Former Tennessee Vols quarterback and 2022 Heisman Trophy contender Hendon Hooker will be the keynote speaker for the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce's 17th Annual Benefit in June 2024.
The chamber's annual event, set for June 22 in Athens, Tennessee, has featured former athletes, coaches, a former president, a musician and a growing list of other popular figures, according to a statement from the chamber announcing the speaker. Tickets for the event usually sell out months in advance, and they're already going quick.
"We've already sold a bunch of tickets," Rob Preston, the chamber's executive director, said in a phone interview. "People are interested who have never been interested in it before. Somebody told me the other day that Hendon Hooker is this generation's Peyton Manning. People are excited about Coach (Josh) Heupel and where they're going today."
Originally, the chamber was working with World Wrestling Entertainment star John Cena for the June 2024 date, but his appearance was canceled due to contractual obligations, Preston said.
If you go
Tickets for the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce's 17th Annual Benefit are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 423-745-0334 or visiting t.ly/BVhh2 to order online. The event is June 22 at the McMinn County High School gymnasium on Congress Parkway in Athens, Tennessee. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the program beginning at 7 p.m. A special VIP event will be at 5:30 p.m. A program ticket is $25, dinner tickets are $55 and tickets to the VIP event are $200, which includes dinner, special seating, a photograph with Hendon Hooker and an autograph.
Hooker was named the Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2022, and the Detriot Lions drafted him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Hooker finished fifth in the 2022 Heisman voting and was named first-team All-SEC. Last year, Hooker led the SEC in pass completion percentage and passing efficiency rating and led the NCAA in passing yards per attempt and adjusted passing yards per attempt. Hooker's 2022 season ended with a knee injury suffered in a loss at South Carolina.
(READ MORE: Chipper Jones to be keynote speaker at 2023 Athens Area Chamber of Commerce banquet)
Starting in nine games in 2022, he was instrumental in Tennessee's 11 wins, the most for the program since 2001 and tied for the second most in school history.
Hooker points to his Christian upbringing with parents who urged him and his siblings to work hard and to be active in church, according to his biographical information. With his knowledge of the Bible and a desire to influence the younger generation, Hooker and his brother, Alston, created a children's book called "The ABCs of Scripture for Athletes." The book uses a sports-themed alphabet to help children learn scripture.
Hooker's draw likely will be limited to Tennesseans, particularly Big Orange football fans, while other speakers over the years have had wider draws or have drawn fire and even a death threat, according to Preston.
The most popular speaker so far has been Vols' legendary quarterback and two-time Super Bowl champion Peyton Manning, who played for 17 seasons as quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos. After Manning, Preston said, former President George W. Bush was the second-biggest draw, followed by longtime Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban.
Hooker has enormous popularity in Tennessee despite his youth.
"As far as popularity, I think he's right up there with Peyton," Preston said, noting Hooker hasn't tallied Manning's level of fame yet in the NFL. "His career is still young. He's such a likable person. He's a Christian, and he's willing and wanting to share his faith. He's said he's playing football so he can share Jesus with others. That's like a Tim Tebow, another previous speaker."
(READ MORE: Hooker's stock higher than ever despite being unable to perform)
Other previous speakers have included SEC football greats Steve Spurrier, Phil Fulmer, Al Wilson, Peerless Price, Herschel Walker and Bo Jackson; professional baseball stars Chipper Jones and Pete Rose; political figures Bush and former President Donald Trump's press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany; 1980s television series "Incredible Hulk" actor Lou Ferrigno; Christian singer Amy Grant; and evangelist Kirk Cameron.
While Bush and McEnany drew criticism from some who opposed their political views, Preston said the speaker drawing the biggest backlash by far was Saban in 2013 even though he was the third largest draw among the event's past speakers.
"I did get a death threat," Preston said with a nervous laugh. "We had to take that real serious."
Hooker has no negatives and will appeal strongly to the Volunteer faithful, Preston said.
The benefit's lead sponsor, Bowater Credit Union, is joined by 12 fellow local sponsors in bringing Hooker to Athens in 2024, Preston said.
Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569.
Contributed photo / Former Tennessee Vols standout, 2022 Heisman Trophy contender and quarterback for the NFL's Detroit Lions, Hendon Hooker, will be the speaker for the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce's Annual Benefit in June 2024.