Former Tide star Cornelius Bennett roots for Tennessee thanks to his son Kivon, still won’t sing ‘Rocky Top’
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When defensive lineman Kivon Bennett signed with Tennessee, his father Cornelius had to do something he likely never thought he would have to do in his life — wear the orange and white of the Volunteers. While the former Alabama standout defender did just that without hesitation, that doesn’t mean the transition wasn’t a difficult one of him.
In case you are unfamiliar with Kivon, he was a four-star signee in Tennessee’s 2017 recruiting class. He appeared in four games as a true freshman for the Vols following a standout prep career at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. His father Cornelius was a three-time All-American for Alabama that went on to have an incredible NFL career.
During a recent appearance on WNSP-FM 105.5 radio program The Opening Kickoff, Bennett discussed how awkward it felt entering Bryant-Denny while supporting the visiting team last season.
“To walk into Bryant-Denny Stadium as a fan of the opposing team going against my team was something strange,” Cornelius Bennett said, according to The Opening Kickoff co-host and AL.com writer Mark Heim.
While the transition may have been a tough one initially for Bennett, he made it clear he roots for his son regardless of where he plays his college football.
“My son plays for Tennessee, so I have to cheer for my son,” Cornelius Bennett continued. “You know that. I cheer for my son… I wear orange and white when I go to his football games on Saturday, as a proud parent would for their children.”
During his appearance on the radio program, Bennett admitted that he still has Crimson and White in his veins and acknowledges there are some things he still won’t do, not even for his son. Chief among them? Singing Tennessee’s unofficial fight song, “Rocky Top.”
“The only thing I told my son and Butch Jones when he was the head coach at Tennessee, the one thing I won’t do, and have not done as of yet, is sing Rocky Top,” Bennett revealed.
All reasonable Alabama fans should understand Bennett’s allegiance to his son’s team, while at the same time appreciating the fact a father’s love only goes so far when it comes to supporting the Volunteers.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
