Proffitt’s Ponderings: All-Americans in close proximity

Through its storied history, Cocke County has produced quite a few notable athletes.

Rarely, though, have any of them been linked in the way Wade Butcher, Chris Jones and Steve Spurrier were.

Butcher became an All-American at Vanderbilt, receiving an induction into the National Football Foundation’s Hall of Fame in 1961.

Jones led Cocke County in three different statistical records — which he still holds — and he became the first All-American in any sport at Carson-Newman before reaching the NBA with the Cincinnati Royals.

Finally, Spurrier went to Science Hill in Johnson City, then became an All-American and Heisman winner at Florida before embarking on a legendary coaching career that led to Duke, back to Gainesville, to South Carolina, and even featured stops in multiple professional leagues, including the NFL.

The kicker here? “They could all throw a rock and hit each other’s house,” said Mike Proffitt, chuckling as he reflected on the odd proximity.

Yes, you read that right. Three different All-Americans who went to three different colleges all lived within the same block where Washington and Lincoln Avenues intersect in Newport.

It is a fitting example of the athletic prowess that has been seen in this county.

Proffitt is tied to all three, having grown up watching Butcher and Jones.

He and Spurrier were the same age, however, as they went through fifth grade together at Newport Grammar School.

“Pretty odd,” said Proffitt, “that you would have three All-Americans from the same block.”