Hendon Hooker reveals what his viral moment as Tennessee band director meant to him

Hendon Hooker has become a household name throughout his time at Tennessee, with plenty of special moments on the field, but a moment after the team’s win last weekend is now close to the quarterback’s heart.

Hooker and company defeated Missouri 66-24 on the Volunteers’ Senior Day, and afterwards the Heisman hopeful directed the band in the singing of ‘Rocky Top.’ The moment went viral for how awesome it was, and during his postgame press conference Hooker explained what it meant to him.

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“Walking over to sing with my teammates after the win, the band director grabbed me and asked me if I wanted to direct ‘Rocky Top.’ Well yeah, for sure. I was kind of scared though, getting on the ladder with my cleats on. ‘I hope I don’t fall.’ So I was being very careful walking up the ladder and standing there,” reminisced Hooker. “… It was cool. It’s been something that I’ve admired since the day I got here. Just seeing pictures of Peyton [Manning] being up there and seeing videos.

“Also just kind of having that thought in my mind, like when we score we strike the band up. So I always wanted to do a little celebration like striking the band up when I scored. So just being there was an honor and a blessing, as well.”

Hendon Hooker has brought some amazing memories to Tennessee faithful already, but he’s far from done yet. He’s been everything the Volunteers could’ve asked for and more, and there’s still the College Football Playoff potentially waiting in the wings.

Josh Heupel shares what Hendon Hooker has meant to Tennessee

Continuing, the Tennessee Volunteers are in the midst of their final stretch of the season, meaning there are only a few opportunities left for quarterback Hendon Hooker to wear the Tennessee orange and white.

Last week, Josh Heupel discussed the impact the former Virginia Tech QB has had in Knoxville since transferring for the 2021 season.

“To put it just in words, I think he’s really tough, he’s been such a leader, such a dynamic playmaker, he’s been so consistent in the building,” Heupel said. “You know, he’s a huge part of the culture that we have from within the locker room, the ownership that we have from within it. 

“I don’t think anybody inside our program, players, coaches, or fans, you know, I mean I would never take anything from him for granted. He’s had a huge impact and he’s excited to get out there to play one more time in Neyland but we’ve got a lot of football ahead of us and continue to compete down the home stretch with the team.”

Nevertheless, Hooker has a bright future ahead of him, as ESPN NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. gushed about Hooker and his increasing draft stock as the next level looms large.

“Hooker has moved I think into the late first-round discussion, at worst a second-rounder,” Kiper said. “He’s incredibly accurate. He doesn’t make mistakes; he does not throw interceptions. Game manager? More than that. This guy is a great decision-maker.”

Hooker and the Vols still have plenty of work to do in 2022, but his time in Knoxville has proven to be more than fruitful for both sides.