Football

Nov. 28, 2009 | By Kitty Felde

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There's a yard sign outside my husband's cousin's house. It reads: "Georgia Bulldogs.".

Don't believe what they say about Georgia being the heart of the Bible belt. The true religion down here is football. Not the 'turn on the TV after turkey' kind of football. The kind of football that takes over the state for more than just the season.

On the cousin's bookshelf, next to "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," there's another book: "Dooley: My 40 Years at Georgia." Vince Dooley is much more beloved than Jimmy Carter in these parts.

In Athens, home of the University of Georgia, there's a statue of the Greek goddess Athena. There's also a statue of the local god Vince Dooley. The latter tribute is well lit at night.

Downtown Athens is also filled with a litter of other statues - larger than life fiberglass versions of the university mascot, the English bulldog named Uga. This breed can only procreate by artificial insemination. They're prone to respiratory problems. And the most recent mascot Uga 7 just died unexpectedly. He's remembered by a bronze statue of his own near a granite monument to his six predecessors. One epitath reads: "Damn good dog."

The dog at today's game is a loaner.

But brightly painted Ugas are on every street corner. (Remember those fiberglass angels that sprouted all over LA? Same thing.)

But passion for today's big game - Georgia vs Georgia Tech - isn't limited to Athens. The Atlanta TV station has been running highlights of past games all morning. (The game's still 10 hours away.)

But imagine this sight in LA on the day before the USC vs UCLA game: a state police cruiser, blue lights flashing, leads the way down a busy highway. Behind him is a fraternity brother from U of Georgia, running, carrying a football. He's one leg of a relay team, taking the Olympic torch - er, football - the 50 miles from Athens to Atlanta.

Gametime: 5 pm Pacific.

Carolyn
2 months, 1 week ago

Being the wife of the cousin that Kitty refers to I can attest to what she says is true, ESPECIALLY in our household. The Dooley book was actually a Christmas present from me to him last year as I had found it in a flea market and it had been signed by the 'god' himself, Coach Dooley. I knew Randy, as well as Alex (son) would love that. I can say honestly though that many aren't quite as rabid as we are about our Bulldogs, but they should be! :)
Loved having you guys here!

Carolyn

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