Automatic reading

Thumbnails poster

Show captions

Last slide next

Phillip Fulmer celebrates with the 1998 championship team during a match between Tennessee and Florida at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 22, 2018.(Photo: Calvin Mattheis / News Sentinel NFS)

As Fred White exchanged stories and jokes with his teammates of The Tennessee National Championship team in 1998 this weekend, he realized that not many things have changed in 20 years.

"We are still a family," said the former Safety Flights on Saturday.

Members of the last National Flight Team met Friday, and were honored on Saturday as part of the Tennessee match against Florida at Neyland Stadium.

Team captains – Shawn Bryson, Jeff Hall, Mercedes Hamilton and Al Wilson – were recognized as "the legends of the game" about 20 minutes before the kickoff against the Gators. The team and staff were also honored in the field at the end of the first quarter.

"An incredible achievement. An incredible feat with incredible guys. We had a great team, "said Wilson, former linebacker of the Vols.

TO CLOSE

Former Tennessee linebacker Al Wilson is reflected in the 1998 National Championship of Flight
Blake Toppmeyer, USA NETWORK TODAY – HUI – Tennessee

"People say they will not appreciate until you get older. It's an absolute truth. Twenty years later, I really appreciate it, because now you understand how difficult it is to win a national championship and stay undefeated. "

It is normal that the recognition of the team is done during the week of Florida. For many, the 17-17 overtime victory against the Gators – after which the goals were eliminated – is still superior to UTC's 23-16 win over Florida State at the Fiesta Bowl to win the national title.

"This match in Florida, to me, has taken us to the next level," Wilson said.

TO CLOSE

Tennessee celebrates its 1998 national title team on Saturday before facing Florida.
Mike Wilson, USA NETWORK TODAY – HUI – Tennessee

He broke the series of five consecutive defeats from Tennessee to the Gators.

"It was just a dynamic match," said Travis Stephens.

It was one of five games that the Vols have won this season by eight points or less.

"We did not think we could lose this season," said White. "We rolled so much."

LOOKING BACK: The current UT Flights is part of something bigger with the 1998 National Championship team honored

RELIVING 1998: At night Gators, the goals fell

Tennessee head coach Phil Fulmer celebrates on stage
Al Wilson of Tennessee Leads in Prayer After the Flights
Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer and quarterback Tee

Buy a photo

Tennssee head coach Phil Fulmer holds the national team

Buy a photo

University of Tennessee Receiver Peerless Price and

Buy a photo

Dashboard Shows Victory Of Florida Flights

Buy a photo

Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer is sprinkled with Tostitos
UT fans go wild after victory over Florida

Buy a photo

Fans of the University of Tennessee applaud the Flights

Buy a photo

The players of Flights celebrate after a bag of UT against Florida

Buy a photo

Florida State Jared Jones (11) intercepts a ball in

Buy a photo

Peerless Price, Tennessee catcher, scored a touchdown

Buy a photo

Tennessee receiver Peerless Price (37) runs for
Travis Stephens races against FSU (11) Bobby

Buy a photo

Tee Martin throws during the Fiesta Bowl. UT beat

Buy a photo

Tennessee is a tea back Dwayne Goodrich goes the

Buy a photo

27-year-old Al Wilson of Tennessee fires FSU quarterback
The University of Tennessee quarterback, Tee Martin, is

Buy a photo

The Tennessee defense overthrows the quarterback of the former USSR Marcus Outzen

Buy a photo

Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer tries to get his

Buy a photo

University of Tennessee Traitsman Travis Henry wins

Buy a photo

Tennessee running back Travis Henry clears his way through

Buy a photo

Dwayne Goodrich, Tennessee, celebrates with the team

Buy a photo

23-year-old Dwayne Goodrich recalls interception for

Buy a photo

Steve Johnson of the FSU is overwhelmed by the defense of Tennessee

Buy a photo

Steve Johnson of UT (34) intercepts a pass to

Buy a photo

Tennessee side defenseman Shawn Byson is congratulated after

Buy a photo

Shawn Bryson of Tennessee Escapes Plating for the First Time at UT

Buy a photo

John Finlayson from Tennessee with a fumble

Buy a photo

Dwayne Goodrich from Tennessee works against Peter from FSU

Buy a photo

Tennessee DB Deon Grant seeks to conclude RB Travis from FSU

Buy a photo

Tennessee Fans Applaud Flights to Sun Devil Stadium

Buy a photo

The University of Tennessee group is set on fire before

Buy a photo

The Sun Devil Stadium field team gives the turf

Buy a photo

Tennessee quarterback Tee Martin wants to pass

Automatic reading

Thumbnails poster

Show captions

Last slide next