NASHVILLE, TN — In a move being hailed as a celebration of quarterback greatness—and simultaneously sparking outrage among fans of ground-and-pound football—the Tennessee Titans and the University of Tennessee jointly announced the formation of their All-Quarterback Century Team in a historic ceremony at Nissan Stadium this afternoon.
Calling it a “massive moment for Tennessee football heritage,” Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk and University of Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman stood side by side as they introduced the first-ever cross-program commemorative team. Designed to honor 100 years of quarterback excellence in the state, the team is a who’s who of iconic signal-callers.
The roster includes NFL legends like Steve McNair and Marcus Mariota, college icons like Peyton Manning, Condredge Holloway, Joshua Dobbs, and rising pros such as Will Levis and Hendon Hooker. What isn’t on the team, however, has fans and analysts buzzing: not a single running back was included.
“This is about the arm, the mind, the leadership of the quarterback position,” said Titans GM Ran Carthon. “This state has built its football legacy through its QBs. This team is a tribute to that legacy—and only that legacy.”
The backlash was swift.
Many expected the team, while quarterback-centric in theme, would at least make room for legendary Tennessee running backs like Eddie George, Travis Henry, Reggie Cobb, and Chris Johnson—especially after Johnson became just the sixth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season.
But the selection committee made it clear: this team is quarterbacks-only.
“This isn’t a snub,” insisted committee member and longtime Tennessee broadcaster Bob Kesling. “It’s a standalone honor for a single position group. This is the quarterback century, after all.”
Fans on social media weren’t so forgiving.
“Chris Johnson literally ran a 4.24 and carried the Titans on his back. What more does a man have to do?” tweeted one fan. Another user posted a meme of Derrick Henry stiff-arming defenders with the caption, “Guess this never happened?”
Even Eddie George, now head coach at Tennessee State, weighed in diplomatically: “I respect the idea. But the history of Tennessee football can’t be told without the guys who carried the rock.”
Despite the controversy, the event was a star-studded affair, featuring video tributes from NFL Hall of Famers, former college coaches, and a surprise appearance by Peyton Manning, who called it “a true honor to be part of such a historic tribute to Tennessee quarterbacks.”
Still, many are calling for a follow-up team—perhaps an All-Backfield Team—to balance out what critics say is a lopsided legacy narrative.
Until then, it seems Tennessee has thrown its full support behind the most glamorous position in football—and left its running backs in the dust.
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