Photo by Amy Smotherman Burgess

Kenny Chesney poses for a photo opportunitywith University of Florida cheerleaders during the recent Vols-Gators game in Gainesville. Chesney says it’s not as bad as it looks.

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Kenny Chesney, who'll be at Neyland Stadium tonight to see the Vols play, isn't oblivious to what a vocal segment of football fans are saying about him in Knoxville.

Some say he's a traitor.

Others say he's selling out.

Then there are those who say he's turned his back on the Big Orange.

"I'm taking this as seriously as it needs to be taken," Chesney said. "I take it with a grain of salt."

Such talk began in March after Chesney performed in Gainesville, Fla., the home of the University of Florida Gators, one of the University of Tennessee's fiercest Southeastern Conference rivals. At a concert there, Gator football fans came up on stage and put their team's helmet on Chesney's head.

With the helmet firmly in place, Chesney continued to entertain the crowd, who loved the sight of seeing their favorite country music star wearing the symbol of their pride.

But when word got back to Knoxville, many Vols fans were angry with Chesney, a native of Luttrell.

Local fan anger was raised again in September when Chesney attended this year's Vols-Gator game in Gainesville, which the Vols lost, 59-20. There, he was spotted mingling with Florida supporters and seen posing for photographs with cheerleaders and the mascot for the Gators.

Fans reacted to Chesney's behavior by posting comments on knoxnews.com on Friday.

"I have no problem with his singing and who his fans are, just don't call yourself the No. 1 Vol fan and act like he acted in order not to offend his 'other' fans. When you are standing on the sidelines at a UT game, saying you're the No. 1 fan, your actions should line up with your words," one reader posted.

Chesney said he heard reports that listeners called local country music station WIVK-FM 107.7 and asked the station to stop playing his songs. WIVK operations manager Mike Hammond said Friday he isn't aware of such complaints on-air, but he did receive about half a dozen e-mails.

"I understand people being angry. I really do," Chesney said in a telephone interview. "But for them to get on a radio station and question my loyalty to the tradition and the history of Tennessee football is childish."

Other readers posting on knoxnews.com Friday were supportive of Chesney.

"I could (not) care less whether Kenny Chesney wears a Gator helmet or has his picture made with a mascot and some Gator cheerleaders. I might even do the latter with the cheerleaders. He's got a fan base that is worldwide," another reader posted.

The majority of listeners' reactions at WIVK were siding with Chesney, Hammond said.

A spokeswoman for the UT Athletics Department said Friday she had not heard negative reaction among the administration to Chesney's actions.

The award-winning singer said he is putting the local backlash in perspective.

"There are more things going on in the world than this," Chesney said. "I love Tennessee football. I love East Tennessee. I can't believe I have to sit here and defend myself over it."

More controversy could be coming with tonight's game. Chesney does not apologize for being friends with Steve Spurrier, the outspoken coach of the University of South Carolina Gamecocks.

"He's been to a lot of shows," Chesney said. "So if anybody sees me and Steve down on the sidelines, me saying 'hi' (to him), don't ask for my head on Monday morning on WIVK."

Terry Morrow may be reached at 865-342-6445.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel
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