Super Sports Fans Father-Child Duos

Dan Norton with his daughter, Lowe

For most fans, “Go Mocs!” is merely a cheer called out during a University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) game. But for superfans like Dan Norton and his daughter, Lowe, it’s become
a way of life.

In fact, from the moment that UTC’s cheerleading team noticed and adopted Lowe as an honorary cheerleader, Dan says his family became “diehard UTC fans.”

“Going to basketball and football games has just been a part of our life as a family from the time our daughter was little,” he explains. “When Lowe was barely over 2 years old, she would always stand up to dance and cheer during each time out. The UTC cheer team eventually started taking her to sit in their laps during the games. For the first five years of her life, she really thought she was on the UTC cheer team! As a father, there is nothing better than when someone makes extra effort to bring joy to your child’s life.”

When Dan and his wife first started attending games with Lowe, Dan says he had no idea that UTC sports would become his and Lowe’s favorite shared activity.

“Having a daughter, I never would have imagined sporting events would be a way for us to bond,” he says. “We always joke that our daughter is pound for pound the biggest UTC fan anywhere. It has expanded beyond just basketball and football. Because of the character of the athletes we have been able to interact with, we are now attending soccer matches, volleyball matches, tennis matches, and more. Basically, if UTC is playing, my daughter wants to be there. She gets so much joy attending UTC events, and
I love being able to share that with her.”

In addition to supporting UTC as a family, Dan also supports them through his business as an advertising partner with Mocs Sports Properties. And Lowe loves to help her dad with any ads that she can.

“Each season, Lowe takes pride in putting on her cheer uniform and doing a photoshoot that supports my business and our favorite teams,” Dan says. “She always has a huge smile on her face as she opens the programs to show her friends how much she loves the Mocs.”

Though Lowe has grown out of referring to the UTC team as “Go Mocs!”, Dan hopes she never grows out of her love for family UTC games and teaching younger fans how to make a power C – “only using the correct hand now,” he laughs.

Superfan Stats

1. Attended 200+ UTC basketball games in McKenzie Arena
2. Drives a Mocs-themed golf cart
3. Official licensed vendors of UTC – helps create cheerleader uniforms for next generation of Mocs fans (like Lowe), and all proceeds go back to UTC cheer
4. Attended the last three NCAA appearances, including the most recent 2022 game with Lowe
5. Only missed one game of the NIT Tournament in 2025 – Lowe attended two games too!

Bobby Winnie with his daughter, Reagan 

When you’ve both been born into a generational, University-of-Tennessee superfans family, it’s hard not to live and breathe it – especially during college football season. That’s what Bobby Winnie and his daughter Reagan have learned, anyways.

“Our lives revolve around UT sports,” he says. “Both of my parents were huge supporters, and I’ve been supporting them my entire life. Reagan was born into it just as I was, so she’s been a fan her entire life too.”

Loyal in his passion for UT, Bobby had a 142-consecutive-game streak for Tennessee Football from 1989 to 2003. But he admits there was one thing that could break it and steal first place in his heart … and that was welcoming Reagan into this world. Little did he know how much more gameday memories would mean when he could see them through his daughter’s eyes.

“I enjoy watching her experience huge moments just as I did when I was younger,” Bobby says. “One of my favorite memories was attending all the games in Omaha in 2024 and experiencing Tennessee win a national championship together; we also became celebrities as we were on TV numerous times. Second was Reagan attending the 2024 Tennessee-Alabama football game with me in Knoxville; it was the first time in her life that she got to see Tennessee beat them in person.”

And it’s not just UT football. Both Bobby and Reagan enjoy following the men’s basketball and baseball teams as well. They make it a goal to attend every home game for both football and basketball together, as well as travel to many away games. For baseball, they commit to roughly 15 games per season.

When Bobby and Reagan are not in the stadium or traveling, their family enjoys setting up their tailgate on the weekends – inviting close friends and numerous family members. Whatever it looks like, Bobby loves that UT gives them a common interest and reason to celebrate together. 

“Every Saturday is like a reunion,” he finishes. “Overall, it’s fun and very prideful to share a love for UT with Reagan.”

Superfan Stats

1. Attended 142 consecutive Tennessee football games from 1989-2003
2. Active donor and season ticket holder for 30+ years
3. Attends all home games for football and basketball together
4. Hosts family tailgate parties every Saturday

Orlando Green with his son, Calix

Getting to watch some of the greats – like Reggie White and his all-time favorite quarterback, Peyton Manning – Orlando Green has been cheering for the University of Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Titans since he was a child.

As an adult, Orlando now gets to share his love for the Vols with his youngest son, Calix.

“All of my children, including Calix, have also been sports fans from a very early age,” he says. “They developed a love for the Vols by watching me scream at the TV in all of my sports gear.” And not much has changed over the years – except that now Calix joins in on Orlando’s enthusiasm every game day.

A typical college football season for Orlando and Calix can look like watching several games in the media room to hosting parties for friends and family to occasionally attending a pro football game as father and son. No matter if it’s armchair quarterbacking from their living room or eye-witnessing the Tennessee Titans winning against the Kansas City Chiefs, Orlando says nothing compares to experiencing it all with Calix.

“It means a lot to share these moments and memories with my kids,” he explains. “Sports have always allowed each of us to bond as father and son while spending quality time together. Overall, sports have helped Calix and I to bond more organically around a topic we both enjoy and share a love for.”

In fact, what started as father-son watercooler talk has now grown into something more for Calix. Orlando says he hears the voice of a budding ESPN reporter rather than a teenager quoting stats and plays. To encourage Calix’s passion for sports journalism and help him hone his craft, Orlando bought podcasting equipment.

“I think it’s awesome, and I’m a super proud dad when I see Calix doing something he truly enjoys and wants to get better at,” Orlando says. “We want to help him to continue to improve with all aspects of sports reporting in terms of on-screen confidence, vocal clarity, as well as seeing himself speaking into the camera.”

Whether Calix reports in Tennessee orange or another team’s colors someday, Orlando knows that their father-son mantra will always be, “It’s great to be a Vol.”

Superfan Stats

1. A Tennessee Vols fan since childhood 
2. A Tennessee Titans fan since the team relocated here as the Houston Oilers after the 1996 season
3. Attended the Dallas Cowboys vs. Tennessee Titans game with Mrs. Green at their newly built stadium – the Titans won!
4. Bought podcasting equipment to practice sports reporting together
5. Witnessed the Tennessee Titans triumph against the Chiefs in Nashville’s only head-to-head matchup, and Calix fell asleep during the game

Sean Hacker with his daughter, Jordyn and son, Jackson

For Sean Hacker and his family, it’s all about the University of Georgia (UGA) Bulldogs – both in the wins and the losses. Sean says his daughter Jordyn and son Jackson have seen him celebrate and support the team all his life and also became UGA fans along the way.

“I root for the Georgia Bulldogs because my favorite NFL defensive player, Champ Bailey, played for my NFL team, the Denver Broncos; he also played at Georgia,” he explains. “I have been a fan for over 20 years. Over those years, Jordyn and Jackson have watched me cheer on the Dawgs through the good and the bad times, so I guess they just went with it too.”

Sean says their family likes to keep it simple throughout the season with the typical busy weekends – either hosting or attending watch parties – and a few high school home games here and there. “We have no family traditions, just a lot of red and black,” he says.

Though their quiet passion may not look like some superfans’ pageantry, it certainly reflects the unwavering dedication and consistency that they commit to in all areas of their lives – whether watching or playing football.

For the past five years, Sean has coached Jackson through his youth football teams – slowly transitioning to his trainer, as Jackson now plays competitively in Atlanta, Georgia. According to Sean, there are many long days for the two of them, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. Especially when he remembers what it was like to be a superfan at Jordyn’s and Jackson’s ages.

“Sports were something I wish I had my dad doing with me,” he says. “So, getting out there – committing to the grind, sweating with Jackson, and showing him that I will be right there – even when it gets hard? I love every bit of it.” 

In the long run, Sean wants his dedication – both as a father and UGA superfan – to serve as a lasting example for Jordyn and Jackson. More than anything, he hopes their love for each other and football will become a legacy that’s written in red and black and shaped by loyalty and passion. “I’m trying to teach them that nothing will be free in life,” Sean finishes. “You have to work hard and stay consistent in everything.”

Superfan Stats

1. Georgia Bulldogs fan for 20+ years
2. Red and black everything – even the family dog’s bandanna!
3. Watches the game every Saturday with family and friends
4. 5+ years coaching Jordyn & Jackson to help prepare them for college sports/scholarship

Tim Long with his sons, Hunter and Austin 

From playing center for Bradley Central High School to being drafted by the NFL to professionally coaching his sons – Hunter and Austin – Tim Long says college football has been the MVP for his family.

Now that both of his sons are grown and have families of their own, he admires how football has helped to build the foundation for their families’ values. 

“Football was basically the cornerstone to our relationship as Austin and Hunter grew up,” he explains. “I was blessed to be able to coach both boys from pee-wee football all the way through high school, where I volunteered as coach for nine years. It was our way to spend a tremendous amount of time together and for me to try and instill in them all of the life lessons that I had learned through sports.”

Tim played center for the University of Memphis before being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, and Indianapolis Colts, but he says his family has been devoted Bulldogs fans ever since his sons received football scholarships from the University of Georgia (UGA). Though he has many memories on the field, Tim’s favorites are those he’s made as an audience member at Austin’s and Hunter’s games. 

“In 2011, when Hunter committed to join Austin in Athens, I had just changed jobs and the company didn’t care where I lived, so Lisa and I decided to just join them and moved to Athens,” Tim says. “It was probably the best two and a half years of my life … The best memory for me was the first time I was able to sit in Sanford Stadium and see both of them run onto the field at the same time – it’s something I will never forget.”

The Longs may not live in Athens, Georgia, anymore – or even the same state – but their group text thread stays busy during football season, and they reunite for as many UGA home games as possible. Now, as Tim sees his grandkids in cheerleading outfits and hears their little voices barking “Go doggies!”, he says he cherishes the legacy and traditions they’ve built as a family and with fellow UGA families and friends.

“I hope that through our continued love for the sport and each other, we can thank all the people along the way that not only helped us but also shared in the ride with us,” he finishes. 

Superfan Stats

1. Attended all UGA games during 2009-2016, while both boys were students/players
2. Inherited UGA “Players’ Family Tailgate” spot and set up every Saturday at 7 a.m. for UGA seniors and families
3. Hosted family and UGA players’ families at Athens rental house – AKA the Long’s “Bed-n-Breakfast”
4. Shares season tickets as a family
5. Attends at least one home game a year, and goes on father-son “guys trips” to games when possible