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Georgia Bulldogs fans will remember 1977 as one of the few losing seasons we have had to endure in the Dawg Nation. In fact, In my 50 years on the planet, UGA has had 7 losing seasons. Georgia Tech has had 15, just fyi. I have talked about my freshman year(‘77) a few times. This Tech game could have been called the battle of the bogus. The winner would go 6-5, the loser 5-6.  Tech won.

The reason for my post is not about what happened between the lines, but what happened in the stands and on the sidelines. Keep in mind, this was the last game of the year of course, and probably our fourth away game. Nothing we had experienced, prepared me for what happened that day, but some background first.

I think it’s important to say, I did not grow up a huge Georgia fan. My family had no loyalties to speak of.  When my recruitment began, Georgia Tech was front and center and actually pursued me more aggressively than Georgia did. Memphis State was also in the mix, but was too far away for my liking. The point is, I went to plenty of Tech games as a recruit.  Even so, I had no idea what was in store when one year later, I would return as a Georgia Bulldog.

From the very beginning we knew it was going to be a long day. The Georgia Tech student section was hurling insults and dog biscuits during the game. We had to wear our helmets the entire time or run the risk of getting hit in the face.  We had already experienced our fair share of injuries, but the total would increase this day. Things got so bad, fellow freshman Scott Woerner, who at that point was mainly a return man, was taking snaps in case he had to play quarterback.

The seeds of hatred were sown in very fertile soil that day. Taking abuse from the likes of these nerds, who apparently had so much pent up rage from the repeated wedgies of days gone by, they couldn’t help themselves. This was their chance. To throw things from well outside of harm’s way, in the melting pot of humanity, obscure as ever. The fact that no one in authority, i.e. security/police did anything, lets me know that the lack of class went all the way to the top.

My only advice to you is this Tech fan. Enjoy yourself while you can, because your success against Georgia is the exception, not the rule.  But then you knew that, didn’t you? If you win this weekend, you will inch closer to having a winning record against UGA at Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field.

Right now it stands at UGA 25…Georgia Tech 20…3 ties.

Go Dawgs!

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