Saying Joshua Dobbs has left an impact in Tennessee would be an understatement.
Dobbs recently concluded his football career ats quarterback of the University of Tennessee and set a bevy of records, including the most career rushing yards by a QB (2,160), rushing touchdowns by a QB (32), single-season rushing yards for a QB (831 in 2016) and single-season TDs by a QB (12 in ‘16) at the program to go along with a 23-12 career overall record (3-0 in bowl games) at the school tying Condredge Holloway as the fifth-most wins in school history.
But Dobbs’ story isn’t just on the gridiron. While the signalcaller prepares for the next level of play, a trip to Kingsport was made on Thursday, Feb. 23, at Eastman for a special celebration in honor of Black History Month. The event was sponsored by Eastman with Milligan College and Northeast State Community College serving as contributing sponsors.
Fans showed up in droves to hear Dobbs share his story from his upbringing in Alpharetta, Ga., to where life has brought him now.
“My goal is to just be myself,” Dobbs said. “It’s an honor to be viewed as a role model. I try to walk the right path, make the right decisions and just be myself in life and I’m very thankfully for where it’s led me to today.”
Faith and the support of his parents, Robert and Stephanie, is the driving factors playing into Dobbs’ busy life. Balancing a starting quarterback role and a major in Aerospace Engineering, the Vol also spent time volunteering with countless organizations and recently helped out following the strand of wildfires that affect Sevier County at the end of ‘16.
“I think it prepared me for life,” Dobbs said about playing football in Knoxville. “When playing sports, especially at the University of Tennessee, it comes with such a great platform. The goal is to use that platform for as many positive ways as possible.”
It’s a message that Dobbs encourages upcoming athletes to use, stating that there is life after sports.
“Just take advantage of your platform,” he said. “Sports gives you a great platform but sports aren’t the world. There’s a life after sports. Take advantage of your opportunities, whether it is giving back to your community, whether it’s on the football field or in the classroom. Use that platform to make a difference.”
The platform has led Dobbs  to have a special place in his heart for Kingsport and Northeast Tennessee. Whether it was talking about (Tanya) Foreman, Eastman employee and mother of current Vol Malik Foreman, being his “Knoxville mom” or roommate Thomas Edwards being welcomed back home as a celebrity in Kingsport, the area has been on full display during his time in Tennessee.
And with what Eastman provides to the area, Dobbs encourages area students to continue pursuing their dreams, especially in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) field.
“Pursue your passion,” Dobbs said. “Thankfully my parents signed me up for STEM camps growing up, … Tuskegee airmen camp … it really help me with math and science. After seventh-grade, I knew I wanted to go in aerospace engineering. STEM is a great field and it continues to grow each day. I’m excited about being in the field and it’s future moving forward.”
But the education is equally balanced with football. Dobbs shared with Eastman executive Mark Cox that one of his memorable moments down in Knoxville with the game-winning touchdown throw against Georgia during the ‘16 season.
While reminiscing about his career in Knoxville, Dobbs added he’s eyeing the upcoming NFL Combine, scheduled for Tuesday.
“I’m excited about heading to the (NFL) Combine on Tuesday,” Dobbs said. “I’m hoping to play football as long as I can then move on to the corporate world.”
Does the corporate world possibly mean Eastman?
“We’ll see,” he said with a smile. “We’ll take things just one step at a time.”
Along with the Dobbs’ chat with Cox, attendees were greeted by various presentations by Eastman representatives and performances by the East Tennessee State University Gospel Choir that netted a handful of standing ovations.