As the moon has its moment, VFL Joshua Dobbs keeps his eyes on the sky

Former Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs has never been one to cut corners, even in a world that often rewards the quickest path forward. Whether on the field or off, he gravitates toward challenges that demand patience, discipline and long-term thinking. Building a rocket requires a whole lot of all three qualities, and Dobbs − with a uniquely grounded perspective of what the Artemis II mission represents − has kept a close eye on the sky, watching as man gets reacquainted with the moon in 2026.

While readying for a career as a professional athlete, Dobbs studied aerospace engineering , which set him apart in the locker room and shaped how he views problem-solving, teamwork and innovation. The University of Tennessee at Knoxville named Dobbs a 2017 Torchbearer , the highest honor given to UT students who represent excellence in leadership and service. His orbital view of the world gives Dobbs a unique perspective as NASA and its partners push toward the next era of space exploration .

"Don't be afraid to do the hard thing," Dobbs said days before the scheduled April 10 return to Earth for Artemis II and its crew. "Don't be afraid to work hard. Don't be afraid to be yourself and push yourself and throw yourself at your interests that you enjoy and are fascinated by.

" Knox News caught up with the NFL quarterback and creator of the ASTROrdinary Dobbs Foundation to learn what it was like to witness an Artemis launch firsthand − and why he chose to bring University of Tennessee at Knoxville students along with him for the journey. This Q&A, conducted by higher education reporter Keenan Thomas, has been lightly edited for length and clarity. Keenan Thomas: I cover UT for Knox News, but I don't really cover the sports side.