‘They don’t know it, but they make my life happy’- Jennifer Shoffner, deaf Campbell Cougar fan

Hours before kick-off, there’s one faithful Cougar fan already in the stands. By 5pm or earlier, Jennifer Shoffner’s in the stands soaking it all up. That’s the time cheerleaders arrive for pregame warm-ups, and she then waits for the Cougars to take the field for their warm-ups. She takes in every play until the final whistle, which she never hears. Because she is deaf.

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- “It makes me feel young again, and it’s a lot of fun attending Cougar and Lady Cougar sporting events,” said Jennifer Shoffner. The ever smiling Shoffner, deaf since childhood, has been a Campbell County Cougar Football and Basketball fan over their 50 year existence.

Campbell running back Brayden Graham stiff arms an Oak Ridge defender. (PHOTO COURTESY OF BRADY HATMAKER- INSTAGRAM @ bhat_vizualz)

Deaf people are very interested and involved in watching sports, according to Shoffner. “Because it’s easy for us to understand what is happening. Sports are big with deaf people,” said Shoffner.

Senior Cheerleader Kilyn Smith has cheered at Valley View Elementary, La Follette Middle, and Campbell County High Schools; and Jennifer Shoffner has been at almost all of Smith’s games.

Shoffner, along with Betty Hatcher, grandmother to CCHS Cheerleader Kilyn Smith, began attending Valley View basketball games when Kilyn started cheering. “It makes me feel like I’m a very important person and gives me another reason to smile,” said Smith.

Aside from attending football and Cougar and Lady Cougar basketball games, Shoffner has seen her share of Lady Vols basketball, Valley View Elementary School and La Follette Middle School basketball, and LMS football games. Going to games began with her good friend since age 9, Rita Boshears Henson, watching the Lady Vols. They attended countless Campbell Cougar and Lady Cougar basketball games to watch Rita’s brother, Doug, play and then his children, Spencer and Skylar Boshears.

Being a veteran Cougar football fan, Shoffner was prepared for the coolness during Campbell’s home game on Friday with Oak Ridge. Shoffner’s friend Betty Hatcher is behind her in the blue sweatshirt.

“It’s so much fun watching the kids today play sports. They don’t know it, but they make my life happy,” said Shoffner.

Shoffner began school at West La Follette School where she attended until midway through her fourth grade year. That was after she went deaf the year before in third grade at age eight. From there, she attended Daniel Arthur Special School at Oak Ridge followed by middle school at TSD (Tennessee School for the Deaf) at Knoxville. In 1979, she graduated from Harrison Chilhowee Baptist Academy. She studied for two years at Maryville College and finished at Chattanooga State Technical Community College.

On her way to her seat for last Friday’s Cougar football game, Jennifer Shoffner stopped for a photo with former Campbell County Cheerleader, who is now assisting the cheer team, Bella Fleming.

When deaf people get together, they are always talking about football and basketball and other sports, according to Shoffner. Tennessee Lady Vols Coach Pat Head Summit and Kay Yow of North Carolina State are her favorite coaches. “I really miss Pat. She was such a role model for young girls playing basketball,” said Shoffner.

“I love watching the kids play and cheer. It helps me forget how hard it is to be an adult,” said Shoffner.

A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobertini, owner of The Grand on Central.

Below, take a visit through The Grand on Central.

For bookings, email Olivia Lobertini ohlobertini03@gmail.com. Check on avails HERE. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 11/04/2024-6AM)

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