For those who are unaware, I’m a Georgia Bulldog. I spent the past few years in Athens, Georgia, obtaining a degree in journalism where I got the privilege of covering UGA athletics for two years.
I knew when I accepted this job I’d be firmly placing myself in enemy territory with Auburn and Alabama fans. Don’t get me wrong, I can easily pull multiple cards out of my back pocket like back-to-back national championships or having an undefeated record against Auburn during my tenure in Athens, but I won’t simply because I’m outnumbered. Alabama fans will also painfully remind me how Nick Saban was a Georgia team’s kryptonite in the SEC Championships.
I have made the mistake of repping the Bulldogs while I’m out and have been met with bewilderment by patrons and employees of the establishments. One gentleman told me “I did not know Georgia fans could even formulate a sentence,” when I told him I was a writer for The Alexander City Outlook.
Although some people question how a Bulldog made its way to Alabama, most of the people I’ve met have been nothing but amazing. I’ve had Auburn and Alabama fans throw subtle jabs my way, but the main message is how happy they are to have me here.
During my senior year of college, I had the opportunity to cover a few away games as a Georgia football beat reporter at Auburn and the SEC Championship against Alabama. Although not as great as watching Kelee Ringo solidify the first National Championship in 40 years or watching Ohio State miss a field goal as the clock struck zero to reign in 2023. I can’t help but hold those two within my personal top 5 games I got to experience with my own eyes.
I saw the significance that the SEC holds in Alabama and I’ve gotten to see how much football means to the towns I cover. I feel as though I’ve been spoiled with the high school games I’ve covered in such a short amount of time living here.
The college football season is still relatively early and I’d be lying if I said I was not confident in Georgia already. However, to avoid additional scrutiny, I’ll be watching the game in the comfort of my apartment where I’m able to bark in peace.
I do plan to sneak over to an Auburn game undercover to see if the crowd is as good as I remember it being, but for the time being I’ll be repping the Bulldogs by myself until I find other Georgia fans to relate to.
Samuel Higgs is the sports editor of The Outlook and The Record.
