The Surprising Reason Joey Aguilar Took Center Stage After Tennessee’s Shocking Win Over Florida

There’s something truly captivating when a player transcends the game and becomes part of its lore—and Joey Aguilar just etched his name right alongside Tennessee football greats in a way that’s as heartwarming as it is unexpected. After leading the Vols to a monumental win at Florida, it wasn’t the scoreboard or the classic Gator chomp that stole the spotlight. No, it was Aguilar climbing a stepladder, baton in hand, commanding the Pride of the Southland Band through a spirited rendition of “Rocky Top.” The moment? Pure magic—a blend of humility, surprise, and tradition that harkens back to legends like Peyton Manning and Hendon Hooker. This wasn’t just a victory on the field; it was a poetic nod to the soul of Tennessee football. Curious how this all unfolded? LEARN MORE

Joey Aguilar had a signature Tennessee football moment at Florida.

It wasn’t the win nor the Gator chomp. It came after both as the Vols quarterback climbed a stepladder in front of the Pride of the Southland Band and directed “Rocky Top.”

“I felt like I was in drum line, the leader,” Aguilar said. “He asked me if I wanted to do it. I didn’t know what I was doing. He just told me to follow the guy next to me and I did. It was pretty cool. It was fun.”

Aguilar followed in the footsteps of Peyton Manning and Hendon Hooker with the moment. Manning famously directed the band on his senior day in 1997. Hooker did likewise, paying homage to Manning on his own senior day in 2022.

Dr. Michael Stewart, the director of the Pride of the Southland Band, got Aguilar into the band area of the stadium following the playing of the Tennessee waltz. Aguilar hopped to the top of the stepladder as the band transitioned into “Rocky Top,” which it played frequently during the historic win.

The No. 20 Vols (8-3, 5-3 SEC) won 31-11 against the Gators (3-8, 2-6) on Nov. 22 at The Swamp for its first win in the venue since 2003 and matching its largest win at Florida in program history. It won 20-0 in 1955 and had only won by double-digits twice previously.

Aguilar was 17-for-22 passing for 204 yards and a touchdown. He started the game 9-for-9 for 126 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter as the Vols opened a big lead.

Aguilar is in his first season with the Vols after transferring from Appalachian State via UCLA. Hooker also was a transfer quarterback for the Vols under coach Josh Heupel, while Manning is the biggest legend the program has produced.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Joey Aguilar led Tennessee band after beating Florida