Volunteers to honor late Dolly Parton with helmet decal - ESPN

Tennessee's football program will honor late country singer and philanthropist Dolly Parton with a sticker on the back of players' helmets during the entire 2026 season, Volunteers coach Josh Heupel announced Monday.

Parton died in Nashville on Aug. 25. She was 80.

«All that she's meant across the world, this country, and certainly the Queen of East Tennessee,» Heupel told reporters. «A lady that was extremely proud of her roots. You look at her impact, just her ability to give back, make an impact to people, certainly here in East Tennessee. She means a lot to people across this country, but certainly here inside the state of Tennessee, too.»

Parton had a close connection with UT. She spoke at the university's commencement in 2009 and received an honorary doctorate of humane and musical letters. She performed on campus during world tours in 2011 and 2014.

For Dolly.