Todd Helton thanked former Tennessee football coach during Hall of Fame speech for a simple one liner that stuck with him

In case you wondered before Sunday just how much the University of Tennessee has meant to Todd Helton , you certainly don't have any questions anymore.

The former Tennessee Vols quarterback and baseball standout was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York on Sunday while wearing a Tennessee Power T pin on his coat. During his induction speech , he recognized a number of people from his days at the University of Tennessee, starting with former Tennessee offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe.

Helton, who was known for his quiet and reserved demeanor with the Colorado Rockies, said some simple advice from Cutcliffe helped him achieve that subdued appearance over the years.

"Coach David Cutcliffe was my quarterback coach at the University of Tennessee," Helton said. "Coach Cut always added some baseball words of wisdom for me on our weekly quarterback tests. One simple one liner that stuck with me through the years was: don’t be a dirt kicker . Thank you, Cut. Even though I wanted to at times, I made sure I kept my frustrations off the field and out of sight.”

Helton continued with some tongue-in-cheek comments about his days playing football at the University of Tennessee, where he was a quarterback from 1992 to 1994.

"I will say being the quarterback sandwiched between Heath Shuler and Peyton [Manning] made my decision to pursue baseball easier," Helton quipped. "And I knew I wasn't big time quarterback material when I was called into the game in the Rose Bowl against UCLA.  Before running onto the field, I first had to ditch the half-eaten ham sandwich and a bag of M&Ms out of my helmet.  That's a pretty good sign.

"I do not get recognized in Knoxville like I do in Denver.  But every so often, I'll get 'are you Todd Helton? Weren't you a quarterback for the Vols?' I'm like, I want to throw up my hands and say yes, but I've played a little baseball since then."

Helton also gave a nod to former Tennessee hitting coach and current assistant TCU coach Bill Mosiello for his tutelage in Knoxville.

"Coach Bill Mosiello was my hitting coach at UT when I played there.  We have been friends for 32 years.  I can honestly say that Coach Mo was the best hitting coach that I had next to my dad."

Finally, to top off a lengthy nod to Tennessee baseball, where he still holds a number of single-season and career records three decades later , he followed that by giving a shoutout to the defending College World Series champion.

"I’d also like to recognize the best head college coach today: Coach Tony Vitello and the national champion Tennessee Volunteers.”

There's no doubt that Helton is a true Vol for Life.  And now he's the first one ever in the Baseball Hall of Fame.  Certainly, a great day for Helton and for Tennessee fans.

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