Former Tennessee Football Player Drops Epic Phillip Fulmer Story That Will Have Kentucky Fans Hating the Vols Even More
In the long and heated history of the Tennessee–Kentucky football rivalry, there have been countless moments of bitterness, heartbreak, and unforgettable clashes. But a recent revelation from a former Tennessee football player has poured gasoline on an already fiery border rivalry. The player shared a story about legendary Volunteers head coach Phillip Fulmer that not only highlights the cutthroat nature of college football in the SEC but also gives Kentucky fans yet another reason to dislike their neighbors to the south.
The story emerged during a podcast appearance, when the unnamed former Vol was asked about his favorite memories of playing under Fulmer. After a few warm anecdotes, the player pivoted to an anecdote that shocked listeners: Fulmer’s behind-the-scenes gamesmanship against Kentucky in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
According to the player, Fulmer had a knack for motivating his team with what he called “the Kentucky edge.” The term referred to Fulmer’s insistence that Tennessee never underestimate their border rival but instead view the Wildcats as an opponent whose suffering was meant to extend the Vols’ dominance. The player recalled one particular locker room speech before a November matchup against Kentucky where Fulmer allegedly told his squad, “We don’t just beat Kentucky—we remind them why they’ll never be us. Every year. Every time.”
That line, the player said, stuck with the team and became a rallying cry. And it worked: under Fulmer, Tennessee dominated the series, extending what is still one of the most lopsided rivalries in college football history. From 1985 to 2010, the Vols rattled off 26 straight wins over the Wildcats, many of them in blowout fashion.
The player went further, sharing that Fulmer occasionally used creative tactics to rub salt in the wound. In one infamous instance, Fulmer allegedly kept the starters in the game late during a lopsided victory, not out of necessity, but to send a message. “Coach wanted to make sure Kentucky never felt close,” the player explained. “He wanted them to remember the gap between the two programs.”
For Tennessee fans, the story was vintage Fulmer: a coach who thrived on rivalries, prided himself on psychological tactics, and understood how to maintain dominance. For Kentucky fans, however, the revelation felt like a dagger. It confirmed what many in the Big Blue Nation had long suspected—that Tennessee didn’t just want to beat Kentucky, they wanted to embarrass them.
Social media quickly lit up after the story dropped, with Vols fans celebrating the ruthless edge of their former coach. “Classic Fulmer. That’s why he was one of the best,” one Tennessee supporter posted. “No mercy for the Cats.” Meanwhile, Kentucky fans voiced their outrage, calling the story proof of Tennessee’s arrogance and lack of respect for their program.
“Typical Vols,” one UK fan tweeted. “It’s not enough that they beat us for decades straight—they have to brag about trying to humiliate us too? That’s why nobody outside Knoxville respects them.”
The rivalry between the programs, though often overshadowed by Tennessee’s showdowns with Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, has always carried personal weight for fans in the border states. Many families are divided between Big Orange and Big Blue, and the annual November meeting has long been a source of bragging rights. This latest revelation only intensifies the animosity.
While Fulmer has not publicly commented on the resurfaced story, those who knew him say it wouldn’t be out of character. Known for his fiery speeches and ability to push players to the edge, Fulmer often tapped into rivalries to motivate his team. His record speaks for itself: a national championship in 1998, multiple SEC titles, and a string of dominance over nearly every rival in the conference.
For Kentucky, however, the story reinforces a painful truth. For decades, they were the annual stepping stone for Tennessee football—a program used as a measuring stick for the Vols’ greatness. Though Kentucky has found more recent success under Mark Stoops, the shadow of Fulmer’s dominance still looms large.
And now, with this latest anecdote circulating, the flames of rivalry burn hotter than ever. For Tennessee fans, it’s a reminder of glory days under a Hall of Fame coach. For Kentucky fans, it’s yet another reason to grit their teeth whenever they see orange.
As the next Tennessee–Kentucky matchup approaches, one thing is certain: this story will be fresh on everyone’s minds. And whether the Cats use it as motivation or the Vols embrace it as part of their proud tradition, Phillip Fulmer’s legacy has once again managed to stir the pot in one of the SEC’s most underrated rivalries.