Peyton Manning is joining the many stars mourning Dolly Parton following the country legend’s death at 80. The Pro Football Hall of Famer shared a personal tribute to Parton, reflecting on the bond they shared through Tennessee and the larger-than-life presence she brought to the state.
According to Fox News, the Dolly Parton-Peyton Manning connection was especially meaningful because both became deeply tied to Tennessee culture in very different ways. Manning starred at the University of Tennessee before his NFL career, while Parton remained one of the state’s most beloved entertainers, business figures, and philanthropists throughout her life.
Peyton Manning Remembers Dolly Parton and Their Tennessee Connection
Manning shared a photo of himself walking alongside Parton at a Tennessee Volunteers game and wrote that there was “only one Dolly.” He added that he felt lucky to have known her and said Tennessee would not be the same without her.
The image came from one of Parton’s memorable sports appearances. On Nov. 18, 2023, she performed “Rocky Top” at a Volunteers game in Knoxville after the first quarter. The East Tennessee native later said the stadium was so loud that she could barely hear herself while singing, a fitting response for one of the state’s most famous daughters.
Dolly Parton’s Sports Moments Became Part of Her Larger Legacy
Parton’s connection to sports went beyond college football. Days after the Tennessee appearance, she performed during the Dallas Cowboys’ 2023 Thanksgiving halftime show in a bedazzled cheerleader outfit, singing “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” and “We Are the Champions.” Though she later admitted feeling nervous, the performance reflected the fearless attitude that shaped her career.
ESPY Awards
Kodak Theater
Los Angeles, CA
July 14, 2005/AdMedia
The Dolly Parton-Peyton Manning tribute adds another personal note to the outpouring after her death. Manning’s message reflected Parton’s deep place in Tennessee culture, where she became far more than a famous singer. Her Grammy-winning career, philanthropy, business ventures, and unmistakable state pride made her one of Tennessee’s most beloved symbols.