Steve Spurrier honored at Tennessee spring football game
Former South Carolina football coach was honored Saturday as part of Tennessee’s annual spring game.
Spurrier was named the 2016 recipient of the Neyland Trophy. According to the University of Tennessee, “The Neyland Trophy is awarded annually by the Knoxville Quarterback Club to an outstanding man who has contributed greatly to intercollegiate athletics.”
Longtime national college football sportscaster Brent Musburger received the Lindsey Nelson Broadcasting Award from the Vols.
The award presentation was made at the East Tennessee Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame brunch at The Foundry in Knoxville. Spurrier and Musburger were then honored on the field during pregame ceremonies before Tennessee’s Orange & White Game.
Spurrier received mostly applause and cheers, with some boos, from the Neyland Stadium crowd.
Spurrier’s storied college football head coaching career included stops at Duke (1987-1989), Florida (1990-2001) and South Carolina (2005-2015), as he amassed an all-time record of 228-29-2, won seven conference championships (6 SEC, 1 ACC) and led the Gators to the 1996 National Championship.
The winningest coach in both Florida and South Carolina football history, Spurrier has won more games than any head coach in the SEC besides Alabama’s Paul “Bear” Bryant.
Steve Spurrier welcomed with cheers after receiving the Robert Neyland Award before today's game. " name="spellmarker931" style="border-bottom-width:2px; border-bottom-style:dotted; border-bottom-color:red">https://twitter.com/wbir">@wbir pic.twitter.com/u52IkgJ80p
— WBIR Sports (@WBIRSports) April 16, 2016
The reception for Steve Spurrier was totally lukewarm. A few boos, a few cheers, and that was it.
— Charlie Burris (@Charlie_Burris) April 16, 2016
Steve Spurrier actually receives applause at Neyland Stadium. Heard some boos, but fewer than you'd think.
— Dustin Dopirak (@TennesseeBeat) April 16, 2016
Steve Spurrier booed and applauded at induction ceremony. pic.twitter.com/fai6z3RXI7
— JohnMadewell (@johnmadewellNC9) April 16, 2016
Former " name="spellmarker980" style="border-bottom-width:2px; border-bottom-style:dotted; border-bottom-color:red">https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vols?src=hash">#Vols head coach Johnny Majors visits with former Florida/ South Carolina Coach Steve Spurrier. " name="spellmarker983" style="border-bottom-width:2px; border-bottom-style:dotted; border-bottom-color:red">https://twitter.com/wbir">@wbir pic.twitter.com/LSmo8Wi7FQ
— WBIR Sports (@WBIRSports) April 16, 2016
"Butch Jones and the staff here do a great job. They (Tennessee) may be ready for a breakout year." - Steve Spurrier
— Houston Kress (@VolRumorMill) April 16, 2016
Spurrier just called him Robert Nay-land... But did say that it's one of the greatest awards he's ever received.
— Houston Kress (@VolRumorMill) April 16, 2016
Me and Coach Spurrier at National Football Foundation Banquet in Knoxville. pic.twitter.com/6noORAkABu
— Richard Helton (@CoachRCHelton) April 16, 2016
This story was originally published April 16, 2016 at 3:38 PM with the headline "Steve Spurrier honored at Tennessee spring football game."