We can’t speak for other schools, but at the University of Tennessee, they never want to turn loose of their sports heroes. After bidding their seniors farewell in their final game at Neyland Stadium, Vol fans begin charting the career paths of the school’s athletes. When safety Charles Davis is featured on national television providing commentary for a West Coast football game, they will tune in. Or if towering offensive lineman Tim Irwin becomes the judge at Knoxville’s Juvenile Court, they rejoice in their community’s good fortune. It’s safe to say UT fans have trouble letting go. On these pages are collected the stories of 25 former Tennessee football players. They were not chosen for the impact they had on the school’s proud gridiron tradition, although it’s fair to say all performed with distinction. Rather, it was their unusual—in some cases, daring—lives after college that captured the authors’ attention. To a man, each player credited the lessons acquired playing football at Tennessee with helping him achieve rich accomplishments later in life. Fans will enjoy reading how Jim Haslam built the gigantic Pilot Oil Co., Bill Emendorfer put together a string of successful restaurants, and Dr. Bob Overholt became a popular television personality in his hometown. From Willie Gault to Doug Atkins, from Mallon Faircloth to Fuad Reveiz, Once a Vol, Always a Vol! details the lives of many a proud man of the Volunteer Nation.