In the second episode of our new series, LEGENDS of the Local Game, brought to you by First Watch, we sit down with former Lady Vol soccer player and current SEC soccer commentator and Knox Reds president Tori Beeler Watson.
Brian and Tori bring it all the way back to her time as a girl playing on boy’s teams in Knoxville before joining the Bearden Lady Bulldogs and eventually the Tennessee Lady Vols, where she and her pre-99er teammates were inspired by Pat Summitt to achieve the impossible.
After transitioning out of college soccer, Tori briefly coached collegiately before transitioning into color commentary and then pouring any additional time into youth development, including stints as a coach for Emerald Force Soccer Club and currently running the Knox Reds organization.
Now she’s set her sights on a new battle: breast cancer.
Listen in to learn more about Tori’s story, the growth of the women’s game in Knoxville, and how the lessons she learned on the field prepared her for her biggest fight yet.
Related links:
Listen to the first episode of the LEGENDS series with Junior Santos, director of Emerald Force Soccer Club and former pro in his native Brazil
Follow along with Tori’s personal journey battling breast cancer at The Pink Haze as well as Knox Reds on Instagram.
Watch the VFL Films piece about that time Tori stared down USWNT all-time leading goalscorer Abby Wambach (rad VHS footage included).
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LEGENDS: Tori Watson—Lady Vol, Knox Reds prez, Soccer heroine, brought to you by FIRST WATCH • #47