Vols to wear helmet decals against Arkansas in honor of Helene victims

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to correctly reflect where the Vols are playing on Saturday.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — With many areas of East Tennessee and the Southeast still recovering from the deadly impacts of Hurricane Helene, Tennessee football helmets will look a little different this weekend in honor of those affected.

Head coach Josh Heupel said Wednesday during the “Vol Calls” radio show that the team will wear special helmet decals when No. 4 Tennessee takes on Arkansas on Saturday.

The decision to add the decals honoring those impacted was made by the team’s player leadership council, Heupel said.

At least 170 people have died after Hurricane Helene and other storms dumped 40 trillion gallons of rain across the South. A total of 11 weather-related fatalities in the state have been confirmed by the Tennessee Department of Health as of Wednesday afternoon, including one in Knox County .

President Joe Biden approved Tennessee’s Major Disaster Declaration on Wednesday , making additional federal funding available to people in eight counties.

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