Former Tennessee Vol standout included among members of ESPN's NFL All Quarter Century team

When one thinks about the greatest players in the NFL over the last 25 years, a Tennessee Vol surely comes to mind.  Peyton Manning had a celebrated career, ending with two Super Bowls, three MVP awards, two Super Bowl rings, and a Hall of Fame jacket. 

And in fact, the Sheriff found himself on ESPN's All Quarter Century team that the network put out on Wednesday.  A 53-man roster and 16-man practice squad was created.  Manning was listed as one of three QBs on the 53, as one would expect. 

However, he wasn't the only former Vol on the list, as it turns out. Former Vols WR Cordarrelle Patterson also was listed as a practice team kick returner, coming in behind Pro Football Hall of Famer Devin Hester. 

Patterson, who is now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, has had quite the NFL career thus far.  After putting up a school-record 1858 all-purpose yards and 7 touchdowns for the Vols in 2012, he was the first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings (29th overall) in the 2013 NFL Draft.  Patterson has made a name for himself as one of the best kick returners in the league.  He's returned the most kickoffs for touchdowns in NFL history with 9. Only two other players (Josh Cribbs and Leon Washington with 8 each) in league history have more than 6. Patterson is also the all-time leader in kickoff returns (284), kickoff return yardage (8229), and 

Now that Hester has busted down the door for kick return specialists to enter the Hall of Fame, we'll see if Patterson - a four-time first-team All-Pro - will ever get that honor.  For now, he rightfully takes his place among the best players in the league from this century.