Jamie Rotella became the sixth Tennessee linebacker to earn All-America honors over a seven year period as he was named All-America following the 1972 football season. During his time in Knoxville, Tennessee’s record was 31-5 finishing as high as #4 in the nation and never finishing outside of the top 10.
The Verona, New Jersey native joined his father, Al Rotella, as a part of Tennessee’s rich football heritage. Jamie’s younger brother, Mike, also played football for the Vols.
During his career at Tennessee, Rotella played with linebacker greats, All-America Jackie Walker (inducted to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2011) and all Southeastern Conference and member of the CFL Hall of Fame, Ray Nettles. Rotella recorded 112 tackles as a sophomore and 111 as a junior as well as 190 total tackles as a senior. His 413 career tackles became a school record at the time, although it has since been broken. However, Rotella currently holds UT’s single season record for assisted tackles with 90 set in his senior season in 1972. He was named AP National Lineman of the Week for his played in the Georgia Tech game.
Rotella was part of the 1970 Tennessee Volunteers who hold the NCAA record for total takeaways in a single season at 57. At the conclusion of the 1972 season, Rotella was also chosen All-SEC as well as team captain.
Rotella graduated Magna Cum Laude from UT in 1973 in Business Administration and was a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll. He was also Tennessee’s senior football player with the highest academic average.
Rotella played in three post-season all-star games after his senior season. Heading the list was the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., Coaches’ All-America Game in Lubbock, Tex. and the College All-Star Game in Chicago.
Rotella was drafted in the third round of the 1973 NFL draft by the Baltimore Colts. He elected to play for the Hamilton Tiger Cats in the Canadian Football League in 1973-74 and with Calgary Stampeders in 1975.
After his second knee surgery in four years, Rotella opted for a safer occupation in the explosive industry for companies throughout the southeast for 20 years. In 1997 Rotella was selected as a Silver Anniversary Butkus Award recipient, honoring the Best Linebackers in College Football.
He has two children, Mary Katherine and James Anthony and lives in Duluth, Ga