a Tennessee track meet. So why not pay him to attend the Tennessee Relays in early April? He wouldn't have to stay for the entire meet, but he could take on some media-type in a celebrity shot put competition beforehand.
Even if a Vol set a school record in an event, fans would leave Tom Black Track talking about how far Manning threw the shot.
But Tennessee shouldn’t rely on Manning just for sports. For example, anytime UT needs to fire someone, it should pay Manning to do it via FaceTime. That could completely change the tone of the outgoing employee’s day.
Imagine the employee arriving home and breaking the news to his wife.
Husband: You won't believe what happened to me at work.
Wife: What’s that, Honey?
Husband: I had a one-on-one conversation with Peyton Manning.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him on Twitter: @JohnAdamsKNS.
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