Year of the Quarterback – The Color Orange airs Sunday, Feb. 20

 ESPN began their 2011 Year of the Quarterback with an early January documentary on some guy from Florida….. Tebow? The series continues Sunday, Feb. 20, at 8 pm with a salute to a man who broke racial barriers – a man who revolutionized the position of quarterback – a man who is humble and honest. Make sure you see The Color Orange, the story of Condredge Holloway

Holloway quarterbacked the Vols from 1972 to 74. He was the first African American to start as quarterback in the Southeastern Conference. For those who are old enough to have seen him play he was simply electrifying. Nicknamed the Artful Dodger, Holloway was famous for slipping past defenders when there seemed to be no openings. One highlight film from a game against Georgia Tech shows one play in which nearly every defensive player putting their hands on Holloway unable to bring him down.

He was drafted out of college by the New England Patriots and the Montreal Allouettes. Not content to merely play defensive back and goal line QB for the Pats, Holloway headed north along with other black quarterbacks of the era including Warren Moon. He played for three teams over the span of 13 years in the Canadian Football League, won two Grey Cups with the Toronto Argonauts, was named MVP in 1982, and was named to the CFL Hall of Fame in 1999.

Holloway is an assistant athletic director at UTK. And, he is an active member UT Federal Credit Union. He is a great representation of the many member/owners we have at the credit union.  

To paraphrase Luttrell-native country singer Kenny Chesney, it’s a bonus when you can meet one of your heroes and be glad that you know him as a person. Like so many in these parts, Chesney grew up a fan of Holloway’s. Chesney produced and directed the one-hour documentary on Holloway for ESPN.