1980 Dawgs -Revisited
From the website for 1980 Dawgs – The Inside Story of The National Championship Season™: A new documentary film produced in a 2 DVD, Collector’s Edition set. Contains over 3 1/2 hours of behind the scenes stories, including some never heard before and exciting game footage that fans will treasure. Over 25 Players and coaches relive the season with emotions that bring that special season back to life. more…
SEC Storied – Herschel
Dawg Fans will be glad to know, that next week on Wednesday, September 7th the first installment of a news series, SEC Storied will air. Our favorite son Herschel Walker is the first subject. I was fortunate enough to join Herschel and a contingent of my team mates at an advance showing last evening. Coach Vince Dooley and other members of his 1980 staff were there as well. The show will air on ESPNU and there were ESPN representatives as well as SEC Commissioner Mike Slive in attendance. This was a bigger deal than I had imagined.
The documentary was very well done, with many of the highlights we’ve all come to know and love and will never tire of. But, there were some new clips I had not seen and re-enactments of childhood scenes of trauma suffered at the hands of classmates. If you read Herschel’s book BREAKING FREE, you know some of those details. This trauma/abuse was the catalyst that brought about a certain rage that has fueled Herschel in almost everything he does. The struggle to feel ‘good enough” and find healthy outlets for his rage.
Football was that outlet for many years, but when his football career was over, problems arose.
I won’t reveal any more details and risk ruining the actual documentary for you. It is must see TV for any Dawg fan. Again, it airs next Wednesday at 8:00 PM on ESPNU.
Do It For Yourself – Part Two in a Series
Let’s get this out there from the very beginning. This series of blog posts are not intended to tell you how you should achieve your fitness goals. They are to share how I have made some significant strides in the right direction. Something clicked with me last year. I had gone to the doctor in December of 2009 and was literally in the worst shape of my life. My blood pressure was okay, because I took medication. My cholesterol was okay because it’s never been an issue. Both of these conditions are hereditary, one bad, one good. The one thing that was discovered was how close I was to becoming a diabetic. This set off some alarms in my head.
I was about to turn 51 at that time. My mother, who was a Type 2 diabetic, became very ill in May of 1981…she was 53. She died two and a half years later, when she was 55. My being borderline diabetic was not exactly an epiphany, because it took from late December to late March for me to start making changes. No one ever accused me of being the sharpest knife in the drawer, but finally it did click. Make sure you see your doctor before you GOYA(Get Off Your Apathy)(Click).
As I said yesterday, the first steps were literally baby steps. I went from a couch potato to a very consistent walker in a matter of a couple of weeks. I started very slowly because I didn’t want to do anything that would prevent my long term potential for success. Think tortoise and the hare and I was the tortoise. You should be the tortoise too. The problem is, we live in a society of hares.
Everyone wants it yesterday and they want it to be easy. Well, what I’ve done is simple, but it’s not easy. I have chosen to workout at home. I have some dumbells, some resistance bands and an adjustable bench. A couple of months ago, I did get a stability ball for certain exercises. I also do lots of push-ups. All in all, not very elaborate or super expensive. There came a point when my wife wanted to join a 24/7 gym. It was only $10/month for me so I joined. I never went. I had discovered something that worked for me and that’s very, very important. Find what works for you. I had been a member of World Gym in Marietta back in the late 90′s and loved it. This time however, it was not for me.
The combination of walking usually from 3-4 miles a day through September was sufficient. I lost 40 pounds by July but hit a snag because of my unstructured eating. More about that in my next post. In the fall, I discovered something very unexpected…YOGA.
I first discovered FitTV and the Yoga programs they offered. I also found something on Comcast cable. I never really used the On Demand feature until last fall and discovered the SPORTS AND FITNESS heading and EXERCISE TV, There are tons of free exercise videos including a Yoga/Pilates section. If you are a guy, don’t scoff. I am only talking about the physical nature of yoga, not spiritual. I have never been in the Lotus position doing the proverbial “ohmmmmmm”.
I’m talking about two different aspects of yoga that can’t be overlooked or denied. First, as a beginner, at the very least it helps your flexibility, which is crucial in whatever activities you engage in. If you choose to go further and do “Flow” or Vinyasa Yoga, it WILL kick your skeptical hind parts. It’s unbelievable. I maintained my 40 pound weight loss through the winter doing nothing but yoga, and no other aerobic exercise.
As the spring approached, I was talking on Twitter about my progress and some frustrations about my eating. A lady in South Carolina, we’ll call her Christy, suggested a book, THE FOUR HOUR BODY. Now Christy is a natural, female body builder and fitness competitor. That is a very unusual and extreme lifestyle for most people, but they do know what works in terms of weight loss and building muscle, so it got my attention. The book has some very unusual ideas in it, but the basic eating program makes sense. But that blog about how we eat is for next time.
Not The Biggest Loser, But…
Well, this past week marked the one year anniversary of my original proclamation of being sick and tired of being sick and tired. It was definitely TIME FOR A CHANGE, and I coined the term “GOYA”(Get Off Your Ass). It became my battle cry(click). For me it was just that simple. Of course, I also had to make some changes in my eating habits as well. As of this day, March 28, 2011, I have lost 62 pounds and still going. I wanted to take this opportunity to list some of the lessons I’ve learned so far, in what has truly been a lifestyle change, not just a diet. I will go in to more detail in the coming days. I’m actually looking for some before pictures and will be adding some after pictures also.
The first thing I did was walk out the front door. That first night I bet I only walked a 1/4 mile when my calves cramped up. As I limped home, I thought holy crap, how did I get here!? The answer? Years of apathy. One huge lesson from this past year is that APATHY is as significant a problem as any fast food establishment you might want to point a finger towards. In fact, as time has gone on, GET OFF YOUR APATHY has become interchangeable as a more G-Rated battle cry.
Getting back to walking. Within a couple of weeks I was walking a 2.5 mile loop near my neighborhood. That coupled with cutting back on portions was working like a champ. At the six week mark, I posted this update(click). Going in to the summer, I had hit a few plateaus, and wrote this update in early June. This basic approach was actually working but I had a few plateaus and challenges at this point.
I was feeling great, and looking better(not difficult), and another lesson hit me one day while walking. I was very tempted to jog a little ways. As a former “athlete”, I felt like I could do more and could reach my goals faster if I was jogging. Then it hit me. Hey, I’m 51. I have chronic injuries that feel better because of less weight to carry and the relatively low impact of walking. It made no sense to “push it”, because then the risk of injury goes way up. Just stay the course!
That’s when I coined the phrase “Extreme Moderation”.
Extreme moderation is a complete focus on doing the right things every day. It could be the exercise or what you eat. I believe one huge obstacle to a person’s ULTIMATE success in their fitness is the focus on results that are fast, not results that last.
Results that last, are never fast.
I see all the infomercials that claim fast weight loss and/or the programs that reshape your body in 90 days. Things like P90X work, but is it something that you do long term? I have done a very modified version I like to call P90Rex. The old P90Rex was more of a jaw workout as I ate my way through life. The NEW P90Rex is a program I could do until I’m 90, if it’s God’s will.
That’s a huge distinction. When you rely on pills, extreme diets or workout programs, there is no ultimate success. The ultimate success comes from good decisions made day by day by day. And when you do have that “off day”, don’t freak out, just get back on track. Even when you eat out, there are always better choices to be made, we just don’t always make them. The word apathy always creeps back in. The fact is , most of us know the right things to do, we just “don’t care” enough to do them. Get Off Your Apathy, and make some simple changes.
This week I will fill in the blanks of what has helped me get this far in my recovery. My fitness recovery. Many of you have encouraged me along the way. I thank you from the the bottom of my somewhat healthier heart.
Nothing to Say
I am for the first time in my life, refusing requests to be interviewed for radio shows and/or fan podcasts. Not that the phone is ringing off the hook, but I have had a few requests. If you have been a reader of RTK, you have probably noticed the diminished flow of posts this season. I guess the only way to say it is this.
“If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all.”
New Blood is Old School
Georgia Bulldog fans are out in force tonight, “discussing” the news that Dave Van Halanger is out as Strength and Conditioning coach at UGA and Joe Tereshinski is in. No, not the quarterback, his dad. Joe was an offensive lineman for the Dawgs in the mid-seventies. It was also announced that John Kasay would act as assistant S&C coach. No, not the kicker, his dad. Coach Kasay also played O-line for Coach Dooley back in the mid-sixties. This new blood is definitely old school.
I must say I was very surprised by the news. Most people realize that Coach Van is one of Coach Mark Richt’s closest friends. Now CVH will be working even more closely as his administrative assistant.
Reaction from Georgia Fans runs the gamut
from skeptical to what the hell?
Most fans expected an infusion of new blood. What Coach Mark Richt has done instead is withdraw what can only be described as “cord blood” to this football program. How many times has the DawgNation screamed for the days of Erk Russell. The old school approach to winning football. Hard work, toughness and a junkyard mentality.
Well here you go Dawg fans.
For the first time in recent history, we will have direct descendants of Coach Erk Russell. Men who played for and coached with the man synonymous with what we consider “Georgia Football”. We seem convinced that having each new Uga remain a direct descendant of the original mascots somehow significant. How much more so that “offspring” of our glory days have the opportunity to infuse these young Dawgs with old school work ethic.
This could work Dawg fans. It depends on the players and how much they buy in.
Go Dawgs!
I saw this look more than once while in Athens.
Whatever you think of my career at Georgia,
no man had a bigger impact on me than John Kasay.
Whether short or long term,
nothing but good things can come from his infusion of passion
into a seemingly anemic S & C program.
One of My Boys of Fall
I’m sitting here listening to Kenny Chesney backed by the Zac Brown Band playing THE BOYS OF FALL. Believe me, I’m not sitting here watching the CMA’s, I just knew they were playing. It prompted me to let you know about Joel Williams.
Joel was a punter that I coached at Marietta High School a few years back. He was a very solid punter, but not the greatest in the world, his talents were in the musical realm. I used to go watch him jam at blues bars around Atlanta when he was 16 years old. He was awesome.
Since I last saw Joel he come a long way and a lot has happened. He just happend to be a part of the Zac Brown Band for a time and played guitar on some of their most recent hits. But Joel has more important issues to concern himself with. He has aplastic anemia, an auto-immune disease that destroys bone marrow. He needs a bone marrow transplant.
This Saturday a group of his concerned Marietta “family” are having a fish fry to help raise money for Joel. Information is listed below. Come on by.
Saturday, November 13 · 2:00pm – 11:30pm
Two Monkeys Tavern
688 Whitlock Avenue
Marietta, Georgia 30064
or call 770-795-0944
A Weekend to Remember
As I mentioned last Thursday, the 1980 National Championship Bulldogs had a 30 year reunion this weekend. It’s always amazing to see this group of ultimate winners, and continue to learn what made this team tick. I wish I could have videotaped several of the after dinner conversations that went in the wee hours Saturday morning, but alas I was ill prepared.
Hugh Nall was able to attend his first reunion ever because he had always been coaching on the collegiate level somewhere at each of the other three reunions. Since he no longer coaches, but runs a trucking company in Albany, he had time and it was great to be with him again. I had seen Hugh at coaches clinics and the like, but this was the first time I had been around him for a prolonged period.
The coolest thing for me personally was something David Chandley of all people had for me. You may know David as the weather guy on Channel 2 in Atlanta. Well in 1980, David was a freshman student trainer at Georgia. I was talking to a couple of people Friday night and could see David out of the corner of my eye, like he was waiting for me to finish so we could talk.
He explained that as a student trainer you don’t get much love. He said from time to time, you might go ahead and “keep some stuff”. He said he had a box of “stuff” in his basement for nearly 30 years and just a couple of years ago realized he had something I might want.
I have had numerous people ask me over the years, if I had my old jersey or my old helmet. I never even considered taking either of those items because equipment manager Howard Beavers was a crotchety old cuss that had me thoroughly intimidated. I would not even think to ask much less just keep a jersey.
Well Friday night after 30 years, I received my old jersey. Better late than never!
Thanks David! You da man!
1980, Brothers are Brothers
It started out innocently enough. The captain of the 1980 Georgia Bulldogs Frank Ros, emailed an updated itinerary for the 30 year reunion this weekend. This is an “official” reunion weekend when many Bulldog Lettermen will be out in force. It’s a great fraternity to be a part of.
Frank’s email hit my Blackberry at 10:19 AM
What has transpired since is nothing less than comedy gold. The abuse and trash talk back and forth is an instantaneous trip back 30 years to a time when a group of young men went all the way from being just players, past becoming a team all the way to a brotherhood.
Being a blood brother is a powerful thing. Becoming a brother by choice is even more so. You may have heard the notion that an adopted child is supremely loved because it is chosen. A group of adopted brothers can achieve greatness.
Of course, being brothers has many facets and this team runs the gambit. Just like any family, there are good, bad, and ugly(Creamons) elements to it.
But we will always be family.
Go Dawgs!
National Camp Series Event
I have been asked to run another camp for Michael Husted of National Camp Series. The event will be held at Roswell High School on December 4th, 2010.
We will test participants in field goals, kick-offs, punting and also long snapping. Grades 9-12 are welcome.
Mark Richt Can’t Win
Mark Richt announced today that Caleb King will be suspended for the next two games for his Monday morning arrest for failure to appear in court. Fan reaction ranged from “not strong enough” to “way too harsh”. Let me be the first to say, “It’s perfect”! You may ask why? Well, I’m glad you asked. Let me explain.
First, let me go back to when Washaun Ealey was in a bit of a pinch(click here). Washaun was guilty of the hit and run of a parked car while driving with a suspended license. The discussion on Atlanta sports talk radio was varied. My boys Buck and Ole Kincade couldn’t come to a meeting of the minds.
Surprise! Surprise!
While John Kincade wanted heads to roll, Buck kept saying Coach Mark Richt had to be consistent in his choice of punishment. I actually disagreed with both. My take on this growing issue of mostly irresponsible behavior with some downright appalling criminal behavior is this. The only type of consistency I want to see is the heat consistently turned up on these players until they get the message. To me, that’s what happened today.
As I stated yesterday, an expulsion from the team would have been too harsh. A one game suspension for similar offenses had not yet worked had it? It reminds me of when my two sons were coming along. Neither were bad kids but we had the occasional issue to resolve. My philosophy was to find where their pain was. If it was a couple of smacks on the backside, fine. If it was taking the Nintendo away, great, but I was committed to finding what hurt the most and worked the best.
For most players, that means playing time.
Once again, I believe that CMR has pressed the right button, the perfect balance. The heat has been turned up, but we haven’t lost our player. It’s not just a different verse of the same old song. It’s a new song. He is definitely on a roll in the last eight days.
I hope he can keep it up.
Resurrection Day
The Georgia Bulldogs did not walk, they ran out of their tomb yesterday. Led on to the field by their Head Coach for the first time ever, the Dawgs responded with an energy not seen in Sanford Stadium in quite a while. It was great to see.
Mark Richt seemingly pressed all the right buttons(Click here), from tougher practices to getting off the bus dressed and ready to play, to the aforementioned run through the Redcoats, it was a great game for the Dawgs. There were many great calls on Saturday, but the best may have been Honorary Captain Boss Bailey’s pre-game speech. It sounds like Boss’s passion for Georgia Football shone through in a way some of the player’s had never, ever seen.(Click here)
Awesome!
If there was a theme for this game it’s “Where preparation met opportunity”. Tennessee did plenty to help the Dawgs Saturday, but the fact that we were in position to take advantage makes all the difference.
Aaron Murray continues to lead the way, distributing the ball 17 times to 7 different receivers. That’s a very important development. It’s only going to create problems for defenses down the road. We do however need to be able to run more effectively and not expect Aaron to carry so much of that load. We don’t need him hit as often as he’s being hit.
He’s a tough nut though!
Now it’s time to turn the page. Vanderbilt is next and I hope the CMR magic continues. Thanks to Bernie and Nama for the tickets and for the other offers to help an old Dawg see this great game! We’ll see you in Athens sometime soon.
A.J. always looks good, even wearing orange!
Need 2 to Stand in the Gap
If you have read much of Roughing the Kicker, you may know I only get over to Athens a few times a year to watch a game. I have fallen in to the routine of watching all the games I can possibly watch on any given Saturday. Tonight, I asked Mrs. RTK if she wanted to go to Athens and see the Tennessee game. Without hesitation she said YES!
That wouldn’t be that big a deal, but you see, she’s a yankee from Michigan. She received her undergraduate degree from Central Michigan(yes we went to that BIG DAWG beat down) and loves all thing Michigan…Big Blue, Sparty and of course, the Chippewas.
It didn’t take long for her to fall in love with the Classic City and UGA. She even looks for teaching positions in the greater Athens area, but I have really digressed.
I want to go to Athens this weekend because of the threat of no-shows. I want to “stand in the gap” as it were. The idea of standing in the gap is a biblical concept.
Because the Lord God did not find anyone to “stand in the gap,” to intercede for the land, He was requited to pour out the judgment due its disobedience.
Ezekiel 22:30-31
Now, I know it’s a stretch, but I want to encourage all of you that have considered NOT showing up as a means of protest, to reconsider. Abandoning this group of young men is beneath you as a true Dawg fan. They need us more now than ever.
But, if you can’t go for any other reason, I need two tickets for my wife and I. Sunday is her birthday and it will be part of her present. I want to see this thing turned around, not burned to the ground.
Email me at rexrobinson5@gmail.com.
Go Dawgs!
Henry to Kick vs. Bama
Florida’s Chas Henry has earned the reputation as one of the best punters in the country. As a Ray Guy finalist last year, he has seldom allowed any return yards in 3+ years as the Gators punter. Now he is being called upon to kick field goals tonight versus the top ranked Alabama Crimson Tide.
The starting placekicker Caleb Sturgis has been attempting to play with a back injury for weeks. Just this week, an MRI revealed a cracked vertebra and slipped disc. The injury apparently happened while lifting weights.
I spoke to Chas’s dad by phone this morning and he confirmed that Chas was kicking field goals and extra points and a walk-on freshman was kicking off for Florida tonight. This could prove to be a huge development because it changes everything for Henry. From weekly practice routines to pre-game and in-game preparation,
One positive is that Chas, who also is the holder when Sturgis kicks, feels very confident in his freshman holder. I hope Chas does well. I met Chas when he was a junior at East Paulding HS near Atlanta and I helped him prepare for the combine where he was discovered and ultimately offered by Florida.
To be perfectly honest, I hope Chas kicks four field goals and no extra points, if you know what I mean.
Alabama 24 Florida 12
When Dreams Die
Kenny McKinley is dead. I watched Kenny play quarterback at South Cobb HS when I coached at Marietta. We all marveled at his athleticism against some pretty good Blue Devil athletes. I enjoyed his career at South Carolina as well, except when he hurt the Dawgs as a standout wide receiver for the Gamecocks.
Kenny was a fifth round draft choice of the Denver Broncos and had been dealing with injuries for the last two seasons. He was on Injured reserve when he apparently took his own life. I have no idea why Kenny saw this as his only option, but maybe he saw his football career coming to an end.
I can honestly say that I know the utter frustration when a dream seems to be dieing. It does not mean that the dreamer has to die as well. I am praying that his will be an isolated decision that is not seen as an alternative for any other athletes, young or old. Sometimes a love for the game goes unrequited.
Sad but true.
TEAM me…One More Time
The motto TEAM me started with Coach Erskine Russell of course, but the meaning and attitude lives on in Roswell, Georgia. Two weeks ago I attended a fundraiser for Roswell Youth Football and Cheer Associations. Coach Vince Dooley spoke to the group of kids and their parents.
You may remember the names Matt McCormick and Heather Stepp McCormick. Both are DGD’s from way back. Matt played football and Heather a gymnast. Heather put the fundraiser together and was responsible for Coach Dooley being there. I don’t know how often Coach Dooley invokes the TEAM me as one of the catalysts for our 1980 success, but with Jim Broadway and I in attendance he referred to many of our fondest memories. TEAM me being one of the greatest.
The story was not lost on the 3rd grade Green Hornets and they called me to see if history could repeat itself. I delivered 22 TEAM me shirts in time for the first game today and the picture is below. By the way, the Green Hornets won 32-0!
What an awesome lesson in sports and in life…just one more time.
Thanks Coach Russell!
God Bless The Teacher
I just ran some errands with Mrs. RTK and one of the stops was The School Box. We’ve been there many times, but this time was different. You all probably know of the cuts in school budgets, furlough days and “reductions in force”. My wife was a victim of being “RIFFED” after having been a teacher for 32 years, but just one year in a new county. She went over 6 weeks without so much as a call for an interview, but has now landed back in the same county, just at a different school and position. We are thankful for that.
But, that’s not the reason for this blog post.
Something that has puzzled me in the eight plus years we’ve been married is how much of “our” money she spent on the kids. It was not always necessary, but if she thought it would help certain kids learn, she did it. What struck me today is that even in this teaching climate, the store was packed with some obviously veteran teachers and just as many new teachers full of ideas. All of them spending money they may not have, to be ready for the school year. It’s obvious to me that no matter what the situation is, the best teachers will find a way.
God bless those with the heart of a teacher.
Just Kickin’ It!
The next two weekends are going to be fun for me. This Saturday I will be headed towards Athens to hold a kicking clinic at Prince Avenue Christian School. Some dude named Tarpley had the bright idea that they might be interested. For once he was right and he and Coach Brian Wommack have worked to put it together. I really appreciate it.
All I have to do is show up and coach, the easy part.
I don’t even know how many kickers will be there, maybe 8 or 10. I just want every kicker to take something away from the experience. It may be something fundamental or a tip about getting more powerful. It’s different for every kid. Check back, because I will post pictures and maybe video if I can figure out how.
Next weekend, on July 24th, I will host a National Combine Series event at Riverwood HS in Atlanta. Click here to learn more.
Coach Richt, RTK and Down 34
I had a great time at the Georgia Kicking Camp last week. I saw Dax Langley and Billy Bennett as well as many young kickers I have met over the last few years. I am hopeful I will be able to be involved in the camp more in the future. One of the interesting developments of the day was seeing Coach Mark Richt for the first time since I started this blog.
As you may or may not know, as last season wore on, I had posted some controversial comments that got me in hot water with some fans. I wanted to make sure CMR knew where I was coming from. When I asked him about it, he said he had heard a little about it. We were interrupted before we could get too deep, but we talked about meeting down the road to finish the conversation. He certainly does not owe me anything, but it’s important to me have the discussion.
I saw several players while in Athens. Drew Butler looks like a decathlete. He spoke to the campers about the process he has a gone through as a player and young man. He did a great job. I met Richard Samuel for the first time. He is more beastly than ever before. He is up to 233 lbs. Brandon Boykin, Baccari Rambo and A.J. all look great. I met and spent a good bit of time talking to Coach Van Halanger. He was effusive in his praise of the work the guys have done this off-season.
Last and least is my continued effort to get back in shape. I had plateau’d between 25-30 lbs for several weeks. A trip to Jacksonville and the lure of great seafood did not help. I am happy to report that I now have broken through to a new and seemingly legit loss of 34 lbs.
My workouts have been slowed a bit the last week because of a strained flabdominal, but my daily walk is up to 3.5 miles and I’m just being consistent with moving forward, even when making eating mistakes. You can’t let a mistake derail you. Just keep going!
Have a great week folks!
Time To Join The Battle
I am at a point where want Roughing the Kicker to be a vehicle to provide what I consider valuable information to the Bulldog Nation. Not so much football related, although the closer we get to the season, my juices are starting to flow. One such instance is coming July 12th when the 6th Annual Bulldogs Battling Breast Cancer Golf Tournament(click here) takes place at the Georgia Club in Statham.
For those of you that don’t know, Chris Abbott was an offensive lineman from Douglas County who played for the Dawgs from 2002-2006. In 2003, his mom Teresa was diagnosed with breast cancer. She fought this battle and won, having been cancer free for over five years now. The Abbott’s now host the golf tournament to help women in need to get the mammograms they need for early detection and treatment.
Some of the Bulldog coaching staff as well as present and past players play in each foursome with participants. There is probably not a better chance to truly get to know the Dawgs than this.
Breast Cancer Awareness is at an all-time high, but until it is eliminated completely, we all need to fight this fight.
I hope to see you there.
Is Georgia the Real “Kicker U”?
I was going to post this last year and never did. Now, as of yesterday, I am working the Georgia Kicking Camp next Tuesday June 1st. Dax Langley is running the camp. It will be great to see him.
Ole’ Bill King of Junkyard Blawg fame or infamy depending on who’s posting, was apparently short on material one day. He posed the question that I am sure was on everyone’s mind at the time. Who is the best kicker in Georgia history?
I have no delusions on this one and actually posted a vote. UGA has had it’s share of successful kickers, whether on the college level or in the NFL. But is Georgia the true Kicker U?
I had to know!
Here is my UGA list:
Bobby Etter – Falcons – 1968, 1969
Alan Leavitt -All-America 1976 - Buccaneers – 1978?
Rex Robinson – All American 1979-1980 - Patriots – 1982
Kevin Butler – All American 1983-84 – Bears, Cardinals 1985-1997?
John Kasay – Seahawks, Panthers – 1990-Present – Holy Crap!
Todd Petersen – Giants, Seahawks, Falcons – 1991- 2005?
Billy Bennett – NCAA leader in FG’s (87)
Brandon Coutu – Seahawks – 2008
Blair Walsh – Lou Groza Finalist 2009
Who will be next? We may see him Tuesday.
Any guesses of the other Kicker U? The University of California-Berkeley
Ray Wershing – 49er’s – 1973-1987
Jim Breech- Bengals – 1978-1992
Mick Luckhurst – Falcons – 1981-1987(could have been longer)
Doug Brien – 49ers, Saints, Jets, Bucs, Colts, Bears -1994-2005
Ryan Longwell – Packers, Vikings – 1997-present
That’s a pretty strong group, but a couple of the guys I thought went to UC, Berkeley actually went to other California schools. Frank Corrale went to UCLA. So maybe UGA does out- shine Cal. It has been an amazing run for those who wanted to be a part of a great group of guys at Georgia.
Kickers? Different? Well yeah, you have to be to do what we do. It’s hard to put a finger on what came first. Crazy people being drawn to kick or kicking making them that way. Either way, you have to have a different mindset or you will be cuckoo for cocoa puffs.
As I mentioned earlier, I cast my vote on AJC.com. As much as I love the young guys, Kevin Butler is still the man. But who was the man that made the man, wanna be the man. Hmmm? Yeah, that’s right. lol. If you look, Kevin is still ranked #3 in career field goals and #4 in kick scoring in SEC history, nearly 25 years later!
Bulldog Club Rescue
Many Georgia Bulldog Clubs are struggling. I had heard bits and pieces about the differences in how the Bulldog Clubs are run and looked at by the University and Athletic Department. The last few years I have heard stories about declining membership and attendance. Some clubs are actually consolidating with other clubs. The thing is, it’s not a new problem(click here).
I was down in Jacksonville last week and was going to play in the Bulldog Club golf tournament, but it rained. And it rained. And it rained. So we didn’t play. It was a bummer but it gave me an opportunity to talk to some members and learn how things have changed for what was once the greatest of the Bulldog Clubs.
Before I get in too deep, let me say that I think I understand that the Bulldog Road Tour and Coach Mark Richt cannot go to all the clubs the way coaches used to do. That’s fine. But what I’m hearing about is a complete cutting off from any and all support and cooperation from UGA. What’s up with that?
These are the people who have bled red and black and have died a thousand deaths watching their beloved Dawgs. Before I go too far and say something that I will regret and get me in trouble, let me just say this.
I want to try and create a network of former players that the Bulldog Clubs can call on to speak and/or make appearances at club functions. This idea had it’s genesis from a Bulldog Club president who felt many members enjoyed hearing from former players more anyway. I have created a page on RTK called Bulldog Club Rescue. I am hoping to get some old team mates and other former players signed up to create some options for the clubs.
You have supported us and now it’s our turn to support you.
Let me know if your club needs help or if I’m barking up the wrong tree. Go Dawgs!
Tell me what you really think!