ESPN EXCLUSIVE
“I SAID YES TO FOREVER”: JOSHUA DOBBS ANNOUNCES WEDDING DATE IN A HEARTFELT REVEAL THAT MELTS THE NATION
JUNE 11, 2025 — KNOXVILLE, TN — By ESPN Senior Lifestyle Correspondent
In a moment that has sent shockwaves of joy through the Tennessee Volunteers community, NFL fans, and romantics across the country, Joshua Dobbs, beloved former Tennessee quarterback and current Volunteers assistant coach, has officially announced the date of his upcoming wedding — and it’s a moment fans and loved ones alike will be circling in red ink.
Dobbs and his fiancée, Chanel Anderson, whom he has dated for over three years, will officially tie the knot on Saturday, December 20, 2025, in an intimate yet elegant winter ceremony to be held in Nashville, Tennessee. The announcement, made through a joint Instagram video posted just hours ago, was accompanied by a caption that read:
> “She said yes a long time ago. Now we say yes forever — Dec 20, 2025. Let’s start our forever, together. 🧡💍 #DobbsEverAfter #VFLLoveStory”
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THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT BROKE THE INTERNET
Within minutes of the announcement, the video — which featured behind-the-scenes clips of their engagement photoshoot, snippets from game day moments, and scenes from the couple’s favorite travels — amassed over 1.3 million views. The post was flooded with congratulatory comments from NFL teammates, fellow Tennessee alums, college coaches, and adoring fans.
Among the earliest to comment were:
Peyton Manning: “Proud of you, brother. Wishing you both a lifetime of blessings and love. #VolsForever”
Kyler Murray: “Let’s gooooo! About time, Dobbsy 💪🔥 Congrats you two!”
Coach Josh Heupel: “We’ve got a wedding in December! Tennessee family all the way. Congrats to two amazing people!”
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FROM ROCKET SCIENCE TO ROMANCE: THE STORY OF DOBBS & CHANEL
Joshua Dobbs, the aerospace engineering graduate and current offensive assistant at Tennessee, met Chanel Anderson, a marketing strategist and former Georgia State volleyball player, in early 2022 while Dobbs was playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The two connected during a charity event organized by the NFL’s “Inspire Change” initiative in Atlanta. What started as a brief encounter quickly turned into a deep, supportive relationship founded on mutual respect, spiritual connection, and shared ambition.
Chanel, originally from Savannah, Georgia, has become a fan favorite in her own right. Known for her style, her involvement in women’s empowerment causes, and her vibrant presence during game days at Neyland Stadium, she has been frequently spotted by Dobbs’ side during his recent transition back to Tennessee.
“She’s been my peace in chaos, my cheerleader, and my best friend,” Dobbs said in an exclusive ESPN interview recorded before the announcement. “As I was figuring out what came after football, she believed in me more than I did myself. That’s when I knew — this woman is my forever.”
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THE PROPOSAL: A NIGHT UNDER THE STARS
Dobbs proposed to Chanel on February 14, 2025, during a stargazing date at an observatory just outside Knoxville — a fitting tribute to both his romantic sensibility and his passion for aerospace. The proposal was private, personal, and cosmic in every sense of the word. Chanel later revealed on her blog that Dobbs had designed a custom ring, choosing a unique round diamond set between two sapphires to represent Tennessee and the night sky.
“He literally told me, ‘This is our constellation — and it starts with this ring,’” Chanel wrote. “I was crying, laughing, and shaking all at once.”
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WEDDING PLANS UNVEILED: A SOUTHERN WINTER FAIRYTALE
Now that the date is public, so too are some of the finer details of what is being dubbed by fans as “The Orange Wedding of the Year.” While the couple plans to keep most of the day’s proceedings private, ESPN has confirmed several key elements of the Dobbs-Anderson nuptials:
Date: Saturday, December 20, 2025
Location: A private estate outside Nashville, featuring historic Southern architecture, a small lake, and a glass greenhouse for the indoor reception.
Guest List: Expected to be around 150 close family and friends, including prominent NFL players, Tennessee alumni, and college coaches from Dobbs’ past.
Attire: The wedding party will wear custom-designed pieces inspired by winter palettes — ivory, midnight blue, and soft copper accents.
Ceremony Theme: “Celestial Winter Elegance,” with starry-night lighting, snowfall effects, and even custom constellations designed for the couple projected onto the reception ceiling.
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VFL FAMILY TO THE CORE
What makes this wedding announcement even more special is its connection to the Tennessee Volunteers family. Multiple sources close to the couple have confirmed that Dobbs plans to include several of his former teammates in the ceremony, including best friend Jauan Jennings (now with the 49ers), who will serve as his Best Man.
Additionally, Alvin Kamara, Josh Malone, and Cam Sutton are rumored to be part of the groomsmen lineup, while Chanel’s bridal party is expected to include her college teammates and her younger sister, Mariah Anderson, as Maid of Honor.
Neyland Stadium may not be the venue, but it’s clear that Rocky Top will be a spiritual presence throughout the celebration.
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LIFE AFTER THE WEDDING: BUILDING TOGETHER
In a joint statement released to ESPN, Dobbs and Anderson emphasized that their shared goals extend beyond the wedding:
> “We’re not just building a wedding day, we’re building a life. We want to continue mentoring young athletes, advancing STEM education, and creating a home that reflects faith, family, and forward motion.”
Following the wedding, the couple plans to honeymoon in South Africa, with stops planned in Cape Town, Kruger National Park, and Johannesburg. After that, they will return to Knoxville to begin life as a married couple — just in time for the 2026 football offseason.
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SOCIAL MEDIA ERUPTS WITH JOY
#DobbsEverAfter quickly became the #1 trending topic on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram within 30 minutes of the announcement. Fans posted throwback photos of Dobbs’ playing days and their favorite moments of the couple over the past few years.
One tweet by @VolsForLife read:
> “From launching touchdowns to launching into love. Joshua Dobbs deserves every happiness. Can’t wait to see this wedding! #DobbsEverAfter 🍊💍✨”
Another fan account posted:
> “First he gave us wins. Then he gave us dreams. Now he’s giving us the love story of the decade. VFL in every way. 👏👏👏”
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A FAIRYTALE STILL BEING WRITTEN
For Joshua Dobbs, who once juggled quantum physics lectures with SEC defenses, and Chanel Anderson, who traded her volleyball spikes for marketing campaigns and purpose-driven outreach, this next chapter represents more than just matrimony. It represents a merging of ambition and heart, of discipline and devotion — and of two people ready to build something enduring together.
Dobbs, always known for balancing logic and emotion, may have said it best himself when closing his announcement video:
> “I’ve chased dreams across football fields and galaxies. But the best journey I’ll ever take is the one that begins with her… on December 20.”
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Stay tuned to ESPN Lifestyle for exclusive coverage of the Dobbs wedding weekend in December, interviews with guests, and a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most anticipated love stories in the sports world.
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