Look back on 65 years of Smokey

Smokey has lead the Vols through the "T" onto Shields-Watkins Field for 65 years.

It's not Tennessee's longest standing tradition, but the beloved pup was a clear favorite. Back in 1953, after General Neyland stepped down, the University of Tennessee started looking for a mascot and had its eyes set on a hound. So, they held a contest and let the students decide. Rev. Bill Brooks brought in his prize-winning Bluetick Coonhound.

"Bill was sort of a prankster and kind of kicked at Smokey to make him bark, and Smokey got in front of the crowd and started barking. The crowd cheered, he barked, the crowd cheered some more and there was no doubt in anyone's mind who would win the contest," said Vol historian, Tom Mattingly.

His name back then was Brooks Blue Smokey.

"One fan said let's just call him Smokey, and that's what they did and that was Smokey One and there's been nine more over the last 65 years," said Mattingly.

The ten Smokeys have had quite the checkered past.

In 1955, Smokey II was dog kidnapped by University of Kentucky fans for a week, but UT got him back right before the game.

Then, he crossed paths with Judge the Baylor bear at the 1957 Sugar Bowl.

"The bear was big, and Smokey was not big, and the bear took a couple swats at Smokey, and Smokey growled at the bear and finally they pulled them apart," said Mattingly.

He died after eating a chocolate pie after the Kentucky game in 1963.

Then, in the 1999 Fiesta Bowl, Smokey VIII got sick and had to have emergency surgery.

"Somehow, he got a hold of a washcloth, and swallowed it and they pulled it out of him, sewed him back up and took him to the game," explained Mattingly. "And he was fine!"

Smokey IX seemed to have it out for the Tide. He nipped at one of the players who rolled into him during warm-ups.

"Didn't draw blood, but the Alabama folks were really exercised about it, they talked about it on his post game press conference that the dog had nipped at one of his players," said Mattingly.

Smokey X watches the games on Saturdays in the southeast corner of Neyland Stadium right next to the goal line.

"He's just a part of the landscape at UT," said Mattingly.