Knoxville, TN – In a development that has stunned the college sports world and delighted local foodies, Tennessee Volunteers star center Cooper Mays has announced a surprising career pivot. The highly-regarded athlete, renowned for his dominance on the football field, has traded his helmet for a chef’s hat, launching his own barbecue restaurant in the heart of Knoxville.
Mays, who anchored the Vols’ offensive line and was widely considered an NFL prospect, shocked fans and analysts alike by revealing he would forgo professional football opportunities to pursue his passion for cooking. “Football has been my life for as long as I can remember,” Mays said during a press conference outside his new establishment. “But there’s something about barbecue—about bringing people together over good food—that speaks to me in a different way.”
The restaurant, aptly named “Hog Heaven by Cooper Mays,” will feature a menu inspired by traditional Southern flavors with a personal twist. Signature dishes include slow-smoked brisket, spicy peach-glazed ribs, and Mays’ own “Vol Sauce,” a secret-recipe barbecue sauce that he’s been perfecting since high school.
Set to open next month, Hog Heaven has already generated buzz on campus and beyond. Locals have spotted Mays in the kitchen during soft opening events, personally preparing plates and chatting with guests. “He’s the real deal,” said one early diner. “You can taste the passion in every bite.”
While some fans express disappointment that Mays won’t be wearing orange on Sundays, most have rallied behind his new venture. “He’s still representing Tennessee—just in a different uniform,” one supporter noted.
As Mays reinvents himself from lineman to pitmaster, one thing is clear: Knoxville’s newest barbecue joint is about to become a major player on the local food scene.
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