I didn’t think we’d wind up here again.  Yet, here we are.  Don’t get me wrong.  I’ve known since the Sugar Bowl champion was crowned, it was going to be difficult to knock off Alabama.  I, like many others, were not so shocked that we lost but how.  No one can deny the superiority with which the Crimson Tide play nor the genius decisions made by their Head Coach, Nick Saban.  While I hoped and believed for a win, I knew that a loss was entirely possible…just not this way…not again.

On Saturday, December 1, 2012, I sat in my living room and witnessed one of the most gut-wrenching college football games of my entire life.  Georgia and Alabama fought from beginning to end for the privilege of claiming the Southeastern Conference title and a berth in the BCS National Championship against the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.  Early in the 4th quarter, five lead changes were already in the books.  Now, with just 3 minutes and 15 seconds on the game clock, Alabama’s AJ McCarron delivered a 45-yard pass completion to Amari Cooper which, when coupled with the extra point, gave the Tide a 32-28 lead.

After a couple of stalled drives by each team, Georgia began their final push for victory on their own 15-yard line with just 1:08 left in the contest.  Thanks to Aaron Murray, Arthur Lynch, Todd Gurley, Tavarres King and Chris Conley, Dawg fans witnessed a tremendous drive against one of the nation’s top defenses and Georgia was in position to surpass the Crimson Tide on the board and advance to the National Championship.

With the ball resting on the Alabama 8-yard line and a fresh set of downs, instead of spiking the football, Bulldog Nation watched in horror as a 3-yard pass was completed from Murray to Conley at the 5-yard line.  The problem was we were out of timeouts and couldn’t stop the clock.  The seconds ticked away and any hope of playing for a National Championship were gone.  We were 5 yards and 5 seconds away…5 seconds.  In case you’re wondering, one of the reasons that so many Dawg fans have struggled to deal with the events of this past Monday, is the painful memories of what took place in, you guessed it, Atlanta a little more than 5 years ago.

I won’t take the time to rehash what transpired in Mercedes-Benz Stadium Monday night.  Those wounds are still to fresh to discuss.  But I am intrigued by the sportsmanship or lack thereof shown by each side of the field.  I won’t say that the horrible calls or missed calls by the officials cost us the game.  That’s simply not true.  We had more than our share of opportunities to overcome that ridiculous display of officiating and failed to do so.  But, let’s be honest, the nonsensical attempt by the crew to call a fair game certainly held our dogs by the tail and positioned us to play both Alabama and the Big 10.  It’s important to note here that it is difficult to defeat a team as talented as the Tide and the officials all in one night.

As the hours slipped away, there were multiple displays of unsportsmanlike conduct that were either not seen or ignored (I’ll let you decide).  You can’t slap at an opposing players helmet and call it school spirit.  You can’t shove the helmet of your opponents’ QB and call it getting caught up in the moment.  Shouting expletives and trying to rip away from those holding you back so that you can teach your coach a lesson on the sidelines in front of a national audience is not passion for the game.

Call me crazy but I’d prefer to carry myself with professionalism, respect and courtesy.  After all, the Bible says in Philippians 2:3, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”  I’d like to commend Georgia linebacker Walter Grant and quarterback Jake Fromm on their character and behavior on Monday.  After being slapped across the facemask, Walter turned and walked away.  After having his head shoved toward the turf, Jake simply stood up and got back to work, with no response.  Neither foul was called.  Alabama was never penalized.  Receiving the benefit of a flag certainly would have contributed to our cause but, more importantly, the character and resolve of these young men to keep their cool, was broadcasted into the living rooms of Americans all across the country.  For that, every Georgia fan should be proud.

There are so many young men on this Georgia team who have displayed commitment, character, excellence and determination throughout this 2017 season.  Nick Chubb and Sony Michel are two great examples.  While those mentioned in this post are far from perfect, they’ve made a difference during their careers as Georgia Bulldogs.  They’ve made their families proud.  They’ve made the university proud.  They should make every member of Bulldog Nation proud.  And it should inspire us as believers and challenge us to remember that, while life won’t always be fair, we are only responsible for ourselves.  While we cannot be perfect, we must strive every day to live our lives with integrity and excellence.  We’ll be hit with cheap shots and it will seem at times that those who oppose us will fare much better than we do.

But remember, when people hurt you, keep your head up.  When you’re talked about, love those around you all the more.  When it seems as if your enemy is winning even though they’re playing the game wrong, keep chopping wood and keep the main thing the main thing.  After all, trophies aren’t the only thing that determine a winner.