Photo credit: @Joesisson Saturday night stung. After winning that first natty, I wondered what it would be like to lose. But then we went 15-0 and I didn’t have to find out. And then we went 12-0 in the regular season and the question remained unanswered. I’m not going to lie. I was frustrated with the outcome of the game Saturday. Frustrated with some of the play calls, frustrated with some of the no calls, frustrated with all of the injuries coming in, frustrated that we are so young, frustrated that we lost to Bama again, frustrated with the entire system that always seems against us. And the loss stung a little bit. But you know what? It didn’t hurt. I didn’t get mad or angry. I wasn’t upset or devastated. My attitude could easily be summed up by the following phrase: “Well that sucks. Oh, well. Maybe next year.” And you know what? I meant every word. And I can hear all our rival fanbases now, “You Georgia fans always say that!” And it’s true. Love it or hate it, it’s our lifelong mantra. But while in the past we would say it with all the hope, fervor, and faith we could muster, this year it rings with truth and belief. Because to quote Kirby Smart, “We’re not going anywhere.” This is not a one and done team. This was not some once in a lifetime, miraculous, fairytale ride. This was years of hard work, discipline, composure, and physicality paying off. As magical as it felt, you don’t go undefeated in the regular season for 3 straight years because of magic. You don’t dominate the SEC East because of of hope. You don’t win two back to back national championships, one of them undefeated, on dreams. And you certainly don’t break the SEC record for most straight wins by winning 29 games and going undefeated for 728 days on a miracle. My heart does hurt for the players though. All the men on that team who gave their blood, sweat, and tears to the university, hoping to make history with a three-peat only to have that opportunity denied them. They deserved another shot and so much more. But you know what? They did make history. They didn’t just give us one national championship, but two. They gave us a perfect 15-0 season. They gave us 3 undefeated regular seasons. They gave us 29 straight games without a loss, breaking the previous SEC record held by Alabama. They broke records set by Steve Spurrier in the 90s and our own beloved Bulldogs in the 80s. They were the first team to go back to back in the playoff era and they did so in such convincing fashion that there was no denying or stopping them. And because of that, I am so damn proud of all they did. I am not mad. I am not upset. I am not entitled. I am proud and so, so thankful. There were many years where I wondered if I would ever see the Dawgs win a national championship. And now I have. All I ever asked for was one natty, and now I have two and we had a shot at a third. This loss does not and cannot hurt me. Because I love my Dawgs. I love those players who give it all every practice, every Saturday. And I can’t tell them enough how thankful I am for the last 3 years. It made all the heartache of the years before worth it. It was everything I hoped and dreamed for and more. It was magical. And at the end of the day, it’s just a game. Life is tough. And the Dawgs have brought me a lot of joy during some rough times the last year and a half. But that also brings perspective. And a loss just doesn’t matter as much in the grand scheme of things. It’s the people that are important. And I love Georgia football because of the people it brings together — families, friends, fans, players— all together because of their love for the game and their shared hearts that bleed red and black. And was it a magical three years? Absolutely. How could it not be? But the person and team that made that magic happen still reside in Athens. Which is why I can say with confidence and reckless abandon, “Oh well. Maybe next year.” Thank you for an unforgettable 3 years. Long live the memories we made. Here's to new ones. For now and for always…Go Dawgs.
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It might be November but DawgNation is still rocking pink! It’s no secret that Bulldogs Battling Breast Cancer (@bbbc_athens) is a charity near and dear to heart of Georgia fans. Through their annual golf tournament and their partnerships with the Spike Squad, UGA Paint Line, UGA Ice Dawgs, and even Damn Good Dawg and fan favorite Kelee Ringo and his mom Tralee Hale, the BBBC and DawgNation have raised $1.7 million dollars for breast cancer awareness and St. Mary’s Hospital Athens. So it was no surprise that when diehard Tennessee fan @BoCamaro challenged Dawg fan @26_SAVage_ to a charity contest leading up to the UGA/Tennessee game that the BBBC was her first choice. @BoCamaro is raising money for the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and has kindly offered to make a trophy to commemorate the event, set to go home with whichever person raises the most money for their charity before the 4th Quarter ends on November 18th. As soon as I saw the charity challenge on Twitter, I absolutely loved the idea! While I love football and bleed red and black, my favorite part of sports is the ability they have to bring people together. Even opposing fanbases and sworn enemies who only share their love for the game will rally together for a good cause and to support a fellow football fan in need of help. Both teams have already raised several hundred dollars for their charity and the battle is close! Some fans have chosen to support both the BBBC and East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. We’re all for sharing the love and good sportsmanship. But if you’d like to volunteer to help DawgNation take home this shiny new trophy, all the bragging rights, and support a great cause, donate to the BBBC Athens at this link or using the QR code below. Make sure to tag your donation for the UGA/UT challenge! And whether you are able to donate or not, please share and spread the word. Because at the end of the day, it’s just a game. And regardless which team wins, when we help others, we all win.
Different teams and enemies on the field, united by the common good. Isn’t that why we all love football? Photo Credit: Joseph Sisson @joesisson
Dear Stetson, Man, it’s been a long journey. Full of so many ups and downs, good moments and bad. More than we as fans even realize. We all the know major points of the story by now. How you signed with Georgia as a walk-on in 2017 and no one really took notice. How you suddenly burst on to the scene in California of all places before the Dawgs took the field in the Rose Bowl. Most of Dawgnation didn’t know your name. But, the team did and they were instantly impressed with your ability to imitate Heisman winner Baker Mayfield. And while they struggled in the first half, the second half comeback that led to a double overtime victory was absolutely incredible and magical. But as the lights faded and the Dawgs ultimately lost to Alabama, your name slowly disappeared as the new five stars once again became the hot button topic. Enter Justin Fields. You transferred out and did great things at Jones County. And then in a strange turn of events, at the end of the 2018 season Fields transferred out as well and suddenly on signing day you were once again coming back to UGA, this time as Jake Fromm’s backup. It was a risky decision, betting on Fromm to leave early and yourself to win the job once he left. But as we fans now know, you’re not one to back down from a challenge or shy away from taking a risk. Cue 2020. All the quarterback drama was going on behind the scenes. Suddenly Georgia had an opt-out, an injured starter, and a backup with no experience starting against Arkansas. Struggling early on the road, Coach Smart made the decision to put you in and #MailmanMagic was born. A few more big wins in the next few weeks and everybody was in love. Of course most people were also waiting for JT Daniels to be ready to go. After a loss to Bama on the road and a loss to the Gators (which I still insist to this day wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t been injured), Daniels was finally given the job and that was that. #MailmanMagic was gone as quickly as it had arrived. And then came summer 2021. Everyone, including myself, was so excited and hopeful. The pieces and potential were all finally in place. We just had to wait and see if it would happen. And in a crazy twist of fate that summer, I casually remarked to my mom, “You know, I think we have the best chance to win it all this year out of all the years that Kirby has been there. And if we do, I hope Stetson gets to be a part of it somehow. I don’t want JT to get hurt, but if Stet got to come in for a crucial quarter or half at some point in the season to help us win it all, I think that would be amazing.” And then UAB happened. Then Arkansas and Auburn again, just like 2020. And that was it. The starting job was yours unless you got hurt or did something drastic to lose it. As you and Steinbeck would say, Ad Astra Per Alas Porci. I’d like to say we were all rooting for you, but as you know, that is a lie. I was rooting for you. And I know a handful of others who were as well. As with anything controversial, the minority might have been the loudest. But it certainly didn’t seem that way. All I know is that the majority of the internet and fanbase seemed against you. Fans calling for you to be benched at the slightest mistake, reporters questioning when sticking with you would cost Georgia a game. Because that was the one thing they all agreed on and made sure to mention in every comment and article, even ones that weren’t directly about you. They were absolutely, positively sure that you were going to cost us a game. It was just a matter of time. And then they’d get to sit behind their little keyboards with a smug grin and say, “Ha! I told you so. I told you he couldn’t do it.” For some reason, they took delight in your struggles. They needed you to fail. Whether because of their incessant need to be right, their infatuation with stars, or (my personal favorite) their “hate him because we ain’t him” syndrome that they couldn’t get over, they needed to see you fall. Then that fateful SEC championship game against Alabama came. And while there were multiple reasons the game was lost besides how you played, all the haters could scream was how you should have been benched, you cost us the game, and you shouldn’t start against Michigan. But the rest of us held our breath and waited. New Year’s Eve came and 4 quarters, 3 touchdowns, and 313 yards later, you were named offensive MVP to a chorus of “Mailman” and “Stetson” chants led by none other than Nolan Smith. The Dawgs were on their way to a rematch with Alabama for their first national title in 41 years. And the whispers became screams. It wasn’t enough. Michigan was overrated. The defense won that game. The natty would be SEC 2.0. I was worried they would be right. I was worried that at the end of the night we’d be heartbroken again. But you know what? Sometimes, not often enough, but sometimes in life you get to see the good guys win and the bad guys lose. So often it’s the other way around that it’s easy to give up and lose hope. But some of us have the insane need to hope no matter the odds. Call it a fault, unrealistic, or whatever you want. I don’t care. Because sometimes that hope and belief pays off. And even when I was a stressed mess in the 3rd quarter of that national championship game, feeling like it might be no different than 2018, there was still a small, tiny part of my heart that hoped, and believed. Then came an offsides flag and a beautiful pass to Adonai Mitchell and the Dawgs were back on top. Then a touchdown to Brock Bowers. And it was up to the defense. We all watched with baited breath, waiting and hoping that they would hunker it down just one more time. And then in a play and call that is etched in every Georgia fan and player’s memory, Bryce Young launched a pass downfield and it was intercepted by Kelee Ringo. And Dawgnation lost it. There’s countless videos on the internet of people screaming, jumping up and down, crying, collapsing on the ground, and all other manner of ecstatic celebrations. I don’t know what exactly was going through your mind then. But I do know what was going through mine. Nothing. Nothing but sheer excitement and elation. Ringo caught that ball and I screamed. My whole family instantly jumped off the couch and started cheering. It took a split second for us to realize that he still had the ball and was running back downfield. We kept cheering, growing louder and louder until that touchdown was scored. I always knew I would eventually cry when we won. But I didn’t expect it to be so instantaneous. As soon as that touchdown was scored though and the camera cut to the sidelines, I started tearing up. You were crying too. And I think all Dawg fans cried those tears of joy and relief with you. We were on top of the world. Georgia was national champions for the first time in 41 years and won with an epic, generational defense and a doubted offense led by a walk-on quarterback. It was a year for the record books. And a story for the ages, written only like God himself could have. And that was it. Everyone assumed that was the ending. You would take your second MVP award and that beautiful gold trophy, hang up your cleats and helmet, and ride off into the sunset. A champion and victor at the very end. But God and you had other plans it turned out. You said you were running it back and the Georgia fanbase collectively freaked out again. Some of the fanbase was excited but also didn’t want you to ruin your legacy because we were expected to be weaker defensively after losing so many people to the draft. We knew other fans would be quick to blame the team’s struggles on you. The other half said well there goes the season and a shot at another title because the offense is going to have to carry us this year and Stetson Bennett can’t do it. Because some people are just a little slow. Or hate to admit that they were wrong. Flip the record and cue the back track. But you simply put your head down and said, “Just watch.” The season started and you won game after game. There were some speed bumps as offensive injuries slowed things down a bit and the defense adjusted to new faces playing more. But still the team kept winning. The media and so many people doubted we had what it took to go all the way although they’ll say differently now. But you never did. Instead, you kept receipts, kept believing, and just kept winning, giving us some pretty iconic moments while you did. A Tennessee team thinking they’re number one and Sanford isn’t loud? Dawgnation showed up and you balled out. Ran for a touchdown, dropped a dime, and then said “Call me” to the Tennessee fans. And we loved you for it. LSU beats Alabama and is the hot team right now? Not a problem. Throw some touchdowns, drop a mic, and move on. Quick detour to New York City as Georgia’s first Heisman finalist in 30 years? No big. You’re just happy to be there. Then it was the playoffs. An Ohio State team with a second chance and an edge? That’s nothing. Here’s your 398 yards and 4 touchdowns. (Okay, timeout here. That game was straight up scary. I was freaking out, but somehow you and the rest of the team didn’t.) You managed to come back from two 14 point deficits to take the lead with too much time left on the clock. Their kicker missed the field goal as the clock struck midnight and we were going back to the natty for a chance at history. Honestly, that game is probably tied for second for the most terrifying and magical game in my years as a Georgia fan. Because it just doesn’t get any more magical than a missed kick with the ball dropping to the left to win the game right as the ball in NYC drops for the new year. The doubters were out again in full force during that game, but your performance in the 4th quarter shut them all right back up. And with all the little bumps and mistakes worked out against the Buckeyes, it was time for TCU. A Cinderella team who was also having a magical season with their Heisman finalist quarterback playing in the biggest game of their career for all the marbles. So of course, cue the nerves. The game was close for a little bit. But only a little bit. And then TCU didn’t know what hit them. It was probably Brock Bowers and Jalen Carter but in all honesty it could have been any number of players wearing red and black. They still didn’t know who it was. The whole team, including yourself, came not just to win, but to dominate. Last year the mantra was “burn the boats." This year? Leave no doubt. And you didn’t. 15-0. Back to Back National Champs. There is no question there anymore. The defense only allowed one touchdown and you threw for 304 yards while scoring 6 touchdowns, tying Joe Burrow for the only quarterback to have done so in a playoff game. Did you win your first championship because of the defense? Of course. Every team does. The defense helped this time too. But you left no doubt that this championship was also largely because of you. 2x National Champion SEC Champion 2x National Championship Game MVP Orange Bowl MVP (CFP) Peach Bowl MVP (CFP) SEC Championship Game MVP Heisman Trophy Finalist 2022 Burlsworth Trophy winner Second Team All-SEC 2022 Manning Award winner UGA’s first 4,000+ yard passer Broke Aaron Murray’s season passing record 2nd quarterback to have multiple rush touchdowns in the championship era Not bad for a former walk-on. Your undying belief in yourself is admirable. You have a unique combination of being humble and giving credit to your teammates and coaches while still maintaining your confidence in who you are, which manifests itself in a way that is iconic and full of so much swagger. You delivered again and again, until in your own words, “we just ran out of games.” We’re going to miss you. You’re one of the best and will go down in Georgia history quite possibly as the greatest player of all time. Even Kirby Smart, the coach who you have so much in common with, said “He’s the greatest Dawg of all time.” It’s all deserved. The words of a song come to mind when I think about you and your time at Georgia: “Out here in the fields I fight for my meals… I don't need to fight To prove I'm right. I don't need to be forgiven.” Your career is the most epic mic drop ever. It’s a beautiful story of hard work, perseverance, and faith. I couldn’t have written it any better than God already did and I’m so glad to have been able to watch it unfold. From walk-on to back to back champion. From scout team quarterback in Cali to 4x playoff MVP in Cali. From a small town in God’s country to Hollywood and the City of Angels. From Ad Astra Per Alas Porci to a legend, forever among the stars. It was a hell of a ride. You’re a Damn Good Dawg. Thank you for the memories and magic. Photo Credit: Joseph Sisson @joesisson
Wow. How do I even begin to describe the history we all witnessed last night? Last year the word was elite. This year? What other word can you use than legendary? This wasn’t just a great offense overshadowed by an epic historic defense. This wasn’t a battle to the end and a magical pick six to seal the deal and end the 41 year championship drought. That first was unbelievable. It was 41 years of heartache and tears and almost's vanishing in the seconds that it took Kelee Ringo to catch that ball and run it back against the most perfect foe— Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide. Nothing will compare to that. I will forever smile when I see Adonai Mitchell catch that pass in the end zone. And I will probably forever cry when I see this video of Kelee Ringo’s pick six and the celebrations of countless Georgia fans. But as amazing as that was, this national championship was unique. It was historic on multiple levels as the Dawgs broke record after record as the game went on. It was a once in a lifetime game that probably won’t be seen again for a long time. It was legendary. Georgia didn’t just beat TCU. They obliterated them, scoring the most points by a team in a half in playoff history and then most ever by the end of the game. It was the most lopsided victory in championship history. And 65-7 is a stat that will probably stand for a while. The Heisman runner-up only scored one touchdown while being sacked several times throughout the night, including a few by Georgia defensive freshmen. And on the other side of the ball, Georgia’s offensive line didn’t give up a single sack, setting a season record by only allowing single digit sacks— a first ever. Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey both had multiple huge plays while Kenny McIntosh and the other running backs racked up more rush yards than TCU's entire offense. Adonai Mitchell caught his 4th touchdown pass in his 4th playoff game. Even Branson Robinson had two touchdowns. And the walk-on? Well, Stetson Bennett IV broke Aaron Murray’s single season pass record, became Georgia’s first 4,000 yard passer, and tied Joe Burrow’s record for most touchdowns scored in the championship game with six. Not bad for someone who just a few weeks prior was being slammed by many people for being invited to the Heisman ceremony. *Cue epic mic drop* When talking with my family before the game, we were all experiencing various levels of nervousness. But we were hopeful that we were just the better team and that we would beat TCU much like we did Tennessee earlier in the year. I’m not gonna lie, I hoped it would be like the Oregon game and even said so. But I honestly didn't think that was an actual possibility. And never in my wildest dreams did I think it would be better than the Oregon game. And to be honest, I still don’t think it’s really sunk in yet. I’m happy and exhilarated and proud, but still shocked. That can’t be real right? First team EVER in the college football playoff to win back to back titles? It seems too good to be true. Too perfect and tied with a big, shiny gold playoff bow to not have come straight out of a storybook. Written perfectly from start to finish by someone much better than me in a fashion we could never even imagine. Because we didn’t just win and break records. We dominated the game from start to finish and shattered those records. There is no "if" in this game. Kirby said they were going to hunt and hunt they did. Last year, they burned the boats. This year the Dawgs left no doubt. Georgia is champions once again. And while many of our favorite players will part ways and move on, this doesn’t feel like an ending. It feels like Kirby Smart and his team are just getting started. And I can’t wait to watch every minute of it and soak it all in. These are indeed the Glory Days. Originally started on October 10, 2021 but as yet unfinished
Have you ever taken a moment to read Stetson Bennett’s bio? It’s very simple. Some of us, like me, fill ours with lots of fun descriptors. He has a simple phrase— Ad astra per alas porci. And if you take the time to look it up, you’ll find that it’s dog Latin for “To the stars on the wings of a pig.” Which sounds so poetic, but what does it really mean? Supposedly at some point when famed American author John Steinbeck was in school, a teacher told him that he couldn’t write and that he would become an author “when pigs flew.” Whether it’s true or not, Steinbeck adopted the Pigasus as his emblem, also on Bennett’s bio. Steinbeck’s wife said that “the little pig said that man must try to attain the heavens even though his equipment be meager. Man must aspire though he be earth-bound.” Steinbeck himself said he was “earthbound but aspiring...not enough wingspread but plenty of intention." Steinbeck later added the dog Latin motto “Ad astra per alas porci” which is the phrase that Stetson Bennett IV has chosen to have on his page. And I don’t need to explain why. It’s a fitting motto for a former walk-on, scout team QB turned fifth string starter to backup QB who is 3-0 against two ranked teams. Stetson Bennett, despite his flaws, represents all that’s good about Georgia football. Undersized, but with a heart and passion that can’t be measured. “Not enough wingspan but plenty of intention.” “Earthbound but aspiring.” And thanks to JT Daniels, offensive weapons, a killer record-breaking defense, Kirby Smart, and Stetson Bennett, the Dawgs are 6-0 and heading for number 1. To the stars on the wings of a pig indeed. Added January 11, 2022 Thanks to that record-breaking defense, Kirby Smart, and of course, Stetson Bennett himself, the Dawgs are now National Champions, delivering a trophy home to Athens. Talk about a story. To the stars on the wings of a pig indeed. Thanks for the ride! #GoDawgs Added December 5, 2022 Hey, guess what?! There’s a sequel to this story currently being written right now. And no matter how it ends, right now it has us 13-0 for the 1st time in school history and SEC champs. Stet is MVP once again, and now? Well now he’s headed to New York. Added December 10, 2022 And even though he did not win the Heisman, the fact that he was there, the first Bulldog in 30 years to do so, was enough. Keep breaking records, proving people wrong, and making us proud Stet! #MailmanDelivers #DGDAlways #GoDawgs Added January 1, 2023 As the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve & that shiny ball in New York dropped, a different ball dropped in Atlanta after the most clutch 4th quarter drives by The Mailman. And with that, the Dawgs are headed to Cali & the chance for back to back natty’s. To the stars. Added January 9, 2023 From the start in Cali so long ago to tonight’s remarkable finish in Cali tonight, Stetson Bennett’s story is one for the record books. The Mailman delivered again. Back 2 Back champions. Legendary. Forever among the stars. Thank you for contributing to the most magical ride the last two years. We’re going to miss you. You’re one of the best and will go down in Georgia history, quite possibly as the greatest of all time. It’s all deserved. You’re a Damn. Good. Dawg. #MailmanDelivered He’s the greatest Dawg of all time ~ Kirby Smart |
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