Smokey the Tennessee Volunteers mascot is an iconic symbol of the University of Tennessee. Smokey, an energetic Bluetick Coonhound, has been the official live mascot of the Tennessee Volunteers since 1953. He is beloved by students, alumni, and fans of UT Athletics. Smokey is known for his distinctive appearance, with his blue and orange coat that matches the university's colors. He is also recognized for his role in leading the team onto the football field before every home game. It is a tradition that Smokey leads the team out of the T, running ahead of the players with the fans cheering him on.
SF: Can a case contain a demon?
Spells and other actions are performed on the seat to transfer whatever might be affecting the affected individual from their body into something like a healing ritual. Frustrated and near tears, we decided to give into our superstitions and write letters to Robert in the hopes of reversing whatever bad luck he gave us and finding our lost bag.
It is a tradition that Smokey leads the team out of the T, running ahead of the players with the fans cheering him on. Smokey has become a cherished ambassador for the university, making appearances at various events throughout the year. He attends pep rallies, tailgate parties, and other university functions.
I Visited a Notoriously Haunted Doll, and Bad Luck Followed Me Everywhere
I'm a relatively superstitious person. I would never walk on someone's grave in a cemetery, I believe in ghosts, and I'm careful to not walk under any ladders. So while I was on my honeymoon in Key West recently and heard about a ghost tour that involved Robert the Doll — a famously haunted doll that brings bad luck to those who visit him — I was pretty intrigued.
For an inanimate object, Robert is pretty well-known. He's been featured on several TV shows and is even toted around to various conventions that center on the occult. Eager to see what all the fuss was about, my husband, Chris, and I booked a tour with a company called Ghosts & Gravestones, which included a stop at the Fort East Martello Museum where Robert resides. While the tour was awesome, our brief encounter with Robert was . . . less than ideal. Why? Well, because he "haunted" me for about 36 hours afterwards.
Related:In order to understand the full extent of this, it's important to know Robert's sordid past. Originally given as a gift to Eugene Otto, an author and painter, by his grandfather in 1904, the two were instantly inseparable. It's said that Robert the Doll's outfit was even modeled after one Eugene wore. As a boy, Eugene would often blame the doll for accidents and misgivings, claiming, "Robert told me to do it." Seems like somewhat normal little kid behavior, right?
According to our tour guide, the real trouble started when a woman who worked for the Otto family was fired abruptly without cause. But rather than packing her bags and leaving, she reportedly used voodoo to put a curse on the doll as a form of revenge. And while it may seem pretty far-fetched to some, others believe it actually worked.
"Once he was put on exhibit, cameras and electronic devices malfunctioned in his presence, and soon letters began arriving addressed to the doll offering apologies for disrespectful behavior or asking forgiveness."
As an adult, Eugene became an artist. Considered by many to be "eccentric," Eugene returned to his family home in Key West with his wife, Annette Parker, after they got married in 1930. And despite being an adult, Eugene's love of Robert never wavered (legend has it that Robert sat right next to Eugene while he painted). Annette obviously wasn't a huge fan of her husband's best friend, and vice versa, so once Eugene died in 1974, Annette left Key West. She left Robert behind in the attic of the home, where he was found years later by the home's new owners. While strange things had often happened in Robert's presence before — people hearing voices, noises, and other unexplained sounds — it wasn't until he was donated to the Fort East Martello Museum in 1994 that his less-than-kind attitude went full-scale.
Before walking into the museum to get a peek at Robert, the tour guide gave us some strict rules to follow: you must greet and introduce yourself to Robert; if you want to take a photo of him, you must ask first; and you can't leave the museum without saying goodbye. While a bit weird, that all sounded doable to Chris and me, so we did as we were told. After snapping a few photos, we learned about what happens to people who don't follow the rules or poke fun at Robert. A nearby TV showed thousands of letters from people from around the world who experienced terrible luck after rubbing the doll the wrong way.
According to some of the letters, visitors have been met with all kinds of misfortune, from getting burned by hot water to missing their flights to — yep — even getting divorced. "Once he was put on exhibit, cameras and electronic devices malfunctioned in his presence, and soon letters began arriving addressed to the doll offering apologies for disrespectful behavior or asking forgiveness," says the website. "Letters continue to arrive daily."
As a respectful visitor, I thought I was off the hook. I followed the rules and was genuinely interested in learning about him. But boy, was I wrong. I made ONE comment about a grown man carrying around a doll, and my fate was sealed. As soon as I woke up the next day, the bad luck began. First, our flight home was delayed. Then, we were forced to rebook our flight because the plane was too heavy, resulting in us having a five-hour layover and getting transferred to another connecting flight. While both of these things were annoying, I also knew they happen sometimes. It couldn't have been because of a doll, right?
I realized that Robert might actually have had it out for us when we finally landed back home around midnight. The problem? Our luggage never showed up. We were told to go home and that the suitcase was probably on the next flight in. Fast forward to the next morning — still no sign of the bag. And no one on either airline that we used could locate where the suitcase was. It was simply missing without a trace. Frustrated and near tears, we decided to give into our superstitions and write letters to Robert in the hopes of reversing whatever bad luck he gave us and finding our lost bag.
Smokey also travels with the team to away games, providing support and extra spirit to the players and fans. In addition to his role as the live mascot, Smokey also has a lineage. Each Smokey is owned by a member of the university's Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and is selected based on temperament and physical characteristics. The role of Smokey is passed down through the years, ensuring that the tradition continues with each new generation of hounds. Smokey has become a cherished symbol of pride and spirit for the Tennessee Volunteers community. He embodies the energy and enthusiasm of UT Athletics and is adored by fans of all ages. Whether running onto the field or making appearances throughout the year, Smokey will always hold a special place in the hearts of those associated with the University of Tennessee..
Reviews for "The Spirit of Smokey: How the Tennessee Volunteers' Mascot Ignites Fan Passion"
1. Jane - 2/5 - I found Smokey, the Tennessee Volunteers mascot, to be quite underwhelming. First of all, the costume looked outdated and lacked any creativity. The design was not visually appealing and did not capture the spirit of the team or university. Additionally, the performer inside the costume lacked enthusiasm and energy, making the overall experience quite disappointing. I expected a lively and engaging mascot, but Smokey fell short. I hope they consider revamping the design and finding a more enthusiastic performer to bring the mascot to life.
2. Mark - 1/5 - Smokey, the Tennessee Volunteers mascot, is just plain boring. The costume looks like it was bought from a cheap Halloween store and offers nothing unique or inspiring. There is no creativity or excitement in the mascot's portrayal, and it fails to generate any enthusiasm during the games. Smokey feels like an afterthought, and it's just a shame that such a legendary team like the Volunteers has such a lackluster mascot. I hope they reconsider their mascot choice and bring in something more captivating and engaging for the fans.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I was disappointed with Smokey, the Tennessee Volunteers mascot. The costume design did not accurately represent the team or university spirit. It appeared to be outdated, lackluster, and uninspiring. The performance inside the costume was also less than impressive, lacking the energy and enthusiasm needed to rally the crowd. Overall, Smokey was a forgettable mascot, and I believe the team could benefit from a redesign that better reflects their identity and engages the fans in a more exciting way.