Georgia football: 14 Reasons it’s great to be a Georgia fan

Valentine’s Day is a reminder to spread love so I’m sharing 14 reasons why I love the Georgia Bulldogs.

If you’re reading this post, you’re most likely a Georgia Bulldog fan. Whether you’re single, married, or in a relationship, we all have one thing in common – our love for the Dawgs. So here are 14 reasons why I love being a Georgia football fan.

1. Uga

Many teams have a live mascot. But none so beloved as Uga. There’s a reason he was named Sports Illustrated’s number one mascot of all time. As part of the program since 1956, the white English bulldog is an iconic part of the university. From trying to bite an Auburn player to cute pictures with little Dawg fans, it’s easy to see that Uga is everyone’s favorite.

2. The Red and Black

While definitely a smaller reason why I love being a Dawgs fan, I absolutely love the Red and Black. No gaudy orange or weird shades over here. Just the classic Bulldog Red complimented with black and a pair of silver britches. And while that’s already a perfect combination, the Red and Black lends itself to having arguably the best alternative uniforms in college football. Although the throwback red pants debuted against Arkansas last year were amazing, the black jerseys, silver pants, and red helmets remain a fire combination and favorite among fans and players. No matter what combination, I proudly wear the Red and Black any day of the week.

3. Rivalries with Florida, Auburn, and Georgia Tech

Being a part of the SEC, it just means more. Especially when it comes to rivalries. While there are great rivalries across the conference, Georgia football has three of the most famous. From the annual Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry with cross-divisional rival Auburn to the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party with Florida whose winner typically represents the East in the SEC Championship, Georgia is known for great SEC rivalries. But you can’t forget the in-state rivalry with Georgia Tech. The two schools can’t stand each other and Clean Old-Fashioned Hate is a crucial part of Georgia football’s history, determining who “Runs This State” until the next year.

4. Larry Munson

While almost every school has iconic plays, none have had such an iconic and memorable play-caller as Larry Munson. The gravelly Voice of the Bulldogs was a fan at heart and it showed through in all his calls. From the infamous “Run, Lindsay” and “The Hobnail Boot” to Herschel Walker’s first touchdown (“My God, a Freshman!) and “sugar falling out of the sky” after securing a spot in the Sugar Bowl, Larry Munson’s calls continue to enchant Georgia football fans and inspire them to “hunker it down one more time.”

5. Being RBU

Although other schools have had some great running backs in recent years, none have the prestigious history that UGA has, with two of their running backs claiming first and second place for most rush yards in the SEC. From the SEC’s first Heisman winner Frank Sinkwich to arguably the greatest college football player of all time in Herschel Walker, Georgia football has a storied history of great running backs. Add in the almost Heisman winner Garrison Hearst and the more recent stars like Knowshon Moreno, Todd Gurley, Sony Michel, and Nick Chubb, most of which have continued to have great success in the NFL, and it’s easy to see why UGA is RBU.

6. Traveling with the Bulldog Nation to away games

Home games at a packed Sanford Stadium are amazing, but watching the Bulldog Nation travel and take over another team’s stadium is a completely different feeling. While Bulldog Nation has always traveled and continues to split Jacksonville’s stadium with the Gators, the sheer amount of fans that showed up in South Bend to support the Dawgs was astounding and made the away game feel like the team was at home in Athens. Since then, the Bulldog Nation has continued the tradition and will continue to band together like a family, following their team anywhere.

7. Calling the Dawgs anytime, anywhere

There’s nothing like hearing 93,000 fans taking turns yelling “Georgia” and “Bulldogs” back and forth to one another at the beginning of a game before calling the Dawgs in a long “Goooooo Dawgs, Sic ‘em! Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof!” But you know what’s even more impressive? Hearing that elongated “Go” and barking before every kickoff no matter the stadium or location. You expect to hear it in Athens. But there’s something uniquely special about saying it in a parking lot in Jacksonville as the team arrives on Friday night or at home surrounded by family, cheering on the Dawgs wherever you are.

8. Herschel Walker

One of college football’s greatest players, if not theher greatest running back of all time, Herschel Walker is a fan favorite. From his homegrown roots to his quiet, hardworking personality, Walker embodies everything that is great about the University of Georgia while still exuding humility and kindness. Even though he is an accomplished athlete beyond football, Georgia football fans fondly remember the way he dominated the game, leading the school to a national championship with a dislocated shoulder and later winning the Heisman trophy. Herschel Walker set school and conference records in three years that have yet to be broken in the forty years since he left, with fellow Georgia running back Nick Chubb the only one who even came close to breaking them. Regardless of what others might say, Herschel Walker will always be the GOAT to Georgia football fans.

9. Tailgating at Myers Quad

Fall sunlight shining on pristine grass surrounded by magnificent oaks and brick buildings makes Myers Quad seem like the perfect place to relax on a Saturday morning. But fill it with red tents and hundred of fans tailgating and you have an exciting atmosphere of camaraderie and entertainment perfect to hype you up for the game later that day. Add in SEC Nation or College Gameday for a prestigious matchup and Myers Quad is electric and an experience not to be missed.

10. Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall

Built in 1987, the home of the UGA Athletic Department was named after head football coaches Wally Butts and Harry Mehre. While the building was already impressive, UGA has updated several of the facilities the last few years, including the locker room and adding on the House of Payne, an indoor practice facility. However, Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall isn’t just for the staff and student-athletes. It also houses several displays of athletic achievements, trophies, and historic accomplishments that fans can see.

11. The Redcoat Band 

Easily recognized by their sharp black pants, red coats, and black feathered hats, the Redcoat Band has become an integral part of the university, enriching the gameday experience. From forming UGA’s famous Arch on the field while playing “Glory, Glory” to starting “The Battle Hymn of the Bulldog Nation” with a lone trumpet player, the Redcoat Band celebrates UGA’s storied history but has also added a new tradition of its own— lighting up Sanford. Started in part by the Redcoats, the band plays Krypton between the third and fourth quarter of a night game while fans light up Sanford in a spectacular sight as they prepare for the final minutes of the game, hoping the Redcoat Band will be playing “Glory, Glory” again when time runs out.

12. The Spike Squad

Started in 2010, the Spike Squad has become a staple of UGA games and garnered national attention. Found in the first row of section 109, this student run group wakes up early every Saturday in the fall to paint themselves in red and black, don their infamous pads covered in spikes, and secure their seats to watch the Dawgs. Rain or shine, cold or heat, the Spike Squad and their outlandish gear are there to cheer the Dawgs to victory.

13. Ringing the Chapel Bell

One of UGA’s oldest traditions, the chapel bell is rung on special occasions and after every UGA victory. Located behind the chapel in a matching white tower, the bell attracts lines of students and fans, waiting their turn to ring the chapel bell and celebrate the Dawgs’ win that day. While people gather to ring it after every game, rivalry wins and championship victories guarantee that the bell will be heard ringing long into the night.

14. Pregame Battle Hymn of the Bulldog Nation

As all the fans turn to face the southwest corner of the upper deck, a lone trumpeter plays fourteen rousing notes before being joined by the rest of the Redcoat Band, their music sweeping throughout the stadium and swelling to a crescendo that is broken only by the start of the pregame video. While the Redcoats continue to play, the voice of Larry Munson narrates the chilling tribute to Georgia football’s past and future. Showcasing iconic plays from over the decades, the music and video end with a call to the current Georgia football players:

“And now a new breed of Bulldog stands ready to take the field of battle. To assume the reigns of their Georgia forebearers. To continue that tradition. Understanding that there is no tradition more worthy of envy. No institution worthy of such loyalty as the University of Georgia. As we prepare for another meeting between the hedges let all the Bulldog faithful rally behind the men who now wear the red and black with two words. Two simple words that express the sentiments of the entire Bulldog Nation…Go Dawgs!”

Being a Georgia Bulldog fan? Ain’t nothin’ finer in the land.