At halftime of the Mississippi State game that season, several dogs were lined up on the old cheerleaders' ramp at Shields–Watkins Field for voting.

Tennessee's first mascot met a sudden and tragic end in 1955, as he was fatally struck by a car after escaping from his home.

In 1955, students from the University of Kentucky kidnapped him for eight days, dressing him in a blue and white blanket with a large ‘K’ and parading him around at a Wildcats pep rally.

A week later, three Vanderbilt students tried the same heist at the Brooks house, but ended up taking an old hunting dog instead.

In 1963, Smokey died in Lexington shortly after the Vols' game against Kentucky, reportedly because someone fed him a chocolate pie.

[4] He compiled a 105-39-5 record, attended ten bowl games, and presided over two SEC championships during his tenure.

[7] During the 1991 UCLA game, Smokey suffered heat exhaustion in the 100+ degree temperatures and was listed on the Vols injury report until he returned later in the season.

[9] Smokey VIII was the most successful of the live dogs, presiding as mascot as the Vols compiled a record of 91-22, claimed two SEC titles, and won a national championship in 1998.

[5] Born on November 10, 1994, Smokey VIII began his reign in 1995 and retired after the 2004 Peach Bowl in Atlanta after being diagnosed with a nasal tumor in December 2003.

[11] "He served with distinction, weathered storms, cold and heat", recalled Earl Hudson, who owned the dog since it was two months old.

"[12] Smokey VIII died on March 17, 2006, after suffering complications from high blood pressure and kidney disease.

An ESPN article said a Crimson Tide receiver fell on the dog when the player jumped out of bounds for a pass.

On game days and while attending to official mascot duties, Smokey is handled by members of UT's Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity.

Tennessee attempted to create a more realistic looking hound costume in 1982, but the end result was panned by the students and this iteration of Smokey was quickly retired.

Smokey's new, more realistic look initially garnered mixed reactions from the Volunteer fanbase, but the redesign quickly became a fan favorite and remains the face of Tennessee athletics to this day.

In 2015, Junior Smokey was named "Mascot of the Year" at the World Dog Awards in Los Angeles.