Alvin Kamara starred at Tennessee for 2 seasons about a decade ago, but he hasn’t forgotten what program launched his football career into the stratosphere.
He might be a present-day icon for the New Orleans Saints, the only NFL team Kamara has played for since being drafted by the franchise in the third round of the 2017 draft. But in 2015 and 2016, Kamara wore the orange in Knoxville. On Thursday, he gave something back — something so big that the school is working on a prominent naming opportunity inside Neyland Stadium that will properly recognize Kamara’s gift.
The Tennessee athletic department is calling Kamara’s donation “a large philanthropic gift” from the now 30-year-old Atlanta native, who is a 5-time Pro Bowl running back with the Saints. Kamara’s football playing address might be in Louisiana now, but he routinely makes visits to Knoxville that don’t interfere with his NFL requirements and now he has bestowed a generous gift to the program that was the runway toward his successful NFL career.
Kamara, who will be recognized by the school during Saturday’s Orange & White Spring Game, spoke about his feelings toward Tennessee.
“There are certain experiences that shape you throughout your life. In my heart, it was only right that I pour back into the university that gave me an opportunity when I didn’t quite know what was next,” Kamara said in a statement. “The naming recognition space that we are working on, inside Neyland Stadium, will be a representation of perseverance and faith for everyone who enters for years to come.”
Tennessee athletic director Danny White said Thursday that the school is “profoundly grateful for this generous philanthropic gift.”
Kamara started his college career at Alabama in 2013, moved on to Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College in 2014 and then broke out during his 2 seasons at Tennessee in 2015 and 2016, rushing for a combined 1,294 yards with 16 touchdowns as well as posting 683 yards receiving on 74 catches with 7 TDs.
His productive years at Tennessee paved the way for his spectacular NFL career with the Saints. Kamara has broken numerous franchise records, including rushing yards (7,250), rushing touchdowns (61), total touchdowns (87), total yards from scrimmage (12,198), all-purpose yardage (12,856) and first downs (601).
Now, all these years into his NFL career, Kamara is coming back — again — to his collegiate football home and giving back in a giant way.
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Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
