Here in Athens, "Go Dawgs" can mean anything. Literally. ANYTHING.
You aced your chemistry test? "Go Dawgs." You forgot your paper was due? "Go Dawgs." You meet a random stranger while waiting at the Bolton pancake line? "Go. Dawgs."
How about when you hear that Georgia's football team is held by a positive standard contrary to what the school is stereotyped as? "Go Dawgs."
Mark Richt, the head coach football coach (also known as "Lord" here), makes no mistake when rearing his team. While scrolling through my Facebook feed this morning, I see an article that says "Parents Want Children to Play for Richt." Richt, a professed Christian , has declared a policy for his players called "the Georgia way." Does it include football jargon that no one really understands? No. Richt defines his policy as his way of "holding (his) players to the highest standard on and off the field." He believes in preparing them not just for the NFL, but for what is to come.
Todd Gurley is currently a household name. A running back for UGA, Gurley is currently up for this year's Heisman Trophy. Gurley is said to be the "next Herschel." Gurley runs 100 yard touchdowns with incredible ease. Gurley is living the Georgia way.
In 2012, Gurley and former UGA player player Kenarious Gates were among over 250 others who were baptized at Athens Church. Though Richt wasn't present at the ceremony, his name certainly wasn't absent.
In recent years, Richt has eliminated players from his team due because of arrests, abuse charges, and other events that he deems against the "Georgia Way." In light of the Ray Rice and Oscar Pistorius events, I praise Richt and his team for the example that they have set for athletes and coaches nationwide. It is shocking how often we hear of these "athletes gone bad", but never of the "athletes gone right."
So Georgia fans and football fans and Jesus fans alike, when you idolize and cheer for your favorite team, consider the example that they set on and off of the field. Yes, Todd Gurley can run the ball, a skill which he publicly thanks God for after he makes his 100 yard touchdowns. Yes, Mark Richt has raised a successful football program, a team which is of the most elite in the SEC. But readers, there is so much more beyond wins and losses. What Richt and his players have done is revolutionized the standard for football, the standard for athletes, and the standard for UGA.
I hope you all have an excellent week. As always, comment, share, and pray for me and my journey.
And, of course, Go Dawgs.
-Emily