In a harrowing tale of resilience and unexpected football conversations, East Tennessee pastor Josh Sullivan was safely rescued from a kidnapping in South Africa earlier this week. Sullivan, a Maryville native and lifelong Tennessee Volunteers fan, was preaching a sermon when he was abducted by armed gunmen. His rescue, involving a shootout that resulted in the deaths of three suspects, has been widely covered, yet a surprising detail emerged in the aftermath: Sullivan’s reaction to the recent news surrounding Tennessee Football.
According to Fellowship Baptist Church pastor Tom Hatley, one of the first reports Sullivan heard after his rescue was about quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s departure from the Tennessee program. Iamaleava, who announced his transfer to UCLA, had been a key player for the Volunteers. “His wife told me the biggest conversation they’ve had since the rescue was about Nico leaving,” Hatley shared.
Iamaleava entered the NCAA Transfer Portal with a “do not contact” tag earlier this week, finalizing his transfer to UCLA on Sunday. The California native threw for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns, and five interceptions during his lone season as Tennessee’s starting quarterback. The move leaves Tennessee turning to redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and freshman George MacIntyre to lead the team, with head coach Josh Heupel emphasizing readiness and confidence in the quarterback room.
As for Sullivan, who has served in South Africa with his wife and two children since 2018, his safe return has brought relief to his family and congregation. “If Josh Heupel or the athletic director, Danny White, is listening,” Hatley suggested, “they should invite him to meet the team or even let him run through the T at a game. He deserves something special.”
Sullivan’s rescue serves as a reminder of the strength and community spirit within the Volunteer family, as they rally around both their program and those who share their passion for Tennessee sports.
