Jeff Foxworthy had a meeting with UGA librarian Toby Graham and his staff one recent morning and called to see if lunch with Mark Richt could be arranged following his session with the library folk. That was easy since there is the greatest mutual admiration society existing between these two men—both famous for different reasons.
The former Bulldog coach arranged lunch at his home in the Five Points neighborhood in Athens. Much of what took place could have been expected if you knew anything about them.
“Do we go in the front door?” Jeff asked as we parked. I had been to the Richt spread a couple of times before but did not remember the protocol. About that time, the former coach was at the back door summoning his guests through the garage.
After a friendly embrace, Foxworthy was stopped in his tracks as he entered the kitchen area. There was a post the width of a 2 x 4 in the utility room, which segues into the kitchen, where growing grandchildren have their heights written with dates. Those kids will grow into their teenage years and beyond and can look back someday and remember how tall they were at certain ages. That it is adolescent graffiti does not bother Mark and Kathryn Richt. Grandchildren are allowed to live by their own rules.
Foxworthy was touched. Like everybody else, grandchildren melt the hardest of emotional facades.
You would expect that at Billy Graham’s house. Jimmy Carter’s house. George Bush’s place. Roger Staubach’s kitchen. But what was the kitchen like in Adolph Hitler’s home? Or Joseph Stalin’s?
I learned from a friend a long time ago that grandchildren are never overrated. I have also heard grandparents talk about how nice it would be to skip children and go straight to grandchildren.
We went from the children’s height stud to the kitchen–den where sandwiches were laid out (the coach had pre-ordered), as the conversation ramped up right away with Foxworthy becoming the “grand inquisitor.”
If you know anything about the second winningest coach in UGA history, you surely expect him to return thanks before the meal. Foxworthy complemented the humility of the blessing with a robust, “Amen.”
He asked the coach about his network television gig with ESPN. He asked about favorite players, his biggest games and most thrilling moments. The comedian was having the time of his life doing the asking and cheerleading at the same time.
I chose not to ask the comedian if in informal gatherings do people by their disposition and body language say, “Make me laugh!” I can tell you that all you have to do with this great Georgian is steer the conversation to grandchildren, Georgia football, and family and the laughs will erupt like a South Georgia thunderstorm in late July.
That is the beauty of this great talent, he makes you laugh without trying to. He is just naturally a very funny man. He watches people constantly—the man in the street—and collects material that brings houses down all over the country.
Foxworthy confided that a grandson was at the pool one day and announced that he was getting nature’s call. Jeff told the kid it would be okay for him to, this one time, do what comes naturally. The grandkid then jumped out of the water, took off his swim shorts, and sent a stream into the pool.
Coach Richt wanted us to try his favorite brand of chips, “Ruffles Baked Cheddar & Sour Cream.” All three of us kept reaching for this tasty delight until there was nothing left but crumbs.
When Jeff caught the coach pouring the residue from the chip bag into his mouth, he out a big “whoop,” whipped out his iPhone, and punched out a few notes in his grab-bag—another “You may be a Redneck” joke for a future performance. The man is always thinking, which means he is always working.
What I appreciate about Jeff is his genuineness. He is about children, grandchildren, the simple things in life. He swooned to the great moments of the coach’s Bulldog career. Most importantly, he appreciates Richt’s underscoring of the values of faith. They are on the same page when it comes to identifying with faith-based principles.
As we drove away, my thoughts suddenly turned to a couple 481 miles away. I feel for what Archie and Olivia Manning are going through. They must be agonizing with the pressure and criticism of their grandson, Arch.
Life has been good, generally speaking, for America’s first football family except for the controversy surrounding their famous grandson. They hurt for him just like any of us hurt for our own grandchildren. Life can be unfair and when it is, we suffer deeply when grandchildren are affected.