KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — As a lifelong Tennessee Football fan, Josh Hazelwood has learned to stay loyal even when things don't work out in favor of the Vols. No one taught Hazelwood that more than his papaw, Carol.
"Even if things go bad, you're gonna put the orange on next week, and he always did," said Hazelwood. "He always had a Tennessee hat on everywhere he went."
Vol football was their strongest bond, but his papaw loved any team wearing orange and white.
"He's just all Vol everything. If Tennessee played it, he'd sit down and watch it," said Hazelwood.
In 2021, Hazelwood's papaw died from cancer.
"He was almost like a second dad to me growing up," said Hazelwood. "We miss him every day."
So, how far would you go to stay connected to someone you love? For Hazelwood, it started with an orange spray can and some leftover wood. From those materials, a smaller version of the famous checkerboard endzones in Neyland Stadium was born.
"What really inspired it was the 2022 season," said Hazelwood. "I hated that he wasn't here to actually see it and take it in. I've continued the tradition last year and continuing it this year as well. It kinda keeps him involved even though he's not here."
Hazelwood checks the checkerboards every other week during the football season, making sure the details are perfect. He even uses the spray paint color "real orange" because he said, "Tennessee orange is real orange."
While painting, Hazelwood reminisces about every moment he has spent with his papaw, especially when discussing football on the porch.
"I think about all the good times we had together," said Hazelwood. "I know he'd be out on the porch if he were still here with us."
Papaw was already a Vol for life, but his grandson is making sure he's a Vol forever.
"He is all Vol everything, always wearing the orange and white," said Hazelwood. "What better way to keep his legacy and our relationship alive than putting the checkboards there for him?"