Josh Heupel on fake noise accusation in Neyland Stadium: ’Hopefully our fans take that personally’

Against the backdrop that Neyland Stadium was accused of using piped-in noise to help generate a raucous environment in a game against Alabama, Tennessee coach Josh Heupel is calling on fans to take issue with the claim.

Specifically, he wants them to make Neyland Stadium louder than ever to erase all doubt.

“I had not heard that,” Heupel said of the accusations. “Neyland doesn’t need anything fake piped into the stadium for that to be the loudest place in America. Hopefully our fans take that personally.

“Enjoy this bye week and come back and it’ll be louder than ever the next time we’re at home.”

So where did the accusation originate?

Alabama radio play-by-play broadcaster Chris Stewart said Saturday during the Crimson Tide Sports Network broadcast that the Vols “also pipe in crowd noise” on top of the 101,915 capacity at Neyland Stadium.  

“Second-and-16 is not what you’re looking for,” Stewart said during Tennessee’s 24-17 win over Alabama, “especially with the noise level being what it is here. … You’ve got 100,000-plus and they also pipe in crowd noise as well.”

Stewart later attempted to clarify his comment. He did so on Wednesday during a radio interview. 

The Crimson Tide Sports Network’s play-by-play broadcaster appeared on ‘3 Man Front’ on WJOX 94.5-FM in Birmingham, saying he meant nothing “derogatory” toward Tennessee while also saying the Vols use speakers on the field to increase the noise level inside Neyland Stadium. 

“I misspoke, but it really wasn’t, in theory, off,” Stewart said. “I said that you have 100,000 (fans) and piped-in crowd noise. Which is not what I should have said. What I should have said is amplified noise. And that’s clear they do it. They’ve got speakers all on the field level behind our benches pointing toward the stands.

“It was extremely loud and it absolutely adds to the noise level, which was my point, although I may have misphrased, but that’s a fact.” 

On3’s Grant Ramey also contributed to this report.