The Legacy of Haywood Harris
I first met Haywood Harris in 1986.
I was a cub reporter at WKPT-TV in Kingsport and he had already been the sports information director at
Tennessee for 25 years! I was just another new kid on the block. After a few years away, I moved back to East Tennessee in 1990 and renewed a professional relationship with a man I have always had the utmost respect for.
My first year in Knoxville wasn't without a few bumps, and Haywood was always polite, patient and a go-to source for background on Tennessee sports. I am sure I left him scratching his head a few times at the beginning, but he never waivered in his professionalism and willingness to help.
If imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery, Haywood was loved and respected by all of us media-types. Like John Wayne or Howard Cosell, Haywood's distinct voice and speech pattern were easy to pick-up on. His radio show made him a bit of a cult figure around town and even today, it seems like everyone has the ability to imitate Haywood- and it is always done with dignity, respect and, of course, a little bit of humor.
I'll miss hearing his real voice in the press box, most recently at UT football games. I'll miss walking into his office and seeing his desk covered with newspapers from one end to the other. Haywood Harris was a classic old-school sports information director, educated in the newspaper business and agile enough to adapt to the circus often created by the electronic media.
I will also forever be indebted to Haywood for something that happened a few years ago. I had just shot a charity promo with Phillip Fulmer in the coach's office. As I was leaving, I joked with Phillip that my car may have been parked in a not-so-good location, and I needed to get to it before it was towed.
Sure enough, when I returned to my car, it was "on the hook", and the tow truck driver was in no mood to hear my plea, "I was shooting a benefit commercial with Coach Fulmer, pleeeeasssse-- don't take it away".
I was clearly concerned and frustrated.
I had given up hope, and was resigned to the fact that I'd be walking back to work. But then, Haywood walked by, saw what was going on, and vouched for me. The tow truck operator gave me my car back.
Haywood saved my butt many times and many ways. That was just one of them.
It was an honor to know him.
