For a few hours Monday night, as we watched the Georgia Bulldogs win the National Championship, almost everyone in the Boro was a Dawgs fan. The University of Georgia Bulldogs kept the town up late Monday night in a game that was thrilling until the very end.
No question, productivity in the Boro was down on Tuesday, but spirits were high. It seems like more of a dream, than reality, that two Georgia teams are champions in the same year.
Many of us were taken back to wonderful memories of the last time Georgia won a National Championship in 1980. I was 14 and a freshman in high school, but it seems like yesterday.
A loyal Georgia fan and Grice Connect follower reached out this morning and asked if we could dig up Clisby Clarke's "Hunker Down Hairy Dawgs" and share it with our readers.
Over the past few weeks leading up to last nights soulful victory, we heard names that were as iconic as the championship including Larry Munson, Lewis Grizzard and Clisby Clarke. It made me wonder how many people today, have no clue who these legends were.
Even Kirby Smart, UGA Head Football Coach, quoted Larry Munson in his victory interviews.
I did a little digging on the internet and found a few jewels that will help you explain who these people were and the impact they had on so many of us.
One of the greatest gifts to Statesboro from the 1980 National Championship was Coach Erk Russell. He departed UGA as their defensive coordinator and came to Statesboro to restart the football program. On May 23, 1981 he was announced as the head coach of a soon to be built, Georgia Southern Football program.
Audio of UGA announcer Larry Munson
Clisby Clarke's Hunker Down Hair Dawgs
Lewis Grizzard's Greatest UGA Quotes
Here are some of Lewis Grizzard's greatest UGA quotes printed in 2018 in a story published by SBNation.
“It was so good,” Dorsey Hill said, “listening to Larry Munson was better than being there.”
“I said the blessing before we had lunch. I thanked the Lord for three things: fried chicken, potato salad and for the fact he had allowed me the privilege of being a Bulldog. “And , Dear Lord,” I prayed, “bless all those not as fortunate as I.”
“A tie was a gift from heaven,” said Dorsey. “Notre Dame gets knocked out of number one, but Tech doesn’t get a win. God is a Bulldog.”
“If those wusses had wanted to do something to make Georgia Tech look good in Sanford Stadium Saturday, they should have put on pads and gone out and stopped Garrison Hearst. The Tech defense couldn’t, to the tune of a two-touchdown loss.”
“Frankly, I don’t want to talk about it.”
“A female member of the Notre Dame band, holding onto her flute as she surveyed the incredible scene before her, said, “If it meant that much, I’m glad Georgia won.” It meant that much. Grown men cried. A man kissed Georgia defensive coach Erskine Russell squarely on the top of his bald head. Erk just smiled.”
“Bubba, that Dawg’ll bite you!”
“There’s been a lot of athletic glory at Georgia the past 25-plus years, and let us all remind ourselves it was Joel Eaves who laid the foundation. His funeral was at 1 o’clock Saturday. For a reason. Georgia kicks off at 1 o’clock Saturdays.”
“Spain couldn’t beat Vanderbilt!”
“It’s just Auburn with a lake.”
Great Night to Be a Bulldog
Congratulations to all you loyal Georgia football fans. It indeed was a great night to be a Bulldog. For those of you who didn't make to the game, you can celebrate with the team on Saturday. They are planning a parade beginning at 12:30 pm, will go down Lumpkin Street to Sanford Stadium with a Dawg Walk at 1 pm. A formal program will begin at Sanford Stadium at 2 PM. Click here for more information.
