Tennessee defensive back Orlando “Boo” Carter, a Chattanooga native, has been making headlines both on and off the field as he enters his second season with the Vols.
In a powerful display of hometown pride last week, Carter used his Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) earnings to sponsor new uniforms for his former team at Brainerd High School. The jerseys feature a small ghost logo, a nod to his nickname and personal brand.
Carter’s support was a game-changer for the Panthers football program, supplying them with nearly 30 new sets of jerseys and pants. A new uniform for a high school team can cost up to $200 per player.
“Brainerd High will always hold a special place in my heart,” said Carter, “My mom and pops both graduated from Brainerd. My mom ran track, and my pops played football and ran track, so the culture and community run deep in my family.”
Carter attended Brainerd High during the winter and spring semesters of his junior year, and helped lead Brainerd’s basketball team to the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) state tournament in 2023. He transferred to Bradley Central for his senior football season before joining the Vols in 2024.
Brainerd’s athletic director, Reggie Jackson, said Carter’s generosity “shows the community and city that he is one of us.”
Head football coach Sammy Seamster Jr. added that the players were “ecstatic” about the new uniforms, especially since Carter never played a single down of football for the school.
“That just shows the kind of character he has, his heart for giving back, and the love he still carries for a school he only spent a short time at,” Seamster said.
While Carter was making an impact off the field, his on-field status was in question after a summer of uncertainty. He missed team activities, leading to questions about his standing with the Vols. According to head coach Josh Heupel, Carter had “some things he’s got to accomplish” to get back on the field, and his teammates played a role in supporting him.
Carter, 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, made his determination to return clear during fall camp, battling to reclaim his spot on the depth chart. His efforts paid off, as he saw playing time in the Vols’ season opening win against Syracuse on Aug. 30.
Heupel noted that he was “excited and pleased with a lot of things we’ve seen from him.”
In a last-minute twist, the Brainerd-Howard football matchup–set to showcase the Panthers’ new uniforms–was canceled just a day before kickoff. Brainerd had been poised to host Howard on Aug. 30 at 1 p.m., hoping to stretch its five-game winning streak in the storied rivalry.
A Facebook post from Brainerd High School stated: “The safety of our students, staff, and community is our top priority. Due to circumstances outside of our schools and with recommendations from local law enforcement agencies and principals, the district has made the decision to cancel The Howard School and Brainerd School football game scheduled for Saturday.”
The cancellation has become a recurring issue for Howard games. Anti-violence advocate and Brainerd alum Ladarius Price expressed disappointment for the players who worked hard for the game, saying the cancellation “reflects a much bigger issue” in the community.