Clay Travis

Now, I am not from Knoxville. I'm not even from Tennessee. I grew up in Dallas. Football for Dallas is the Cowboys. And even that is hugely contested. So coming to Knoxville where it feels like everyone spends their Saturdays sitting on the sidelines of a Volunteer game is very different. I’m not use to regularly hearing Rocky Top every Friday at 5 on the radio. I’m not use to the entire town shutting down on game day. I’m not use to the giant sea of orange that seems to cover the city from September to December every year. Oh, and what is the reasoning behind calling Tennessee the Big Orange Army and why is there a tank that kind of functions as a mascot? After 3 years, I’m still not use to it, but I am working on understanding it.
So I do what I do best – I read about it.
Clay Travis has written two books that delve into this “strange” phenomenon. His first book, Dixieland Delight: A Football Season on the Road in the Southeastern Conference is his journey into the SEC season of 2006. He follows the team on all their games, home and away, while chronicling the adventures he has. His third book, On Rocky Top: A Front-Row Seat to the End of an Era documents the struggles the Vols faced in 2008. I’m still working through the books, because, to be honest – I’m a stereotypical girl who never really followed football (unless it was Superbowl Sunday). But his writing is very easy to read and keeps even a football novice entertained.

And the best thing?

He is going to be in the store tomorrow from 12 – 2 for a book signing. It should be all sorts of fun. You should come by if you are in the area!