Richie Ward

Software guy, adventure lover, Tennessee Volunteers football 🍊

[Hendon Hooker @henhook2]

🎱 is The Chosen One

[Jason DeBolt ⚡️ @jasondebolt]

If you don’t have a sincere, genuine burning desire to do something, don’t do it.

If you cannot study something nonstop for hours, forgetting to eat and use the bathroom, it’s not your calling.

If it requires a great deal of discipline and procrastination, it’s probably either not your thing or you don’t have a clear enough reason for doing it.

A bit of discipline is a good crutch in the beginning, but at some point discipline and procrastination ought to be replaced by a genuine desire.

[Boyd Myers @boydmyers]

Today in pickleball, a lady brought her 13 year old special needs son out with her.

She made it a point to let us know that he didn’t want to play, but it was pretty obvious that he was fascinated by the game. He stood right by the court, running back and forth, watching every shot.

He would congratulate us on good shots, and bump us up if he was close. I loved his energy.

After a few games, I asked him if he wanted to play and he said “I can’t. I am not good”.

I told him “Of course you’re good. And you’re my partner.”

We played a couple of younger guys and they weren’t taking it easy on him. I am sure he didn’t want them to, but they went after him with any shot they could.

So when I had the chance, I went after them. Hard.

My partner (Alex) was doing the best he could. He had said he had never played and a lot of his balls either went into the net or sailed way long.

I didn’t mind. I just wanted him to have fun and realize he COULD do anything he wanted.

Still, eventually some how we were tied at 9 (game to 11) and I was serving.

On the first serve, we volleyed for a few seconds, when one of the other guys popped a lob up to Alex.

He absolutely crushed it straight between them for his first point. We all kinda looked at each other like “Where tf did that come from???”

He celebrated as if he had just won the US Open. It literally gave me a chill, but we still had one more point to go.

I told him “Let’s get one more, buddy.”

I served again, very similar sequence, and then one of the guys hit a soft dink to his left. I honestly assumed it was going to be good and the serve would go back to their side.

Alex chased it down, and was able to hit the a backhand just hard enough to catch the top of the net and barely roll over for the game winning point.

He absolute exploded after the ball bounced and we had won. I was shocked. I walked over to tell him great shot, and this 13 year old kid hugged me like I had never been hugged, literally picking me up off the ground and holding me there for a couple of seconds.

To be honest, this was one game that I didn’t care if we won or lost, but I have zero doubt that Alex will never, ever forget how those few minutes felt.

I can be an absolute ruthless competitor. Hell, I can be a dick. I mean, I don’t let my 5 year old daughter win at Candyland. But this morning, I remembered why I fell in love with sports to begin with, and the sheer joy one can attain from competition.

I stick out like a sore thumb in our Saturday morning group. I look like a linebacker playing with a bunch of skinny college kids, retired teachers, dentists, and bankers.

But when his mother mouthed “Thank you” to me, I couldn’t hide the tears that poured out from under my sunglasses.

Truth be told, those few minutes did as much for me as they did for Alex.

Y’all have a great Saturday.

[V͎O͎L͎d͎e͎m͎o͎r͎t͎ @vo_ldemort]

6 more days until this absolute MAN CHILD is unleashed. If you have a radar, he’s about to be on it.

[Steve Gutzler @SteveGutzler]

Build up the people on your team. #Teambuilding #Empowerment #Inspire #Leadership

[Thoughts of Dog @dog_feelings]

reasons. i should be your valentine:

6. lots of cuddle experience
2. i have been told. i am cute
9. i will protect you. from evildoers
3. convenience. i am right here
5. i don’t have a valentine yet

[Tennessee Football @Vol_Football]

🗣️🗣️ OUR COACH!! 🍊

#GBO 🍊

[𝙋𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙤𝙣 @AgilePeter]

When I eat, we all eat.
When I lose, I lose by myself.

This is reality.
Choose wisely.

[Tiny Buddha @tinybuddha]

Your impact on other people is bigger than you think. Someone still giggles when they think of that funny thing you said. Someone still smiles when they think of the compliment you gave them. Someone silently admires you. The advice you give has made a difference for people...

[V͎O͎L͎d͎e͎m͎o͎r͎t͎ @vo_ldemort]

Come for the catch, stay for the dope ass signaling of a first down

[Richie Ward @richiecw]

When @Vol_Football plays Clemson in the Orange Bowl, we will have played all 4 of the prior national champs in a single season. We’re 2-1 against those teams; chance to make it 3-1. Talk to me more about strength of schedule and "quality losses" #VolTwitter #GBO #CFBPlayoff #Vols

[Rocky Top Insider @rockytopinsider]

Tennessee’s Josh Heupel is the SEC Coach of the Year.

[World of Engineering @engineers_feed]

Dear person reading this. We don't know each other but I wish you the best in life.

[Coach Lance @CoachLanceUT]

Sure feels amazing to be ranked in the Top 10 in football and basketball. @AD_DannyWhite is building a monster at @UTKnoxville! If you’re a recruit or transfer, Knoxville should be your first (and last) visit. 🔥🍊

[Richie Ward @richiecw]

@CoachLanceUT He should be in NY and he should win.

[Coach Lance @CoachLanceUT]

Heisman voters missed a valuable opportunity to reward a young man who changed a football program. He produced elite numbers, made few mistakes, was the MVP of his team, and did it all with courage, leadership, and character. Not claiming he should win, but he should be in NY. 🧡

[Drunk Vol Fan @DrunkVolFan]

the most orangest orange bowl in orange bowl history.

let’s go have fun flipping burgers baby

[Austin Brown @Austin_Vols]

Tennessee beat Alabama and kept them out of the college football playoff

On a Tennessee Saturday night

[Richie Ward @richiecw]

LET’S GO!!!

[Rocky Top Now @rockytopnow]

THE. STAGE. IS. SET. ‼️

#6 Tennessee vs #10 Clemson in the Capital One Orange Bowl! 🍊🍿

The matchup a lot of people have been waiting on… Game will be played at Hard Rock stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Huge chance for Tennessee to get a big win to cap off this season!

[Cedric Tillman @Ctillman04]

Enough is enough. Hendon Hooker 🤷🏾‍♂️