Georgia football takes on the Gators today, and SEC Nation is in town for the game. Paul Finebaum, Marty Smith, and Ryan McGee all provided touching tributes to the late Vince Dooley, as they are among the many to honor the former head coach.
If we couldn’t get any more misty-eyed, these segments hit us straight in the heart. Throughout SEC Nation and Friday night on Finebaums’ show, countless tributes about the head coach aired the television waves. It’s mind-blowing to see how important Dooley was to so many people.
Dooley was a legend who never acted bigger than himself — he was a perfect gentleman.
What a way to honor a legendary coach, and the SEC Network nailed it. From showing the 1980 national championship Friday night to all of the beautiful tributes on today’s gameday show — it was a fantastic way to honor Dooley.
Former Georgia football coach Vince Dooley gets beautifully honored by Paul Finebaum and SEC Nation.
The strategic way they put the segments together and their words would make Dooley proud. He meant so much to so many people, and this loss is one that the entire college football world mourns.
Starting with Finebaums’ words to Dooley on Friday night, his words were what we, as Georgia fans, all needed to hear after getting the tragic news. “To call him legendary doesn’t quite do him justice…” Finebaum, you got me from that moment.
Vince Dooley made an impact on the world that can never be forgotten pic.twitter.com/fITYHn0zts
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) October 28, 2022
Finebaum is right. It is impossible not to get emotional about Dooley’s loss. The way he ended that video, “the college football world is heartbroken,” is very true. This loss feels like we’ve all lost a member, and Finebaum provided the right words at the time.
This morning, McGee and Smith provided another heartwarming segment about the legendary head coach. They brought Finebaum on, and their words brought the emotions up again. This Saturday and this game are for Dooley. The rest of the season is for the legendary head coach.
From every corner of the SEC and sports world, people have paid tribute to Vince Dooley.@MartySmithESPN, @ESPNMcGee and @finebaum honor the legendary coach: pic.twitter.com/o34FOPAfEn
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 29, 2022
After they discussed with Finebaum, of course, there was an emotional segment that will make you cry. McGee’s summed him up perfectly, “The legend who never acted like one.” When he said that in their tribute to him Saturday morning, the tears flowed, making perfect sense.
The legacy of Vince Dooley ❤️ pic.twitter.com/lqOpmuxX1h
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 29, 2022
Here are a few more statements from Smart and PGA Tour golfer Kevin Kisner. We did one post on the tributes, but these correlate with SEC Nation and what we found this Saturday morning.
.@KirbySmartUGA reflects on how he’ll remember Vince Dooley and what he meant to the University of Georgia. pic.twitter.com/gbJf3C9v1A
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 29, 2022
“He’s gotta be the greatest Dawg of all time, right?”@K_Kisner reflects on the timeless story Vince Dooley shared with @UGAGolf. pic.twitter.com/VqWVGIkIMz
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 29, 2022
After hearing all these touching words about Dooley, today’s rivalry game against the Gators feels like it means even more. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Smart and the Dawgs come out with a purpose and hang 50 on Florida.
Today is for Dooley. The rest of the season is for Dooley. Georgia didn’t need a reason to make this season special. However, after losing the legendary head coach, it wouldn’t surprise us if the Dawgs steamrolled their way to another national championship.