Josh Dobbs speaks at Second Baptist Church in Clinton
Josh Dobbs is a winner — on the field and off.
Last Wednesday evening, the former University of Tennessee and current Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback delivered an uplifting message to a crowd of more than 1,000 people at Second Baptist Church in Clinton.
Dobbs gave his personal Christian testimony with 17 area middle and high school football teams in attendance — including Anderson County, Clinton (High School and Middle School), Norris, Lake City, Norwood, Campbell County, Fulton, Powell, Jacksboro, Oliver Springs, Wartburg, Knox Central, Austin-East, and Oak Ridge.
One of the most poignant statements he gave resonated with everyone in attendance.
“Show me your friends and I’ll tell you your future,” he said.
Dobbs also answered questions and talked about his playing days at Tennessee and his current career with the Steelers.
Prior to the events of the evening, he talked about why he was there.
“I just want to tell my life story and about my faith in the Lord — about how that’s got me to where I am and how He still pushes me and blesses me to have opportunities like this,” Dobbs said.
The evening, dubbed “A Night of Champions,” kicked off with the former Vol standout signing autographs and posing for pictures with fans.
Dobbs is one of the most visible and successful UT quarterbacks in recent memory.
An aerospace engineering major, Dobbs was known as one of the most intelligent players in college football.
During his senior year he lived up to his status as a dual threat quarterback as he threw for 2,946 yards and 27 touchdowns and rushed for 831 yards with 12 touchdowns.
As a junior, Dobbs passed for 2,291 yards and 15 touchdowns, while running for 671 yards and 11 scores.
He was named the TaxSlayer.com Bowl MVP after totaling 205 yards of offense and three scores against Iowa as a sophomore.
In 2017, Dobbs was presented with the Torchbearer Award by the University of Tennessee, the highest honor for an undergraduate student, which recognizes accomplishments in the community and academics.
Dobbs was named to the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll and had a 4.0 GPA.
In April 2017, Dobbs was drafted in the fourth round of the NFL Draft by the Steelers.
He was the seventh quarterback drafted overall that year.
He starts camp with Pittsburgh later this week.
Dobbs said biggest difference in the college game and the pro game is that football is no longer an extracurricular activity, it is a job.
“It’s a profession, especially the quarterback position where a lot is required of you. How you prepare, how you make adjustments, call the plays, and get the offense in the right look. It’s a lot more demanding in the mental aspect but physically, it’s very similar,” he said.
Dobbs said he had an opportunity to be around the UT football program in the spring.
“I met Coach [Jeremy] Pruitt twice. Obviously, I played against him in college and I know what type of coach he is and how well he designs defensively. I like the guys they have in place and they have an all-star coaching roster. They’re going in the right direction,” he said.
Dobbs said that even though his quarterbacking duties with the Steelers demand a great deal of his time, he tunes in to every game UT plays.
“I’m locked in, trying to see how they’re doing,” he said.