McEver, "Gene" (Eugene T.)
Football
b. Sept. 15, 1908, Bristol, VA
d. July 12, 1985
As a halfback, McEver scored an incredible 130 points for the University of Tennessee in just 10 games in 1929 and was named an All-American. He had a 90-yard touchdown run against Centre and eight other touchdowns runs of 25 or more yards that season, as Tennessee went undefeated, winning 9 games and tying 1.
After missing the entire 1930 season with a knee injury, he returned as a fullback in 1931. Forced to wear a knee brace, he lacked his former speed and mobility but still received some All-American mention at the new position, and Tennessee again went 9-0-1.
The first All-American from Tennessee and the first player from the school inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, McEver coached Davidson College of North Carolina to a 16-43-4 from 1937 through 1943, and he had a 1-7-1 record as interim coach at the University of North Carolina in 1944.