How Tennessee football will honor Wes Rucker in Neyland Stadium press box

Tennessee football will honor the late Wes Rucker in the Neyland Stadium press box with his family, fellow sports reporters and UT media relations staff before kickoff of the 2026 season opener.

Rucker, 43, died in a car crash in Knoxville on Feb. 19. The 18th-ranked Vols will play Furman (1-0) on Sept. 5 (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+/SEC Network+).

It will be Tennessee's first football game since Rucker's death. And the Tom Elam Press Box unfortunately will be a little quieter without Rucker, the wise-cracking, award-winning sports writer who covered University of Tennessee athletics starting in 2000.

Shortly before kickoff of the Furman game, UT will hold a private dedication for Rucker in the press box. His wife Lauren, son Hank and daughter Rose will be in attendance. They'll be surrounded by Rucker's friends who cover the Vols.

"This will be my first game ever in Neyland without Wes being there watching from this seat," Lauren Rucker posted on X on Sept. 5. "But I know he's watching over us from an even higher vantage point this season and sending us hot takes in the wind. Love you forever, Wes."

Tennessee placed Rucker's photo at his empty seat in the press box with a message familiar to him on X.

"As we begin our 130th season, we remember the late Wes Rucker and welcome you to 'General Neyland's Big Ol' Damn House of Football,' " UT football posted, referencing how Rucker often referred to his gameday workplace at Neyland Stadium.

Rucker covered Tennessee athletics for multiple media outlets. He was a senior writer for 247Sports and most recently served as a writer and host for WBIR in Knoxville. He was a graduate of Knoxville Catholic High and University of Tennessee.

After Rucker's death, Tennessee fans and sports reporters around the country flooded his family with love and support. A GoFundMe established by the family raised $783,000 for Lauren, Hank and Rose. T-shirts were sold to raise additional money. And sports reporters who worked with Rucker throughout the years made additional private donations to honor him.

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com . X, formerly known as Twitter @AdamSparks . Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe .

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