NCAA Football

This Unassuming Wolverine-Costumed Frat Boy Stepped In As Tennessee’s Kicker

When we think of crazy stories involving players we never expected to see on the field our minds immediately go to the tale of Rudy, or perhaps Texas A&M’s original 12th man.

Tennessee added to that list of unlikely gridiron participation Saturday when neither of its kickers was available for the game against Middle Tennessee State. With Michael Palardy and Chip Rhome both suddenly out with injuries, head coach Derek Dooley had to call on the services of walk-on Derrick Brodus.

The only problem? Instead of standing on the sidelines waiting for his unlikely turn, Brodus was at home, sitting on the couch, watching TV.

“We didn’t have a kicker,” Dooley said. “And we had to make a call to the frat house. This is no lie. We called the frat house and had a policeman go get him.”

Another plus for the Vols: Brodus was sober.

“Let’s get a call to Brodus,” Dooley recalled telling his staff, “and it’s a good thing he wasn’t having too much Saturday afternoon (fun). I told the coaches, ‘Hey, an intoxicated Brodus is better than nobody.

“Just get him here and we’ll do a Breathalyzer. Fortunately, he didn’t have anything bad.”

Brodus wasn’t called to duty until there was less than an hour left until kickoff. Despite the lack of prep time, he went 3-for-3 on extra points and nailed a 21-yard field goal in the Volunteers’ 24-0 win.

Brodus still can’t really believe it all.

Although he was not, as coach Dooley says, “intoxicated” for the game, we hope Brodus did his fair share of partying afterward.

Photo via

h/t CBS Sports

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