Georgia Football: An Homage to the Bulldogs’ Kickers
By Krisi Cooper
The Georgia football program has seen some of the greatest kickers in college football grace the hallowed turf of Sanford Stadium, and here is a tribute to those who love to cheer #TeamKicker.
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I think every football fan has their favorite position to watch. Some fancy quarterbacks — like Matt Stafford or David Greene — because they love a strong arm or the excitement of a Hail Mary pass to win the game. Some fans are excited by a strong running back — like Todd Gurley or Herschel Walker — who can run over the offensive line and make a beeline for the end zone. I have some friends who value a strong defensive player, like Jarvis Jones or David Pollack, who can be a sack machine and wreak havoc for opposing offenses.
Not me. I value something that few do, but may be the most important part of a winning team–the kicker. Georgia has had a lot of great players in all types of positions, but I argue our most consistent and best position has been our kickers.
Our kicking legacy really began in the late ’70s with our last national champion kicker, Rex Robinson. (Yes, Rex Robinson…not Kevin Butler no matter how many times ESPN reports that incorrectly.) Other than winning a national championship, Rex Robinson is most notably known for his game winning kick against Kentucky on October 28, 1978 where he helped UGA come back from a 16-0 deficit. This was one of Larry Munson’s many famous calls that many Georgia fans still remember.
For his Georgia career, Robinson finished with 269 points, including 101 out of 102 made extra point attempts. During the 1980 championship season, he finished with a 72.7 field goal percentage and a career high 84 points.
Super Bowl champion Kevin Butler is also another kicker that Georgia can be proud to claim. Before becoming one of the most well-known former NFL kickers, Butler kicked a 60 yard game winner against Clemson that is widely known as one of the greatest kicks in Georgia football history.
Butler and his huge leg accumulated 353 points, with a stellar 78.7 career field goal percentage, including some of the most pressure-packed kicks in Georgia history.
Aug 23, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh (3) warms up before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Vikings won 30-12. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Other great names have peppered the Georgia kicker lineage, including Brandon Coutu, Billy Bennett, Hap Hines, and another kicker who had a long and successful NFL career, John Kasay.
Most recently Georgia was home to current NFL kicker, Blair Walsh. Walsh left Georgia with many records, including 412 career points, and began setting records in the NFL his rookie season. Known for his ability to hit several long field goals, Walsh has proven to be the only good thing about the Minnesota Vikings (sorry to any Viking fans, but you know it is true!)
With Georgia being predicted by many to lead the SEC East yet again we must hope that Marshall Morgan can be as great so many kickers before him. As many games come down to just a few points difference we will definitely need our kicking game to be on point.
Hunker down Marshall Morgan. The Bulldog nation will need you!