Peyton Manning smokes cigar provided by Jay Cutler after Tennessee's upset win over Alabama
The Tennessee Volunteers pulled off an upset over Alabama on Saturday night and, of course, Peyton Manning wouldn't miss the chance to celebrate. A game-winning field goal as time expired, clinched the victory over the number one team in the country.
The former Vols quarterback, who was wearing an orange checked dress shirt, was on the field after the win and even smoked a cigar with the team. Manning was undefeated against the Crimson Tide during his time as the quarterback for Tennessee.
The Vols football team posted a picture on Twitter of Manning alongside wide receiver Jalin Hyatt in the locker room. Cigars were plentiful around the Neyland Stadium in Knoxville on Saturday night and while there were several different suppliers, one may shock everyone. And, it wasn't a Volunteers alumni either.
Legend achievement unlocked.
@jalinhyatt https://t.co/qrZsvLMQq1
Former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler provided the cigars to the Volunteers. As originally reported by Ross Dellenger, the Vanderbilt alum had one thought in mind when doing so. According to a Tennessee Volunteers administrator, he simply wanted the team to beat the Crimson Tide.
“He wanted us to beat Bama,” says a Vols administrator.
One of the people who supplied the Tennessee football team with cigars was none other than Jay Cutler, the former Vanderbilt QB.
Why did he do it?
“He wanted us to beat Bama,” says a Vols administrator.
Although the SEC can be one of the most competitive divisions in all of college football, there is apparently one common goal. And that is to defeat the Alabama Crimson Tide.
When did Peyton Manning play for the Tennessee Volunteers?
Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning broke family tradition when he committed to playing college football at Tennessee. With his father Archie and brother Cooper both attending Ole Miss, Manning wanted to take his own route. His younger brother Eli would also go on to play college football at Ole Miss.
Manning played for the Volunteers from 1994 through the 1997 season. In 1995, he led the Volunteers to a commanding 41-14 win over the Crimson Tide, breaking a nine-game losing streak for the team. He threw for over 3,800 passing yards in his senior season.
27 years ago today: Peyton Manning and Joey Kent get the Vols on the board immediately against Alabama. Tennessee would win 41-14 and end a 9 game winless streak against Bama. https://t.co/HIs7ixGmvz
Manning went on to lead the Volunteers to 39 wins in 45 games while starting at quarterback for the team. Which broke a SEC record for most career wins. He is still the Volunteers' all-time passer with 11,201 passing yards and 89 touchdowns in his four seasons.
Manning was inducted into the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016. He was then inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
His elite college resume led him to being the number one draft pick in the 1998 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts.