John Adams
Knoxville News-Sentinel
ATHENS, Tenn. (KNS) -- Rob Preston wasn't trying to inflame the passions of football fans when he sought a speaker for the annual Athens Chamber of Commerce dinner this summer. He just wanted a well known speaker who would draw a crowd.
That's nothing new. As president of the chamber, he has been selecting speakers for six years. His track record is impressive.
Preston first contacted Nick Saban's people last spring. It wasn't until two months ago that a date was firmed up. The Alabama football coach agreed to speak June 11.
Preston was elated.
But I suspected others might not be as excited about Preston's big get. So I asked if he had received death threats.
"Close, but not quite," he said.
I don't know if he was kidding.
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