Dolly Parton's impact was felt across the world. It meant the most in her home state of Tennessee.
Parton died last week, aged 80, after a career dedicating to uplifting others through music, media and charity. The gifted singer used her voice to do more than just lament about bank tellers potentially stealing her man. She used her fame and fortune to make lives better across America, but especially in the Volunteer State.
Middle Tennessee State University is about 200 miles from Parton's hometown of Pittman Center. It's also only 40 miles from Nashville, the epicenter of country music and the place where the singer became an undeniable force across song and pop culture. The football program has fallen on hard times lately, recording back-to-back
three-win seasons that has head coach Derek Mason firmly on the hot seat.
While the Blue Raiders may not play well on the field this fall, they'll look good doing it.
Honoring a Tennessee legend 💙 pic.twitter.com/nLwXwPt92k
— Middle Tennessee Football (@MT_FB) September 3, 2026
Middle Tennessee will wear patches adorned with Parton's signature and trademark butterfly icon directly underneath the Conference-USA patch on their jerseys this fall. They're the second team in the state to honor the superstar philanthropist following the University of Tennessee's decision to put a similar decal on their helmets.
There's no word yet on whether Nashville's Vanderbilt University, whobenefitted from Parton's financial support in its successful quest to create a Covid-19 vaccine that helped stem the pandemic, will have a tribute to the late country superstar on its 2026 kits. However, a school that opens up with nearby Austin Peay State University in Week 1 should have no problem identifying an easy and popular way to showcase its connection to its home state.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Dolly Parton college football memorials continue with Middle Tennessee jersey patch
