Al Wilson, the former Tennessee football star, experienced a 'rock star' moment at Luke Combs' concert in Neyland Stadium. He shared the stage with Peyton Manning and other notable figures, highlighting the electric atmosphere of the event.
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Why Tennessee football legend Al Wilson felt like a 'rock star' at Luke Combs concert
LENOIR CITY − Al Wilson made a career of playing in front of packed college and NFL stadiums full of raucous fans.
Even the former Tennessee star linebacker was shocked at the atmosphere at Neyland Stadium on May 2.
Wilson joined fellow Vols legend Peyton Manning, Tennessee coach Josh Heupel and former quarterback Joey Aguilar on stage with country music artist Luke Combs during his "My Kinda Saturday Night" tour.
"I got a chance to feel what rock stars feel like," Wilson told Knox News at the Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic on May 8. "Being in front of all those people, singing your song, I got a chance to see what that felt like."
Wilson and the others chugged beers on stage in front of 92,045 fans, the largest concert audience in Neyland Stadium history.
"We've been on the football stage and that's entertainment," said Wilson who played eight years in the NFL with the Denver Broncos and made the Pro Bowl five times. "It's a team aspect. This is (Combs) and his band and he's the sole focal point. To be a part of that was a memory I'll never forget."
Some mornings, the 48-year-old Wilson can feel the difference of 30 years in his joints.
Al Wilson was shocked by the atmosphere at Neyland Stadium during Luke Combs' concert, describing it as electrifying.
Al Wilson was joined on stage by Peyton Manning, Tennessee coach Josh Heupel, and former quarterback Joey Aguilar.
Al Wilson attended the Luke Combs concert on May 2 at Neyland Stadium.
Neyland Stadium is significant for Al Wilson as it is a venue where he previously played in front of large crowds during his football career.
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It's been nearly three decades since the College Football Hall of Fame linebacker and former team captain led Tennessee to a national championship in the 1998 season.
Wilson would have preferred if NIL rules existed at the time. But he drew pride from the success of modern student-athletes.
"We don't get to this point if the generations that came before these kids don't do what they did," he said. "These kids aren't making money if guys didn't sacrifice to get here. We're excited, I know I'm excited they're making money. I love it because at the end of the day, we should be beneficiaries of our talents and what we're putting out there as entertainment."
Former UT wide receiver Carl Pickens agreed, but remained wary of the transfer portal.
"I think there should only be a certain amount of transfers," said the 56-year-old Pickens, who played nine years in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals. "Now, guys are just transferring for whatever reason. I think there has to be some legitimate reasons to transfer. I think it should be minimal, and also I don't think you should be able to get money from four or five different teams."
Former UT defensive back Deon Grant, who was on the 1998 team and won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants during a 12-year NFL career, believes the college landscape is "already messed up" due to a lack of transfer restrictions.
"As alumni, we become fans of these guys and want to support them," he said. "You turn around as soon as the offseason hits and they're on a whole new team."
Wilson offered advice for current and future college athletes.
"Through experience," he said, "when you make decisions solely on the paper, you're about to make a bad choice."
Wynton Jackson covers high school sports for Knox News. Email: wynton.jackson@knoxnews.com
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football linebacker Al Wilson on Luke Combs concert, NIL, transfer portal