On Tuesday, Aug. 25, the family of Dolly Parton announced that the "Queen of County" had died. She was 80 years old.
A beloved icon around the nation, Parton grew up in Sevierville, Tennessee, where she attended Sevier County High School. In 1964, Parton graduated from the school and a day later, she had packed up her bags and was headed off to Nashville to begin her music career.
While she was known for her music and community work, Parton was also a passionate sports fan. She referred to her late husband, Carl Dean, as a “football freak.” Parton was a known supporter of the Dallas Cowboys as she supported Dean's fandom and she was also a massive fan of the Tennessee Volunteers.
Her love for sports and her hometown pride collided in December 2024.
Parton's high school alma mater, the Sevier County Smoky Bears, won the Class 5A state championship on Dec. 6, 2024, beating Page 27-20 in an instant classic.
The win completed the program's first unbeaten season and their first state championship since 1999.
It didn't take long for Parton to congratulate her alma mater has the Sevier County football X account posted a video that she had sent to them.
"Hey Nolen and the entire Sevier County high school football and Coach (Todd) Loveday, I understand congratulations are in order for the 5A championship!" Parton said in the video. "Go Bears!"
Led by then sophomore quarterback Cooper Newman (153 yards passing, two touchdowns), the Smoky Bears jumped out to a 24-7 third quarter lead over Page before having to endure the Patriots' comeback.
Page finished the game on a 13-3 run, but Sevier County recovered an onside kick with just less than 1:30 remaining to secure the program's second title and an eventual congratulatory video from the school's most famous alum.
Follow Sports Reporter Joe Spears on X at @joe_spears7 or via email: JSpears@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow @usatodayhss on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dolly Parton never forgot her Tennessee roots. Just ask her high school’s football team
