Sometimes Mackenzie George would rather be with a dog than a person.
One of those occasions is when she forces herself to participate in agonizing offseason training that most of her Tennessee soccer teammates would not want to attend. But Rocky, an Australian Shepherd-Border Collie, has followed the fifth-year senior since she transferred to UT in her sophomore year.
Rocky is sprinting alongside her while George sprints on the practice field. Rocky is giving her a water bottle in between sets if she is engaging in one of the wacky lifting routines that have made her famous on TikTok. Rocky is probably breaking her cones if she is conducting drills.
“It’s literally the greatest thing ever,” George described her canine workout buddy. “For something for me that seems a little bit sucky and not fun, he’s having a blast and kind of just keeps me going. … It keeps it light, and it makes it way more enjoyable that he’s there.”
Rocky is much-liked on TikTok as well. George’s video of Rocky with the most views this summer has 4.6 million views.
@kenzandrocky_ 3 years of repping orange with my best friend🧡 one last season to go:,) #fyp
George added, “I didn’t realize how much people actually paid attention and enjoyed it. It gives me a sense of pride and I really appreciate it … and I’ve always known (Rocky) was pretty special. He does things that dogs don’t do, so finally, people get to see him and I think it’s super fun.”
Besides posting exercises on her TikTok account, George is known for her strength and speed.
She might run two miles to the fields, sprint there, lift weights, take shots at goal, and then run two miles back home to cool down.
Tennessee coach Joe Kirt describes the All-SEC forward as the team’s energy source and an enigma.
“She’s got some qualities that you can’t coach, and she’s innately competitive,” Kirt said. “She’s an amazing young woman who’s very passionate about what she does on the field and off the field. Not many like her.”
Because of his competitive nature, George has started UT’s first three seasons. As a senior in 2021, she had her finest season to date, contributing 26.7% of the team’s goals with six of her own goals and a team-high 10 assists.
Her capacity to push through difficulties and widen the field for her teammates contributes significantly to the team’s culture. Her dog adopted by the team is also good for the locker room.
She has seven dogs at home in Lincoln, California, and George described Rocky as the most devoted dog she has ever encountered. Her awareness that Rocky would remain seated next to her locker during the whole session led to his regular attendance.
The summer after her first year at Cal Poly, where she was named the Big West Freshman of the Year, she took Rocky home as a puppy. George moved across the nation to Tennessee that summer.
She struggled in her first year away from home because she had to restart college and compete against SEC competition.
Rocky, though, was by her side the entire time.
“If I wouldn’t have had (Rocky), I would have just been glued to my bed,” George said. “In between practice, I think I would have just been in my apartment. I didn’t have a lot of friends at the time. I didn’t have a car really to get anywhere, and he got me out and around. … He has helped me build this whole home-feel in Tennessee, and it’s been amazing.”