The Countdown 2011: 100 Days to Go

Words of Wisdom from Erk Russell

Erk Russell, Georgia’s legendary defensive coordinator from 1964 – 1980, was known as a master at motivating his players. During his 17 year career at Georgia, the Bulldogs’ defense help opponents to 17 points or less in 135 of 192 games. Here are some of my favorite quotes from Russell.

Explanation of a Junkyard Dog:

"By our own definition, a Junkyard Dog is a dog completely dedicated to his task, that of defending his goal line. Further, he is very often a reject (from the offense) or the runt of the litter. Nobody wants him, and he is hungry. We had three walk-ons, four QBs, and three running backs in our original Junkyard Dog starting cast, which averaged 208 pounds across the front. In short, a Junkyard Dog is one who must stretch and strain all of his potential just to survive. Then he can think about being good."

On the once famous Railroad Track people:

"The railroad track crowd. These are my people because they love the Dawgs almost as much as I do...they choke me up!" - Erk Russell

On the impact of the defense:

"If we score, we may win. If they never score, we'll never lose."

And, my personal favorite:

“Run three miles, hate Georgia Tech four times!”

The Countdown 2009: 27 Days to Go

27

Shutouts by the Georgia defense under defensive coordinator Erk Russell during his 17 years at Georgia.

The Pig that Brought a Championship

With the Independence Day holiday this weekend, I thought it fitting to share the story of how a a stolen pig that was cooked at a players' party in 1980 could have cost the Dawgs dearly but ended up uniting the team for its National Championship run. I had never heard this story until I ran across it in a book the other day, so while some of our readers may know this one, I hope you enjoy hearing it again.

The Story of the Purloined Pig

Back during the Vince Dooley years, players on the Georgia football team celebrated the end of spring practice by throwing a team only party known as Seagraves. The team came together and basically celebrated by drinking as much beer as they could (according to Scott Woerner, the team had 127 cases and 8 kegs at the 1980 party.) In 1980, five senior players decided they wanted to not only have beer but serve food at the party as well. Because they were short on money, they decided the best way to get food for the party would be to steal a sow from the University Research Center.

The senior players (All-American Scott Woerner, Defensive Captain Frank Ros, rover Chris Welton, and linemen Nat Hudson and High Nall, set out to steal the pig. Using a bow and arrow, Nall managed to shoot a nearly 400 pound sow and it took the entire effort of all five of them to get the pig out of the pen. They slow roasted the pig and served it at the party , much to the delight of the rest of the team. Their plan had worked perfect and they almost got away with the whole thing.

In true "Lord of the Flies" fashion, they mounted the head of the dead pig on a stick. When the party was over, a couple of freshman decided it was a good idea to bring the head to campus, where it ended up at the feet of some un-expecting students near the dorm. The freshman players were going to get nailed for the whole event, but Ros and Woerner decided to turn themselves in. Dooley and Russell were pissed, as you can imagine, and the players nearly were kicked off the team.

Instead of kicking them off, they were forced to work for Dooley that summer while not being on scholarship. The players performed a number of tasks, including painting the brick fence near the practice field...twice. All this during what was recorded as the hottest summer Athens has ever experienced. By the time the season rolled around and the story had reached the papers, they were using it as a rallying point for the season. As Erk Russell said, "Hugh and Frank, all of them, were in positions of leadership on that team, and darn if I don't think it was a bond for everything. Now that may seem far-fetched to you, but it doesn't to me. Right off the bat, they had something in common. It drew people together and the team, too."

Who would have known that a college prank of stealing a pig from the University would be a catalyst for a national championship season. Can you imagine what would happen if something like this happened today?

* You can read the full story, along with many others about the 1980 team in Vince Dooley's book, Tales from the 1980 Bulldogs.