The last time I felt this way was back on January 1, 1981 when I was an 18 year old freshman at UGA storming the field right after we beat Notre Dame for the National Championship. Of course, at the time I didn’t think I would have to wait longer than Moses was in the desert to experience that same jubilation.
I was lucky enough to be in Athens during the “Golden Years” of UGA football. I never saw Georgia lose in Sanford Stadium from my freshman year until the final game of my senior year when Auburn managed to squeeze out a narrow victory. I remember everyone in the stands during that game looking around at each other wondering what just happened.
After I graduated, there were many years I would be “off the Dawgs” for the week following a loss to Florida. I would have to go to a movie during a Georgia game to keep from watching the game. This was my way of punishing the Dawgs for disappointing me. Then the following week, after a win, I would, of course, be back “on the Dawgs.”
This year when Bama crushed us in the SEC championship game, I once again was “off the Dawgs.” So, when Georgia played Michigan in the first playoff game I went to see “Sing 2” at the theater. Once we beat Michigan I was “back on the Dawgs,” and like many of you, I was ecstatic to see Georgia finally beat Alabama and win the National Championship. As I watched the final seconds tick down, I fondly recalled storming the field with my buddies during the celebration back in 1981. For a brief moment I felt 18 years old again!
In this issue, you’ll find many other reasons and ways to celebrate. So go party like its 1981—or 2022!
