On this Thanksgiving Day, John Shearer's column about the TN/KY 1950 football game brought back fond memories to me as I was there watching the battle in the snow. It is probably the most memorable game I ever witnessed at Neyland Stadium. In spite of the cold and snow, I was warm inside as I saw a great game. Permit me to tell you about my experience that day.
I was not married at the time and invited my fiance to go to the game. We married a few months later and the marriage is still ongoing after 62 years. I had just bought a new automobile (1950 Bel Air Hardtop Chevy) - for $2,150.00 off the dealer showroom in Dayton.
Red leather seats - red carpet - White with gray top. It was a beauty. I invited my nephew, Buck Johnson to go with us. Also, Soddy-Daisy High School football Coach Harland Burnette went with us.
Driving in the snow from Soddy was a risky venture but the love of football made us try to make the trip. Of course, I had a lot of back-seat driving advice which helped. Cars all along the way were off the road, in ditches, and completely stopped. My new Chevy made it fine. The Interstate was not built which meant that we traveled through Kingston on narrow roads. We arrived at the stadium with the chore of removing 8 inches of snow from our seats. We did not mind it a bit.
The game was so exciting that the frigid weather warmed us a lot. Hot coffee helped too. I won't try to describe the game for you have done well in that. Thanks for writing about it. It was a game that made an indelible impression on me even 62 years later.
Ted Mills