GEORGIA FOOTBALL: TOP 30 PLAYERS IN SCHOOL HISTORY

Nov 15, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs fans react after Georgia defeated the Auburn Tigers at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Auburn 34-7. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

18 – Theron Sapp

Every Bulldog knows Theron Sapp is the Man Who Broke the Drought. Sapp scored the only touchdown of the game to defeat Georgia Tech 7 – 0 on November 30, 1957 to break an eight game losing streak to Tech. That is not the entire story of why Sapp’s jersey is retired.

Here’s the picture.

Georgia, in the midst of a third straight losing season, had not only lost eight straight to the jeering archrival, it had not scored a touchdown against Tech in four seasons.

At a subfreezing Grant Field, Theron Sapp first recovered a fumble at mid-field, and, after the forgotten heroics of quarterback Charlie Britt and wide receiver Jimmy Orr to convert a third and 12 at the tech 39, Sapp carried the ball six straight times.

The final carry on fourth down at the tech one yard line gave Georgia a touchdown, the game, and ended the Georgia Nation’s from darkest days.

Sapp, who came to Athens from Macon’s Lanier High in 1954, was a fine player, playing in 83 games in the NFL. But for his single game heroics alone Sapp’s jersey is retired.

Next: 17 - Terrance Edwards