Georgia Football: It all started with the running back
By Ashley Espie
Dawg Beat returns with stories about how three running backs made lifelong Georgia football fans out of three different people.
Georgia football has long been known for its stable of dynamic running backs. From more recent favorites like Nick Chubb and Sony Michel to older stars like Garrison Hearst and Herschel Walker, stories of running backs who were the powerhouses of their offense and fan favorites pack Georgia’s history books.
These players didn’t just make a difference on the field, they also impacted the fan base, leaving lasting memories and even recruiting new members to the Bulldog Nation.
Todd Gurley
Axel is one such lucky member of the Bulldog Nation. Growing up in Georgia, Axel was obviously aware of the Dawgs, but had never been interested in watching college football. However, everything changed on December 1, 2012. While flipping through channels, he stumbled upon the SEC Championship between Georgia and Alabama.
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Since it was his first time watching a college football matchup, Axel chose to pull for the home team. But once he saw Todd Gurley with the ball, he was hooked.
“I sat on my couch and witnessed greatness from Todd Gurley,” said Axel. “That was all it took for me to fall in love with the Dawgs.”
As an 18-year-old running back himself, Axel said, “his willingness to play hard is what drew me to him” and he began to “emulate” Gurley’s style of running in his own game. Even though the Dawgs ended up losing the championship in heartbreaking fashion, Axel chose to remain a a fan, going back and watching all the Dawgs’ 2012 games.
“I wanted them to do great,” Axel said. “That loss to Alabama, and knowing the fact that Todd Gurley was going to be around for two more years is what made me stick. After that, the rest was history. My love for the Dawgs is unlike anything I’ve seen before. I love the Dawgs with all of my heart.”