Much of the United States and the world has been in mourning since the passing of the multitalented Dolly Parton earlier this month. As the tributes and memorials continue to pour in, a college football team in Parton's home state has debuted a new nod to the singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist. The Tennessee Volunteers unveiled on Monday a new sticker for players' helmets.
"A commemorative helmet sticker will be worn to honor Dolly Parton for every game this season," the team wrote on social media. The sticker is a butterfly — Parton's chosen symbol — in Volunteer orange, as well as her signature across the middle of the sticker. Fans — not just of Tennessee but of the sport and Parton in general — have lauded the sticker's design, begging for it be publicly available.
Donate the proceeds to Imagination library," wrote Thomas Maner in response to Tennessee's post. "You won’t be able to keep up with [the] orders." Outside of huge hits like "I Will Always Love You," "9 to 5" and "Jolene," Parton might best be remembered for the Imagination Library. The book gifting program has reached children in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada and Australia, helping build literacy rates among children.
As of 2024, about one in seven American children under the age of 5 received a book from the program through the mail each month. That's more than 2 million books each month and a total of over 200 million books. It's a legacy the people of Tennessee won't soon forget, Volunteers head coach Josh Huepel recently said in a press conference.
"I'd be remiss if I didn't also talk about the passing of Dolly Parton," he said. "All that she's meant across the world, this country and certainly the Queen of East Tennessee and a lady that was extremely proud of her roots. You look at her impact, her ability to give back, make an impact to people certainly here in East Tennessee.
She means a lot to people across this country but certainly here inside the state of Tennessee, too. So we'll be wearing a sticker patch on the back of our helmet to recognize her accomplishments and everything that she's meant and impact here on the state of Tennessee."
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