BREAKING: Tennessee Vols’ Star Center Cooper Mays Swaps Football Helmet for Chef’s Hat, Opens BBQ Restaurant in Knoxville.
In a move that has stunned college football fans, Tennessee Volunteers star center Cooper Mays has announced that he is stepping away from the gridiron to pursue a new passion—barbecue. The Knoxville native and fan-favorite lineman revealed that he will be opening his very own BBQ restaurant, “Mays’ Smokehouse”, right in the heart of his hometown.
Mays, who has been a key piece of the Vols’ offensive line, said the decision wasn’t easy but felt right. “Football has been a huge part of my life, but I’ve always loved cooking—especially BBQ,” Mays told reporters. “After a lot of thought, I decided it was time to take a different path and bring something special to the Knoxville community.”
The restaurant, set to open this summer, will feature classic Southern BBQ staples like smoked brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and Mays’ signature mac and cheese. Fans can also expect a special “Rocky Top Platter”, paying tribute to the Vols.
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel expressed his support for Mays’ bold career change. “Coop is a leader on and off the field. We’ll miss him on Saturdays, but I have no doubt he’ll dominate the BBQ game just like he did in the trenches.”
Vols fans are already buzzing with excitement about Mays’ new venture. Whether it’s football or barbecue, one thing is clear—Cooper Mays is still serving up something special in Knoxville.
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