Han Vance on football culture: With the college football season finally almost upon us, seemed like a good time to reinstitute my ‘People of the Program’ sub-brand, which profiles the fine folks who care about and are or have been very deeply involved with Georgia football: the diehard fans, the former players, the people that make at least part of their livings off the culture that is “GEORGIA” and those not in it for any money at all.
I first interviewed Jonas Jennings, after he was a fully stellar UGA and then NFL player and before he was an active employee of the fair University. Then, I got to know young Nilla Battle, one of the Spike Squad crazies you see on TV every time the Dawgs play. He was all over the Rose Bowl footage in red-and-black Star Wars regalia, right after we first hung out in person in Pasadena. He did an anthemic song with Sony Michel, and they were in the same great senior class at UGA.
Now, let me introduce you to the NUT.
Upon summoning a ride for me, my lovely alumna wife said, “You are going to have something in common with this driver. His license plate says UGANUT.”
Dawgs in ATL:  We tooled toward the North Avenue MARTA train station, where I would be boarding an express bus to Woodstock to see family. Lyft driver Alan Hawkins at the wheel, he has been a University of Georgia season ticket holder since 1985, the same year he procured the awesome prestige license plate. “They charged us $25 to make it,” he said, “and at the time I didn’t even know it was a recurring charge. I pay a little every year to keep it.”
He added, “I was with UPS for 30 years, wore the brown uniform. Now I’m wearing my Georgia stuff to work. These red shirts, I have about 10 of these, all different shades of red.”
Georgia hat, Georgia Nikes, “G” helmet keychain, sunglass straps…check, check, check and check. Go Dawgs, right?
All Dawgs, All the time…just like Bulldawg Illustrated.
Would I go to your tailgate/party/event sometime and write about your amazing UGA fandom you may be wondering? I very well might.