Dolly Parton is seemingly beloved by most people who know anything about her. She had a way of rising above the drama, making everyone feel included, and literally making the world a better place. Now, her place will be on the helmets of the University of Tennessee football players. Sort of.
To honor the country music queen (who, let's be real, transcended most genres of music -- she has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, after all), the Volunteers will wear a commemorative sticker in an homage to Parton. The sticker will be an orange butterfly with the signature of "Dolly" across it. The same symbol is seen at Dollywood, Parton's theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Maybe this is a way for UT to get involved in the aftermath of Parton's death on August 25 at the age of 80, but let's look at the positive side: Dolly Parton deserves all the accolades she can get, especially in the state of Tennessee.
Dolly Parton will be honored by the University of Tennessee Volunteers football team
She grew up poor in the Smoky Mountains and was able to establish herself not only as a wonderful entertainer but also as an elite songwriter. She wasn't someone who took the money given and did nothing with it. She bought a theme park, sure, and that made her a lot of money, but she also established a foundation that helped millions of children receive books.
She never did good works to draw attention to herself, either. Parton might have been involved in the public relations side of her philanthropy, but she knew her name, image, and likeness would help the foundation meet the needs of those who needed it.
Dolly Parton was intelligent, self-aware, and managed to walk the thin line of fame by being a genuinely great human being. If the Tennessee Volunteers football team wants to honor her by having a sticker on the helmets, who is to argue against it? That is the least they can do.
For Dolly. 🦋
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) August 31, 2026
A commemorative helmet sticker will be worn to honor Dolly Parton for every game this season. pic.twitter.com/A1mBw9ZqxZ
One wouldn't be surprised if the university went well beyond the sticker. Perhaps a Dolly tribute in some manner before the first home game. And the sports involvement shouldn't stop there.
The NFL's Tennessee Titans should have their own tribute. Parton wasn't just the Queen of East Tennessee, but a fantastic human being who represented the entire state, and, well...the best of humanity.
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