DerekOwingsBurner

I say often: The most underreported part of collegiate athletics is the incredible character of the young people playing the games. Example: I spent 15 minutes Monday with @Vol_Football LB Arion Carter, who is leveraging his immense talent to raise money this season for cancer charities. Following the 2025 season, Carter declared for the 2026 NFL draft, but a foot injury sent him back to UT for another season. Ahead of the combine, he'd taken a $427 flight to a workout, paid for by an agency. He repaid the $427 and self-reported it to the NCAA. The NCAA still suspended him for the first game of the 2026 season. "I understand that rules are rules," Carter said. "I understood I can't control those circumstances I got put in. But I can control my emotions, how I deal with it, how I address the situation and carry myself. I chose to understand God had a bigger plan for me -- and when I do come back, knowing what I will do." Rather than sulk, he chose to use the setback for good, in honor of his girlfriend Mariah Bryant, who had been diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. He donates $427 for every tackle, $500 for every TFL, $1000 for every INT and $5000 for every defensive touchdown. He tells me folks impacted by cancer contact him, inspired by his initiative to help those in need. "A lot of people live blue collar lives, that go to work every day and don't make the amount of money that some of these college kids make in NIL, and have to pay for these medical bills and go through these difficult things," Carter said. "A lot of people don't understand that frustration. It impacts people in ways we don't even know -- especially financially. So when they come to me and tell me that they were struggling to pay bills and have to raise three kids, and then do (extra) to make ends meet, and still worry about their own health while taking care of other people, it means the world to me to be able to help and let them know that are people in the world who do care, and want to see people like them, who do go through tragic things, that we have their back." So far in 2026, Carter has raised $27,193. An amazing example for us all. We talk NIL/portal/expansion incessantly, but I talk to players in-person and by phone every week, and invariably leave every conversation so impressed.