Tennessee pastor saved in lethal shootout after being kidnapped in South Africa ‘upset’ Vols break up with QB

The Tennessee pastor kidnapped at gunpoint at a South African church — then rescued in a lethal shootout — was “upset” after studying quickly after being saved that his beloved Tennessee Volunteers misplaced their beginning quarterback.

Josh Sullivan, 45, was in captivity for every week within the metropolis of Gqeberha when police arrived on the protected home the place he was being held on Tuesday and obtained right into a gunfight along with his three kidnappers, ending with the suspects being killed and Sullivan “miraculously” unhurt.

The Maryville-based pastor was reunited along with his household quickly after being rescued and is now on his manner again to East Tennessee.

Nevertheless, Sullivan found whereas in captivity that it had been a rocky week at ol’ Rocky High.

His good friend and fellow pastor, Tom Hatley, stated he reached out to Sullivan after being rescued, and through their first dialog, he revealed he was “upset over Nico,” WVLT 8 reported.

Sullivan’s spouse instructed Hatley that the “largest conference” she’s had together with her husband was about how now former Vols quarterback Iamaleava entered the switch portal and wouldn’t return to play subsequent season.

“Hey, the boy was raised in East Tennessee, what can I inform ya?” Hatley gleefully stated.

Now that Sullivan is returning house, Hatley had a request for the Vols’ head coach and group on behalf of his good friend.

“If Josh Heupel is listening to me or the athletic director, Danny White, let’s get this man in to see the staff, let’s let him run by way of the T, let’s do one thing as a result of he deserves it,” he stated.

Working by way of the “T” at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville is a pre-game custom the place the varsity’s Southland Band kinds a “T” on the sphere, and the staff, led by Smokey the Mascot, runs by way of it.

Nevertheless, Hatley stated he understands the gravity of the scenario and is grateful his good friend is protected and on his manner house.

Sullivan was preaching to his congregation of about 30 individuals on the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell when 4 armed males broke in and kidnapped him on April 10.

Kidnappings in South Africa have elevated by greater than 264 % within the final decade.

It was first reported that Iamaleava was in Identify, Picture and Likeness, or NIL, contract disputes with Tennessee, which was noteworthy contemplating the Spring switch portal opens April 16 — a day earlier than Sullivan was rescued.

Iamaleava, 20, reportedly was set to earn $2.2 million for the 2025 season within the last 12 months of the preliminary deal signed with Tennessee’s NIL collective and Spyre Sports activities Group. As a highschool junior, he put pen to paper in March 2022.

Iamaleava skipped follow with the Vols final Friday and didn’t play in Tennessee’s spring sport the next Saturday.

The household good friend denied stories that the quarterback’s absence was resulting from a “holdout,” or a part of a negotiating tactic.