– In a heartwarming display of devotion, 82-year-old Dolores “Lola” Aguilar made the long journey from her hometown in Fresno, California, to Knoxville this past weekend, just to watch her grandson, Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joey Aguilar, take the field.
Dolores, affectionately called “Abuela Lola” by her family, boarded a red-eye flight Friday morning with one mission: to be in the stands at Neyland Stadium when Joey led the Volunteers against a tough SEC rival. Despite her age and the challenges of cross-country travel, she insisted that nothing would stop her from cheering on her grandson during what could be one of the most pivotal seasons of his career.
“I told Joey since he was little, ‘Mijo, no matter how far you go, I’ll be there for you,’” Dolores said, clutching her bright orange Tennessee scarf. “I wasn’t about to break that promise now.”
Her arrival didn’t go unnoticed. When stadium cameras panned to the spirited grandmother holding a handmade sign reading “Go Joey! Love, Abuela”, the crowd erupted in applause. The video quickly went viral across social media platforms, drawing admiration from fans and even rival supporters. Many praised her energy, determination, and the pure joy she radiated in the stands.
Joey, who transferred to Tennessee last year and has steadily become a fan favorite, admitted that seeing his grandmother in the stands left him a little teary-eyed. “I spotted her during warm-ups, and it honestly gave me chills,” he said after the game. “She’s always been my biggest supporter. Knowing she traveled all the way from California to be here—it means more than any touchdown I could ever score.”
Teammates also joined in the celebration, with several posting photos alongside Dolores after the game. Head Coach Josh Heupel even gave her a special shoutout during the post-game press conference, calling her “the true MVP of the weekend.”
For Dolores, though, it was simply about family. “Football is great, but for me, it’s about showing Joey that he’s loved and supported no matter what,” she said. “That’s what family is for.”
The Volunteers secured a hard-fought victory, but for many fans, the highlight of the night wasn’t just the score—it was the sight of an 82-year-old grandmother, wrapped in orange and white, proving that love and loyalty truly know no age or distance.
