KNOXVILLE – Peerless Price sprinted into Tennessee lore 21 years ago, hauling in quarterback Tee Martin’s arching pass and scoring on a 79-yard touchdown reception in the Vols’ Fiesta Bowl game against Florida State.
The decisive score of the Vols’ national championship-clinching victory unfolded in lightning-strike fashion.
The former star receiver has been running a different route lately, one that took years rather than seconds to finish.
The accomplishment won’t bring fans to their feet in celebration. But it’s been a goal line worth chasing for him.
“I can see the finish line people,” Price said via Twitter on Wednesday. “You finish what you start is my motto in life.”
After playing nine seasons in the NFL, Price returned to finish his UT degree in psychology through the Renewing Academic Commitment program.
Price and 64 other student-athletes have completed their degree requirements and are being honored in virtual fashion this week by the university, which has been conducting its business online since March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The graduates are scattered from coast to coast. Three other countries – Greece, Australia and Jamaica – also are represented.
“We certainly regret that they are unable to celebrate commencement with their coaches, teammates and families here on campus but we also understand that sacrifices for the greater good are necessary right now,” UT athletic director Phillip Fulmer said in a school release. “Throughout their time here at the University of Tennessee, these young men and women have developed the strength and resilience to overcome most any challenge they could encounter. And they’re now uniquely positioned to lead the way as society bounces back from this pandemic.”
Along with Price, there are other finishes worth noting.
-Three other former athletes also took advantage of the RAC program to finish their degrees. Zach Osborne and Benito Santiago are former baseball players while Steve Hamer played basketball. Hamer gets a nod for perseverance. He completed his eligibility in 1996.
-Lady Vols post player Kamera Harris’ older brother, Jordan, might be her biggest fan. He played a role in getting his sister to UT, reaching out to coaches via social media and disseminating game video during her recruitment. He also served as her trainer
He used social media last week to congratulate his sister for getting a bachelor’s degree in three years and then completing a master’s degree this spring in Communication & Information.
We all would be fortunate to have a brother like Jordan.
-Ja’Quain Blakely, a redshirt junior defensive tackle, received his degree in sociology.
Blakely’s grandmother called him last November after his victory-saving tackle on fourth down at the 2-yard line against Kentucky. He recalled the gist of the conversation and the sound of her voice in saying, “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you made the tackle.”
Bet grandmother had something to say about her grandson’s degree.
-Jenna Holcomb’s final act as a Tennessee student-athlete was completing her degree in public relations.
The senior softball outfielder, who was second team All-SEC last year, entered the transfer portal in April and will finish her eligibility as a graduate transfer at San Diego State, which is close to her home in Los Alamitos, Calif.
The NCAA granted spring sports athletes an extra year of eligibility after their seasons were stopped by the pandemic.
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Dan Fleser is a 1980 graduate of the University of Missouri, who covered University of Tennessee athletics from 1988-2019. He can be reached at danfleser3@gmail.com.