Former Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs is speaking Friday night to a sold-out audience at Red Bank Baptist Church.Former University of Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs readily admits there has been far more good than bad in his life, but never getting into a regular-season game last year as a Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wasn't overly enjoyable.
"I can't lie. That was tough," Dobbs said. "You play every season since you were 5 years old, and you've been the starter. Then, 18 years later, you have a season where you're not the starter, and it's very different. For me, it was a great learning opportunity. The Steelers have a great organization, as we all know, and getting the chance to learn firsthand from Ben (Roethlisberger) and to see the adjustments he makes in games and how he challenges different players in practices - I learned a ton.
"I'm itching to get on the field and compete, and when my number is called, I'll be ready to go and light it up."
Dobbs is eager to light up the audience Friday night as the featured speaker at the "Night of Champions" event at Red Bank Baptist Church. A crowd of about 1,000 will be in attendance, with tickets having sold out quickly.
"I'm really excited about visiting with people and being part of their ministry," Dobbs said. "Playing sports provides us with a tremendous platform to gauge and influence the youth with opportunities like this. My message to the group will be focusing on my personal journey in faith and football.
"My faith in God has been the center of my journey in where I am today."
Dobbs points to Joshua 1:9 as his favorite Bible verse: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
That verse can be found in his phone, on his Twitter account and above the bed at his childhood residence in the Atlanta suburb Alpharetta.
"I like to confide in it during tough times," he said, "and when things are going well."
Former University of Florida and NFL quarterback Tim Tebow often put Bible verses on his eye black before games, including Philippians 4:13, which reads, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." When Dobbs was in eighth grade, Tebow spoke to his Alpharetta church.
"I've always admired how he carried himself on and off the field," Dobbs said.
Dobbs started as a freshman late in the 2013 season and wound up compiling 7,138 passing yards in four years. Most of his numbers were racked up during the 2015 and 2016 seasons, when he had 5,237 passing yards with 42 touchdowns and 17 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,502 yards, an average of 5.1 yards per carry and 23 touchdowns.
More importantly, Dobbs guided the Volunteers to consecutive 9-4 records those two seasons that culminated with bowl wins over Northwestern and Nebraska. The 18 victories were the most in a two-year stretch for Tennessee since 2006-07, but the Vols bottomed out at 4-8 last season.
For the first time in its storied history, Tennessee lost eight games in a season and went winless in Southeastern Conference play.
"It wasn't easy," said Dobbs, who was a guest last week on "Press Row" on Chattanooga's ESPN 105.1 FM. "We have a big group chat, and on Saturdays, when we had off time before we had to report to the hotel or even on the plane when we were flying to wherever we were playing, we would check with each other and would check in on the games. It was tough to see the season they had last year, but their spirit is strong.
"They worked hard this offseason, and they are destined to turn it around this upcoming season and in the future."
Last year's debacle resulted in the firing of head coach Butch Jones and the hiring of Jeremy Pruitt, whom Dobbs faced when Pruitt was Georgia's defensive coordinator in 2015 and Alabama's defensive coordinator in 2016. Dobbs said he met Pruitt this spring and is convinced he will turn the program back around sooner than later.
Dobbs has an apartment in Pittsburgh, stays with friends in Knoxville and stays with his parents when he's back in Alpharetta. He admits he can live a nomadic life, which included a recent trip to Huntsville, Alabama, to attend space camp and stay sharp after graduating with a degree in aerospace engineering.
His future is in the aerospace industry, but his present is trying to help the Steelers any way he can - but preferably on the field.
"The biggest adjustment to the NFL, especially as a quarterback, is how much that is put on your plate," Dobbs said. "You're not focused on school anymore, and football is your job. When it comes to your preparation and the time you put in week in and week out to fully understand the team you're playing and the tendencies of each player, it pushes you to stay focused on every possible situation."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.