Everything Orange

Jourdan Thomas

• Tennessee Athletics • Season 3 • Episode 23

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0:00 | 57:52

With spring practice underway on Rocky Top, Sarah Detwiler sits down with Tennessee football’s Jourdan Thomas on this week’s Everything Orange podcast.


Thomas, a 2026 Torchbearer Award recipient, reflects on the emotional moment when the surprise announcement unfolded in front of his teammates. From hearing his name called to experiencing a full-circle moment, he shares what the honor means to him and the perspective he’s gained along the way.


They then look back on his journey over the past two years, entering the 2024 season as a defensive leader before a devastating injury ended his playing career. Thomas walks through that moment, the challenges of recovery, and how he embraced a new role as a student assistant coach, continuing to lead and impact the team from the sidelines while staying connected to his teammates.


Beyond football, Thomas discusses the impact he’s made across campus through leadership, academics, and service. From his involvement in student-athlete organizations to giving back through the 1Tenn ministry, he explains how those experiences have shaped his growth and broadened his perspective beyond the game.


Looking ahead, Thomas shares his excitement for graduation this spring and what’s next, along with a message for anyone facing adversity. He reflects on the legacy he hopes to leave and the purpose he’s found, a story that extends far beyond football.


SPEAKER_02

Something that's so cool about this award is that it had little to do with football. I couldn't play again. I still can't even run. I'm a part of this program and I love this program with everything in my body. It had little to do with football. And that's amazing to me because I want my guys to know it's all about who you are. Who you are is more important than what you do.

SPEAKER_00

Alright, we have a uh special guest right here. My Dr. Toby Small. I'm here when they come from the president's office. You know it's a big day over here, alright?

SPEAKER_01

Well, good afternoon. Well, first of all, I'm here to make a special announcement. I'm gonna ask Danny White to come up when I saw Danny here a second ago. So when you think about the University of Tennessee, leadership is one of our core values, right? Leadership is the willingness to act. And so today I'm here to award a torch bearer. The torch bearer is the highest award that any undergraduate student can receive at the university. It's based on what they do in the classroom, it's based on who they are as people, it's based on the influence that they make across the campus, across their college, and across the. And so we have a torch bearer right here amongst us. And so I want you all to join me in anything, congratulating and celebrating join from the man this is so surreal, man.

SPEAKER_03

Um to be able to celebrate this award with you all, everyone on this field today. It means so much to me, man. It means so much to me, man. Y'all know what I done been through my story. And the Lord just really just amazed me, Lord. It just amazed me, and for me to be able to do it with y'all, um, to be able to point to y'all still, to be able to be here on this field, to be able to interact and to serve y'all guys every day. It means the world to me. It means the world to me. I truly am appreciative of every one of y'all. I love you guys. I love you guys, man. I'm so I'm I'm sorry.

SPEAKER_00

How do you handle anything that comes into your life and uh you make an impact on the people around you? Really probably everybody gotta make an impact. There we go, we gotta fucking up.

SPEAKER_06

Hey everyone, welcome back to the Everything Orange Podcast. It's crazy to think that next Saturday, the 2026 volunteers will be playing in Nyland Stadium for their spring game already. So this is your reminder if you haven't gotten your ticket yet, go ahead on the UT Sports website and grab them to free. So why not just go grab them? But with that being said, we have a very special guest on the podcast today, whose journey started at tendency just like any other student athlete. However, with an unexpected turn of events, it changed the trajectory of his life. And he's here to talk with us about his story. It's one of resilience, it's one of leadership, and it's one of impact, and that's also culminated in a special moment with him receiving a 2026 Torch Bear Award. So please welcome to the Everything Launch Podcast.

SPEAKER_02

It's very nice to be here too.

SPEAKER_06

And I'm so happy to have you here. I don't want to get too far into the podcast without first giving you a huge congratulations because a couple weeks ago it was announced that you were a 2026 Torch Bearer recipient this year, one of nine students at the University of Tennessee. It's an unbelievable honor, and I'm sure a moment that you're still processing, right?

SPEAKER_02

Definitely. Most definitely.

SPEAKER_06

What did you think when you were able to walk away from that moment and get some time to yourself to really reflect on what just happened?

SPEAKER_02

Well, it took me some time to really reflect on what just happened, but uh man, I walked away from that moment just overly thankful, man, and grateful uh for the Lord put me on this specific journey that he has for me. All the ups and downs, um, all the trials, all the mountains, all the valleys, all the lessons learned. Um, I'm just grateful for every moment. You know, looking back, when my injury first happened, man, it was like the worst thing that had ever happened happened to me. Um, but man, now it coming full circle, I truly see, you know, how good the Lord is. And I knew that throughout the whole, you know, throughout the whole time, but uh just to see it come full circle and him redeem the situation. And like I said, I I got rewarded and presented that award in the same exact place I got injured, which is mind-blowing. But it's just it's just a testament to how wonderful the Lord is, you know what I mean, and how everything works out for the good, you know. And so uh I walked away from that moment grateful, grateful that I got to spend it, you know, share it with my teammates, share it with my coaches and my football family. Um the guys that really saw me battle, that really saw me go through the fire, and they were with me. They were with me in it. They helped me out every day. And in turn, I tried to check on their hearts and make sure I poured in into them as well and not focus too much on what I have going on in my own situation. While that was hard, I just chose every day um to you know show up and be there for them. So I felt like that's what the Lord is calling me to do, and I think that's how he wants us, you know, to give back and to serve. And so uh that was my resolve. You know, every day it wasn't easy, but um, I'm glad I chose that approach and that's something I continue to do.

SPEAKER_06

To preface and give context to the situation for those that don't know. A couple weeks ago, after practice, Tyvi Small from the Chancellor's Cabinet and a couple of other people from Thornton Center and Jenny White, and there was a whole crowd there that came to the end of practice. And he's getting in front of everybody, giving this surprise announcement to the group.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah.

SPEAKER_06

At what point though, did you realize, hold on, wait a minute, like this is for me right now?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, you can kind of see it in the video. They just they just dropped um because I was I had I was mouth dropped by my mouth. And that was the exact moment where I knew um and it and that it hit me that, oh wow, this is actually happening right now. You know, I knew I was the only um person from the football team nominated.

SPEAKER_04

Okay.

SPEAKER_02

And so um, you know, that that happened a few months ago. Uh and so I knew I was the only one nominated. And so really, man, when I got nominated, I started like just really going back and looking at all the previous torch bearers and um that have won and their experiences and how uh, you know, they they pop up and s and surprise you wherever you are, which is so amazing. I love the way they do it. And so I was, man, I it was many nights I went to sleep just, you know, thinking about it so heavily. And what if my it turned out like that for me? You know what I mean? What if they came to the field and popped up on me? This is after I got nominated, so I had a real shot at getting an award, you know what I mean? And so I started thinking like that afterwards, like, you know, what if what if that happened to me? What if they showed up on the practice field and man uh it happened just as I, you know, had dreamt it up? Yeah, dreamt it up, really. And it was amazing. Um it hit me when I seen I seen Toby first, and uh I seen all the folks behind him. Um then I seen him holding uh the I Will Give My All for Tennessee sign. I seen with with the light with the torch uh balloon, and uh, you know, I looked, I looked, I looked at, you know, my teammates and my coaches that was in my line sight of you. Um and I looked at him, and then I looked back at them, and then uh that's when it really hit me. Um and then I just I just broke down and wep, man, you know, because yeah, it was a long, long time coming, and it was uh it was a very hard journey. And everything, you know, that was um stored in my heart, uh all the all the suffering, all the pain and stuff, and uh it just came, it just came out, you know, it hit me just like that. And uh, you know, I put my head in between my my legs, man, I just started bawling before they can even call my name, before Tyve even called my name. And uh so that's when it hit me. And then uh, you know, it called me up and everybody went crazy, all my guys went crazy, that was awesome. But so grateful for that moment.

SPEAKER_06

It's an unbelievable moment. It's a really powerful moment, and to have it be in front of your teammates, like you mentioned, who had been there for you through it all, they're chanting your name, they're clapping, they're hooving, they're hollering, and you get to have a really special moment with them in front of them. What were you thinking? What were you feeling? I mean, I'm sure you almost probably blacked out in the process.

SPEAKER_02

I think I did. I think I did at one point in time. But uh all I could see, man, were guys' faces that really walked with me through it, you know. Um those guys, man, they they drove me around when I couldn't drive. I couldn't walk for months. Uh they were holding elevators for me. Uh they were getting lunch, down in Smokies, getting dinner down in Smokey's, uh, getting me in and out of tubs. Just just really assisting me in my daily living. When I looked, when I was up there, man, and I was speaking to them, I just couldn't help but to see, you know, guys that really walk with me and I, you know, I d I do life with them. And it just felt so intimate. You know, I think that's the best word, is it felt intimate. It felt like this award is not only for me, I'm I'm sharing this with every, you know, we have new guys as a part of the program as well, and new coaches. But um, and they've embraced me as well. And um, but the guys that's been here and the coaches that's been here, uh, the moment just felt so intimate. And I felt like, you know, this is where this is where it is just not for me. And this is for people that, you know, poured into me, you know, when I was, when I had suffered and um, you know, went through what I was going through, you know, and it just felt really intimate. And uh I was just grateful, man, to be able to share it with them. Uh you you truly couldn't have jumped it up or better, you know, um, it happened perfectly. Everything was perfect. Um and just so surreal. But yeah.

SPEAKER_06

When uh our video crew came downstairs and told me, because I really wanted to be there, I had a commitment during that time. They came downstairs and they're like, Sarah, you have to watch this. And I pulled it up, and literally I'm sitting there on my desk crying because I feel everything that you feel in that moment. It's so impactful. But you talked about how full circle it was for it to also happen in the same place that your injury occurred. What did it mean to you, the symbolism almost of that moment that you experienced in that place? You experienced one of the lowest lows, but also now one of the highest highs.

SPEAKER_02

It just goes back to the Lord's goodness and um how wonderful he is, really. Uh I don't even believe, man. We usually don't even break the huddle down on that end of the field, honestly. Um But that day we did, you know, and like I said, I didn't un I didn't realize that that was the place I got injured at until I got back to my locker and really started thinking about it. But um man, it just it just shows how wonderful he is and his mind and his wisdom that's above our human wisdom. Um and we don't always know you know understand why things go the way they do. Um but man, he d definitely does redeem all situations and he don't make no mistakes. And so uh it was just amazing and it just shows like just so grateful to God, really. I yeah, lost words, but who was the first person that you called afterwards? My mother. Yeah my mother and my brother. We did a uh three-way, we got a group chat. So yeah, and they was congratulating me, they was crying, and it was amazing. Um my mother and my brother there, my foundation, you know, really didn't have much coming up, you know. Um we struggled, but the Lord made a way. Um and my my mother and my brother, they they worked really hard, they sacrificed a lot for me. Um growing up. My brother made sure he uh kept me out of trouble, um, because I grew up in a rough environment, you know, and I seen things that was, you know, typical person don't usually see, but uh the Lord kept me safe through it all and my mom and my brother they they kept me on the right track. Like I'm talking about from when I was really young. I'm just starting uh pee-wee ball, termite, you know, um little league ball. Yeah. All the way to high school, you know. Um it was the same. Like they made sure I made every decision that was best for me. Well, they helped me do that. Um And it it's crazy. The high school that I ended up at, my brother, he ended up uh getting me there as well, um, because he emailed, I went to Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School. He emailed the head football coach there, um, there at the time, and was like, hey, I got my little brother, man. I want to get him on a on a great in a great program at it with with resources that's gonna help him become a better man and just evolve um in sports and in life. So my head coach that was there there at the time, Arvey Blackwell and um Coach Jay Kirk Johnson, they hit him back and we set up a tour day. So I ended up touring the school. I loved it, and I think I was in no later than a few few weeks after that. Um But my brother got me into that school and I wouldn't me being here right now, I I wouldn't have I probably wouldn't have been here if I wouldn't have gone to my Grammy Catholic. Um but that's my brother, that's his heart, you know. And so um he made sure that I was in the right spot, you know. And so yeah, him and my mother, man, uh just celebrating that with them is is unexplainable. And so I'm just so grateful.

SPEAKER_06

You join a pretty special list, too, of football players who have received a Torchbearer Award, and specifically in the last 50 years, there's now three of y'all. It's Joshua Dobbs, it's Trey Smith, and it's Jordan Thomas to join such an elite group like that and know the impact that they had here and they continue to have in their respected careers, but also in the community. How cool is that for you?

SPEAKER_02

It's really cool. Yeah, it's really cool. And I'll tell you another thing. Um that this this award, you know, I had I got hurt and I couldn't play football again, right? There was no um I know I wasn't gonna produce anymore on the field. There wasn't any more stats that's gonna get put up, no more tackles, interceptions, PBUs, uh, none of that. I wasn't gonna make any more plays. I think something that's so cool about this award um is that it had little to do with football. You know what I mean? Yep um I couldn't play again. I couldn't I I still can't even run. You know what I mean? It had very little to do with football. I'm a part of this program and I love this program. With everything in my body, it had little to do with football. And that's amazing to me because I want these I want my guys to know it's all about what you who you are more than what you do. Uh who you are is more important than what you do, your character and um who you are as a person, uh, and how you respect and treat people. Um that's what I want them to understand and know that uh I want them their identity to be not so built on the game or anything in life that can be taken away from you. Because once it's gone, then what are you gonna turn to then? You know, when if you put your all and, you know, everything you are, and it and it gets taken away, then you and you end up losing yourself. And uh you know, I I would be lying if I said that didn't happen to me for a a little while. But I had my faith to my faith to piggyback on. And so that's what I want them to understand, like you know, character first, person first, then come to plays, you know. But I think it's so cool that, you know, it wasn't this it this award wasn't about, you know, what I did on the field. It has something to do with it, but it's more about who I was off and which is more important.

SPEAKER_06

That's the big takeaway with the Torch Bear Award, is that it's a student award, it's not a student athlete award. So the pool of potential recipients goes from this big to this big.

SPEAKER_04

Right.

SPEAKER_06

And it's all because of your leadership, your commitment to the university, and to serve others, which is the whole point of being a torch bearer, to shadow yourself, to give light to others. Um, I'd love to go through your journey with you because it wasn't always easy. It was really hard, but what a beautiful turn of events you were able to do with your journey, which I think is really empowering for others to hear. So bear with me because I know that it's not gonna be easy to revisit, but I think it's really important because the message that you were able to create with your story goes beyond the field. So in August 2024, you were entering fall preseason camp as one of the volunteers' inspirational leaders on the defense and a starter in the secondary. Not to mention, we had just gotten back from South Africa and Botswana and an incredible trip with the Vall Leaders Academy, which I'm sure also is a big part of how you were able to maneuver through this journey. But what do you remember about how you were feeling heading into that junior season?

SPEAKER_02

I was excited. You know, um, I had goals to be the best in the country, the best safety in the country, best DB. Um, I had goals to be an all-American. I thought it was the year, you know. I was excited going into um fall camp. I was just so excited. I knew I was gonna have a great season. Um God willing I stayed healthy, you know. And I was just excited. I was looking forward to it, looking forward to the plays that I was gonna make and um you know, the fun times I was gonna have with my brothers on the field and everything that came in between, you know. I was I was truly excited. And yeah, for that to happen three days in, would have never known. It was just really a regular day. Yes. Regular day. Um I didn't know my career was gonna end that day. It was just I did the same routine I did every day. Uh woke up, um, got to the facility, got breakfast, uh, went to the locker, changed clothes, went up to meetings, came back down, um, put my shoulder pads on, cleats, grabbed the helmet, got out to practice, prayed before I get on the field, and then we off to practice. And then you get the team period, that happens. Um, would have never thought. You know. Um Yeah, I would have never thought, but uh y you see how life can change, you know, in in the blink of an eye.

SPEAKER_06

So what do you remember about the play and the moment and the the people that were there for you immediately following it?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, I mean, um, if we want to go into the details of of the ball side, we was in quarters coverage, if we want to go that deep. Um was in quarters, I was I was at nickel and um I was in the slot. I believe uh Squirrel was a was on the other side of me on the offensive side of the ball. Um and so ball snaps, we were also in shells too, meaning just hats and uh shoulder pads, so it wasn't taken to the ground um in contact or tackling. So uh yeah, it was in quarters, ball snaps, I go to reroute, and then I see that Dylan Sampson breaks. Uh we trained good habits on the football field as a defense, and one of those is running to the ball. Um so ran to the ball because it broke. And um, as I was going to get in good football position and make a uh a tackle, um, get in good football position without making a tackle, but getting good body position to make it. Um it was a right, right tackle, and my my right foot, it kind of got outside my cylinder, and then uh, you know, just it hyper extended and next thing you know, I was on the ground and uh, you know, I had my teammates around me. Uh I was closest to the to the defensive side of the ball. I was really like at the line of scrimmage, right at the line of scrimmage. Um yeah, so we my teammates were around me. And uh on on impact while I was on the ground, I noticed that I couldn't move my foot. So I and I heard, also hurt, you know, the knee and everything that happened. And so uh I knew it was really bad because I couldn't move my foot, you know, and I I was pretty sure I was convinced on the spot that I had probably tore an ACL or something like that. And then really quickly, I just um I knew you can bounce back from an ACL, you know. So I knew I had kind of did that already on impact when I was on the ground, so I was like, okay, nah, I'm gonna bounce back from this. It's gonna take me a while, but ACL, I'm good. Uh, but I was worried about the foot, you know, because that's that's just weird. Right, that's unusual. That's unusual. Yes. Um, why I'm not moving my foot. I'm trying to, and nothing's it's not giving at all. Um, and so they get me on the cart. I'm like, no, no, no, this is not happening right now. Um, it can't be happening. I was in shock.

unknown

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Total shock. I just told you I was excited. I'm ready. This is the season, like breakout season. Everybody excited for JT. Uh leading up to these, to this junior campaign. Um, I had two good solid seasons. Um, and I'm ready. Yeah. You know, excited. And uh, I'm on the ground. I'm like, no, no, God, no way. No way. Like, this is not happening right now. Um, nah, I'm not hurt right now. It's day three. No way. You know what I mean? No way. Uh, we just started. We just kicked this thing off. What? Oh, mm-mm, no. I said, no. And um, got on the cart, uh, they rolled me back to the to the training room, and uh was talking with my doctors and all that. And they called, Dr. Rapé called my mom, and uh he was like, he told her, gave her the rundown on what happened. And uh my mom was, my mom, my biggest supporter. She was more happy than me, you know, for my season and the season I was about to have. And so that was a tough blow for her, you know, and then shortly he called my brother, um, and he called, he called back and all that. And uh, you know, he gave me the rundown. You know, he did the knee test and to see if ever how how it was looking in there. Knew that it was, you know, the knee was bad, that was, that was messed up. But I don't I don't believe he told me um back in the trainer room that the nerve was torn. I had to get an MRI for that.

SPEAKER_06

Okay.

SPEAKER_02

Um, and then that was, yeah, you didn't tell me then, but Okay. Yeah, it came later.

SPEAKER_06

So that's what I was going to touch on, because it was not just your ACL like you had originally thought. It was also your LCL, your PCL on your knee. And then it was the it was the torn hamstring off the bone and the nerve in your leg that wound up being the reason that your journey, the path of your journey changed. What were those initial conversations like with your coaches, with the people by your side while you were finding all of this out in real time and processing this new reality for yourself?

SPEAKER_02

Like I said, I was really in shock. Um I think my coaches, they knew the type of guy I was, so they knew I would, I could, uh, I could take on a on a battle like this. And so they were just uh they were there for me, you know, um, checking up on me. And uh my teammates were there for me, constantly checking in. But the uh the conversations I had a lot of conversations with myself. Um, and I did a lot of wrestling and questions myself, especially uh behind closed doors when I'm by myself. Um I just couldn't believe it had happened.

SPEAKER_06

How would you describe the next six to twelve months to be able to walk again? I mean, gosh, it was like every time I walked up on the practice field, I saw you, you were there, but you also always had a smile on your face. Or when I saw you, you still had a positive energy about yourself. Talk to me about the next year, that journey, um, and what you learned about yourself through that process.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, so I call that the the restless season. Um because it was a time where I also call it the season where I wrestled with God. You know, um, like I said, there was a lot of emotions, a lot of questions, a lot of uh why did this happen to me? I don't understand. This makes no sense at all. Um a lot of anger um at different times, you know, frustration and just um really just asking the Lord why would he do that? It made no sense. Um and so yeah, I wrestled with him a lot, you know. But I try I I the book of Job, man, became so alive to me. Um because in Job, Job suffers as well, um, without cause, because uh, you know, Satan, Satan wants to get Job, you know what I'm saying, to uh blame God for his suffering, right? But Job says something really important. Um he says the Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. And so I tried to adapt that mindset within my suffering. Um I knew that the Lord was still good, and this is why it was a struggle, because at the time my career is over. I'm not playing football again. Something I played since I was five years old, had so much fun doing. It he brung me here through the game of football, met so many people. Um he just got me here and guided me throughout my life with a peer skin, you know, um using a peer skin. And so every good and perfect gift comes down from God, right? Football was good. It is good, right? So why would you take it away? All right, um, and so I couldn't understand that, but I did understand that because I had a I I have a I had a relationship with the Lord prior to my injury, okay? That also didn't make sense because I felt like he had my attention. Uh I didn't think he needed to gain it, you know. But now looking back, I knew that it really this wasn't really, it was for me. It was to prune me and to mold me and to bring about all types of you know character growth and perseverance, but it's also for people that saw me suffer and that saw the way I lived, and like you said, tried to have a smile while I'm riding around on a uh uh 10, nine mile per hour electric scooter to class to practice. Man, look, I was just playing. Like, and then I'm at practice the next day, riding around, can't even walk on the electric scooter, everybody looking at me. Like, I wouldn't say I was embarrassed, you know, because it's just life. I don't know why I would be embarrassed, it's just life. Um, but man, I felt really low, you know. Um a day prior, you know, I'm 6'25, I'm you know what I'm saying, I'm diesel and um man, ball is great, it's great. I'm getting after it like locked in, like ready to have a killer season. Next day, I'm like this big in the scooter, can't walk, riding around from drill to drill, looking at practice from afar, crying, hiding the tears because I ain't want my teammates to see. Um all I want them to see was um this is what I would do. I would wipe the tears when I see a teammate by look at me, and I'd say, hey, keep going. You know what I mean? And that give them that extra pump to go do a great rip. You know what I mean? Um, so I was just focused on them, really. But it was like, man, the days were long because you can imagine, like, I'm I'm trying to focus, I'm trying to pour into them while also, man, in a split second, I take my attention off them. It's back on me and my situation. And that's just like, that's unexplainable, like, you know, wrestling, you know, internal conflict. But uh I did know that God was good because I seen his character, you know, through the scriptures and through my life prior to this. And so I knew that uh he was good. I just didn't understand his wisdom and why like he had me uh go through something like that. Uh but now looking back, you know, coming for a circle, I can't help but to say that he is good, you know, and he's able to do exceedingly abundantly above what I can ask or even think. And uh his way is perfect. It's better than mine, it's better than anything. This right here, I wouldn't trade it for nothing. Nothing that I went through. Um, all the wrestling, the pain, sleepless nights, literally. Couldn't move my leg. I I remember, man, just it was many nights. Um because my doctor, it was many nights where I was just sitting in my bed, looking at the ceiling, laying there, trying with every ounce in my body, every ounce, mind connection, everything, mind the body, trying to move my foot. It won't give at all. I burst into tears after that, you know. Trying, like, you know what I mean? Yeah. It ain't doing nothing. And after a while, I did that because my doctor said, uh, just keep trying to move it, you know, because it making fire. Hope, you know, hope, right? Yeah. And uh, so I'm hopeful. I'ma say that. It was it was hard, because like, you know, why would I do this? You know, but um I tried it, kept trying it. It kept not doing anything, and I kept getting angry, kept crying, and uh after a while I just stopped trying to do it, you know. But I understood that, hey, this is what the Lord wants for me. Uh He wants to see, He wants to use me through this trial and this situation. And so I embraced it, man. I stopped trying to move it. I said, hey, um, this way you got me. I understand what you're trying to do. Uh this is like after all the questions and stuff. I got to a point where uh I understood, man, uh, you know, this suffering is for a purpose. Pain and the purpose, you know. Um so I embraced it. I embraced the heart and the pain and all that stuff, and uh always took it to his throne, right? But um I embraced it because I knew it was I I was I was okay, you know. I was alright with my situation. I I I began to have peace about it. I had peace in knowing him, but I had peace about my situation. I came to terms with it, you know, um, because I knew that it was for a purpose. And that purpose was for my guys to see me. Not only not only for my growth, but for them to see me and uh, you know, still show up for them. Yeah. Um, just how he did for us.

SPEAKER_06

It's uh it's the five stages of grief process that you were working through because you're grieving a life that you thought was made for you. I mean, look at all the hard work and the time that you put in to get to this moment here today in the future that you were thinking for yourself, all get shifted in real time. However, the injury didn't define you, and you channeled that pain into purpose, and what an incredible opportunity you got from there on out, which is being a student coach. So, talk to me about how that came to be, how the idea presented itself, and what you thought about okay, I can I can do this, and I want to do this, and I'm gonna go get after it.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, so um I started having conversations with Coach Banks first. And uh we would just, I would just go in his office, you know, he would be sitting in there, and uh, you know, doors always open. So I I go in there and talk to him and uh run it by him, see what he thinks about it. He was all for it, you know, and then I started talking to Coach Nez about it and other coaches, and uh, you know, they they love for me to get on the field and start coaching. And so um uh before you know it, I was in my first defensive staff meeting, just sitting in the back, I actually sat behind Coach Banks, um, was learning a lot. Um and so I my love for the game ain't go nowhere. I love my teammates, and I ain't finna just do nothing, you know. I ain't nah, that's not me. I ain't no slouch, you know what I mean? And I wasn't about to let my situation or my uh, you know, yeah, my situation overtake who I was as a person. You know, um I'm still driven, I still want to pour into people, I still want to impact people. So I'm just gonna do it through the game of football, right? That's what I said. Um, and I had so much fun doing it, still have fun doing it. Uh yeah, I love it. And so that's where it started, really, just those small conversations um with my coaches. And uh, you know, I finally uh got behind the scenes and in those meetings and really seeing how things operate in there and uh what it takes to be a coach and learned a lot, still learning a lot. Um, but it is I have so much fun doing it.

SPEAKER_06

What do you think the biggest benefit of being a player turned student coach has been for you to be able to relate to these guys and say, Y'all, I was I was literally right there. Like, you know, I'm sure you coaches you know say that to you who are in their 30s and 40s, but it's like, no, dude, I was just right there. Right. I get it. I've done these workouts, I've done these practices, I've been in these games. What's what's been the the bonus in being able to be a student athlete turned student coach in that way?

SPEAKER_02

I think you said it, um, relatability. Um, and like you said, it literally, I was literally just doing what these guys were doing, you know. Um some of them older than me, you know. Um, and really just relatability, uh, you know, and then respect goes a long way, you know. Um, and so they would they listen to me. And so uh relatability, that's that that was probably the biggest thing, you know. I know what they feel, I know what they're going through, I know how they think, you know, um about you know school, ball, life. Yeah, you know, um, I understand. And I know how to navigate conversations and uh emotions on how they feel, um, how to motivate them, get them going. Because a coach, a coach's job is to teach, to motivate and demand. Um, and you know, those those are instilled in me, you know. Uh, and so relatability helps because uh I demand, you know, the best from them. That's that's the only that's the only right, you know, response. You know, you have to give your all, you know, and you can't have step. And so uh how much time gets put in, you know, how much the coaches sacrifice and uh, you know, what what goes into preparation, yeah, you know, for preparing for opponents, and not only that, but making sure the guys are in the best position to win. Um they they spend a lot of time doing that, you know, but you know it's uh it's serving because you you you're making sure your guys are are taken care of, you know, um every box is checked, um, every question answered, you know, and you're getting them ready to to go win a game. But it it takes a lot uh to go win a game, you know. Um comes down to a few things, but that's universal. But coaches prepare, you know, a lot. And so just seeing that, you know, seeing, like sitting in those meetings and seeing how uh they operate. Um and so how and how meticulous and detailed things are, every thought, every stunt we're gonna run, every blitz we're gonna run, um, why why we should play this coverage against this team, stuff like that. Um, I just really seeing, you know, how much goes into it and garnished a uh deeper appreciation for than I had than I was a player.

SPEAKER_06

I want to list off all of the uh things outside of football that you've gotten yourself involved in because the list is a little long. So bear with me here because you are a member of the SEC Academic Honor Role, a board member of the Student Athlete Council Voice, Volunteers Overcoming, Illuminating, Changing, Empowering, a Volleaders Academy alum, served on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and an active participant of the 110 campus ministry, which has helped you personally have helped serve meals to individuals experiencing homelessness, and has completed more than 200 volunteer hours. You have poured so much leadership into others and serving your campus and your community. Why is it so important that that is an integral part in who you are and your journey?

SPEAKER_02

I think life is all about impacting people, you know, and giving back and and serving, you know. Um, and so that whenever I wake up, I that's my goal, you know, to be where my feet are, um, and to just and to just serve, you know, and give myself to people. You know, I think that's what it's all about. And it's my it's my heart's delight to give back, you know, and uh see people's lives changed, you know, and impacted um from a positive perspective, um, because of what I've gone through or uh the influence and the knowledge I'm able to share to them, you know. So that's that's what makes me smile, it makes me happy. Um so yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_06

When you meet people for the first time now who maybe don't know you or you're just coming across them in your walk of life, if you were to, you know, reach out your arm, shake their hand, say, Hi, I'm Jordan Thomas, this is my story in a snapshot, what do you think that would be?

SPEAKER_02

God took a young man that didn't come from um a lot, but chose him out from the rest. Carried him throughout all the hardships of his life, gave him the ability and the power to impact and influence people around him through leadership, service, and humility. And I would say that God has given me a story of sacrifice and laying out your life for people around you to see them become better people.

SPEAKER_06

And then that was heavy. The whole journey to get to where you are. I know we just talked about it in like 15, 20 minutes, but that was months and months and months to get to where you are today. Like you are such a giver. Yeah. You give and you give and you give to everybody in your life. Close or at arm's length. You see everyone. And you give. But do you ever like take a second to just be with yourself and be proud of all that you've been able to overcome and accomplish to get to where you are today?

SPEAKER_02

Uh yeah, I really don't enough. Um because like you said, I'm uh my my focus and my gaze is on people outside of myself, other people. Um and so yeah, I really don't do a good job of that. And you know, I don't this this award, I think I won this award because I tried my best every day to bear the image of Christ, you know, um, and I was I was intentional about it. Um I think I got this award because of the volunteer spirit that I try to embody. And that's all about shadowing yourself. And so I want to shadow myself, to give light to others, because I think that's the whole sole purpose of life, you know, um, is for other people, you know, not yourself. So um I really don't, you know, I I catch myself thinking about it, you know, sometimes it is pretty cool. But I mean, in those moments, I just give thanks to God, you know, because he's the one that gave me this story. I really didn't ask to uh have a career ending injury. I wouldn't have I wouldn't have said I wanted to do that. Um, but I was willing to go through anything, you know, it took, um, or however the Lord wanted to use me, I was I was surrendered. And so he saw best to uh to bring about that situation, and uh we can see how how he's turned it around for the good, not only for me, but for others. And so uh, like I said, I wouldn't change the thing, and um I'm just thankful, you know, it played out the way it did.

SPEAKER_06

You're graduating in a couple months, not even a couple months, a couple weeks. It's almost here. You're graduating with a degree in sport management. What's next for Jordan? What what I mean, what are you hoping to do with your career as you navigate, you know, spreading your wings and taking on the next adventure?

SPEAKER_02

Uh that that's something I'm still really uh thinking of and thinking through. Um I have a lot of things in the roller decks, you know, but uh ultimately whatever lane I decide to go down, uh I just really still want to impact people. You know, however that may look, you know, but I just want to impact people really.

SPEAKER_06

I mean, it's your calling, Jordan.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, I believe so.

SPEAKER_06

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Yes. So I don't know, it may be coaching or um in ministry, or I'm not sure, but I'm gonna be the same guy, whatever profession I'm in.

SPEAKER_06

You're gonna be impacting people. Your journey over the past 20 months has been truly remarkable. I know there's been a lot of growth and work that you've done yourself to get to where you are today. Is there anything that you would go back and tell Jordan on the day that all of this happened? Knowing what you know now, living it, having gone through it, any just advice or like, hey man, you're gonna be all right.

SPEAKER_02

God makes no mistakes. Trust him. Do it all.

SPEAKER_06

For anybody that is going through a situation that is similar to the tears, any setback, any struggle that they might be experiencing, what would be your message to them about their purpose, their identity, and maybe their self-worth and mental health, all of it? I mean, it's a very loaded question, but what would you tell them?

SPEAKER_02

Uh I would say that if you're feeling those emotions, if you're thinking those thoughts, I would say that you're not alone in that in the way you're feeling. Um the way you feel about your identity. There are many people that struggle with the same thoughts. Um we may go throughout life, you know, feeling the same way, and we may never that your your neighbor may or your peer may never know because we don't tell them, right? We're not vulnerable. But uh it's important to know that you're never alone in your pain. Um you will have thoughts that you're alone, um, and the enemy will whisper that you're alone, and that there's nobody in this entire world that's struggling the way you're struggling, um, or feeling the way you're feeling, but it's it's a lie, you know, and there's so many people I know at this university that's willing to help. Um, and so seek those people out. Have the courage to ask for help because it's here, um, and understand that you're never your identity is never built on um things that can be taken away from you. Um, it shouldn't be. Uh, it's it should be on things that are internal and eternal, you know. Um so yeah, that's what I would tell them. You're never alone.

SPEAKER_06

And I feel like it's the million-dollar question that student athletes wrestle with is this identity? What is it, especially when their career comes to an end, whether that's while they're playing, after they're playing, or well into a professional career. At some point, they always say, right, the ball will stop bouncing. Unfortunately, you had to experience that sooner than you thought. But I want to know, like, who is Jordan Thomas now? Who is this person sitting here today that that has been able to, I don't know, figure out his greater purpose and who he is as a person?

SPEAKER_02

A torch bearer. Yeah, uh, yeah. I think that's a best, that's the best word, really. Um that award is all all about leadership, um, service, and embodying the volunteer spirit. I'll be honest with you. Um, when I first got to this university, I didn't really know anything about a torchbearer. I seen the statue over there. And uh when I first got here, they would do torchbearer walks, you know, the campus. And I think, you know, students that that just had just arrived on campus, um, I didn't know what the creed was. You know, I was uh I was living a lifestyle of a torchbearer lifestyle before I even knew what it was. Um and you know, my faith shaped that, you know, understanding of what a torch bearer is. It just so happened that everything that, you know, that the torch bearer stands for um is what is how I'm called to live, you know. And so um I would just say JT is a torchbearer.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah. Through and through.

SPEAKER_02

Through and through. And I don't say that in a in a um cocky way. I'm very humbled by it. If anything, this just gives me uh more eyes and um opportunity to continue to be one. Yep. You know, um, it's not about uh last Thursday when I won the award or being recognized, uh, you know, none of that. It's really about bearing the torch consistently every day, um, and just showing up and embodying those three pillars. And you we go back to me not uh, you know, thinking about, you know, having pride in, I have pride in it, you know, I'm proud of myself, but I think more about embodying it every day, every day, more than I think just sit on and reflect on uh you know the award. Um, because you get the award by being a torch bearer. Let's not make a mistake, and it ain't no mistake, like uh you get it by being one. And so I wake up every day thinking about being one, not really getting the award. Right. You know what I mean? So yeah, yeah, so that's what I think about. And I think that's what JT is.

SPEAKER_06

My last question for you, just before we wrap up, as we wrap up, is there anything you would like to say? Just any final thought, feeling, whatever it might be, to Vulnation, to your teammates, to your coaches? Like I just want to give you the floor for a second if there's anything like you want to share or say.

SPEAKER_02

My teammates, my coaches, um, every every faculty member, every staff member, every smokies member or cafeteria member, every janitor. Everybody that keeps this building and this program and this power tea running, my heart goes out to those those people. Um Students that come here or student athletes that come here, they won't have a chance at being successful without the people working behind the scenes that don't get the recognition that student athletes get, you know. They may not, but they keep it running. Um and the staff members and the coaches that care so deeply about young people's development that's needed. And we have that here. And I'm grateful for every single person, you know, that has played a role in um my life, whether big or small, um, throughout my whole entire life, not just me getting to this university. This is for people back home um from Montgomery, Alabama. Um, thank you. And it just goes back to my story, really. Um not understanding, you know, why your life is playing out the way it may. But always trusting and believing that hope is never lost. Um greater days, you can have greater days in the midst of your pain. It's all about perspective. And that God works everything out for the good. So, um I truly wouldn't change a thing in my journey. I'm grateful for everything. And I'm grateful the Lord redeemed it the way he did. And I wouldn't want to end my undergraduate at undergraduate career uh any other way. I would forever be amazed at how it turned out. Um coming in, I just um I was just so focused on getting to the NFL. I had none of this in my in my thoughts towards Beer. I didn't you know what I mean. But just as this thing wraps up, I'm just so astonished and just so grateful.

unknown

Yeah.

SPEAKER_06

Well, thank you so much for coming on the podcast and sharing your story. I've touched on it once, and if I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times before. You are an incredible person. Your story is beautiful as it was written, and I know that you have such a bright future ahead of you. And I cannot wait to follow your journey from your time here at Tennessee and beyond because you've got such big things coming in the way.

SPEAKER_02

Thank you, Zimbabwe, and it was great to be here.