Wiedmer: Time to look at Vols, and all athletes as ‘Not just a robot’

KNOXVILLE – It didn’t sound like a question certain to receive a thought-provoking response.

Mainly because the Tennessee football team was off last week, the first question to senior defensive back Alontae Taylor had nothing to do with this Saturday night’s visit to No. 18 Kentucky, but rather what he accomplished during the off-week and what he did apart from football that he enjoyed.

This is where most athletes through the years – be they Vols or college players in general – have usually spoken of heading home for a weekend of mom’s cooking, catching up on some sleep, watching football as fans, or maybe taking in their high school team’s game. Nothing dramatic, save the fact that except for the Big State U. they represent on Saturdays, they’re pretty much like everybody else.

But that was not how Taylor began his answer, other than to touch on a heretofore touchy subject that may be, deep down, pretty much like everybody else has experienced at one time or another whether we’re willing to admit it or not.

“The biggest accomplishment I had was getting away from sports for a little bit,” Taylor replied less than 12 seconds after first appearing at the podium. “I’ve kind of been down a little bit mentally. So I worked on my mental health a little bit.”