Tennessee football's Joe Milton making name for himself. So is Joe Morton | Adams

Few of my columns have produced as many email responses as a recent one on quarterback “Joe Morton.”

The reason for that? There is no Joe Morton.

But somehow in a print headline, Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton became Joe Morton. I’m not sure how that happened.

You can’t blame that one on me, but I’ve had more than my share of mistakes. One of my biggest occurred when I was editor of a weekly newspaper in my hometown of Clinton, Louisiana, while I was in college.

I raced out of the office to get a photo of a nearby train wreck. I even got to flash my press pass, which allowed me to get past security officers.

I took several photos, returned to the office, and discovered there was no film in the camera.

Don writes: I kept reading and reading waiting for Morton, but he never showed up.

My response: Joe Morton will forever remain a quarterback ghost.

Earl writes: You need to bench your proofreader. Hopefully someone caught it before it was printed in the Tennessean.

My response: Proofreaders have gone the way of linotype operators.

Patton writes: Who is this "Morton" that you featured in the headline of your article?

My response: Oh, you haven’t heard? He’s a quarterback ghost. Look for him at Halloween, but don’t expect to see his name above my column again.

Jim writes: Morton? Hard to imagine that typo didn't get caught by you and the proofreaders.

My response: Proofreaders? That’s as funny as Joe Morton. I didn’t see the error until an alert reader took a photo and emailed it to me.

Jeff writes: The headline for your article says "I Changed My Mind About Vols' Morton. Have You?" It should have been Milton, not Morton.

My response: I will make a note of that. Thanks, Jeff.

Rick writes: Do you think the New Sentinel will ever get Pruitt off the front page of the Sports Section? He’s old news, the PAST, and I am tired of looking at him on the front page. Let those stories-if there’s any interest- be relegated to page 3 or 4.

My response: I would like to get Joe Morton off the front page.

Eddie writes: Who is Morton?

My response: Hmmm. That’s a tough one.

But Craig Morton was the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos in the first Super Bowl I covered.

Vols Mark writes: Your assessment of Joe Milton is excellent.

To me, Joe Milton is an enigma, but I think Heupel can unlock that mystery.

I know everyone in Vol Nation will be rooting for him.

GobigJoe.

ADAMS: Don't believe in Tennessee football quarterback Joe Milton? This might change your mind

ADAMS: Did Phillip Fulmer apologize for hiring Jeremy Pruitt as Tennessee football coach, reader asks

My response: Milton always has had a strong arm. But now, he has improved his accuracy and decision-making, according to his coaches. He also has an exceptional offensive coaching staff that will enhance his chances for success in his final season as a Vol.

Gary writes: When UT was fined during Covid for $100,000 when Jeremy Pruitt did not wear the required mask… did school reduce his salary by the $100,000?

My response: I’m sure the school picked up the tab. Coaches rarely pay for anything. When was the last time you had lunch with a college coach, and he said, “Let me get this”?

But you gave me an idea for a Halloween costume. Orange baseball cap, white collared shirt that almost reaches the knees, and a COVID gaiter mask that doesn’t cover the mouth or nose: Who am I?

A photo of Pruitt in that poorly situated mask is a great way to remember one of the worst eras of Tennessee football.

But who wants to remember it?

Pruitt is as forgettable as Joe Morton.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football: Joe Milton makes name for himself. Joe Morton, too