On the night of Monday, January 10, 2022, the Georgia Bulldogs football team won the National Championship game for the college football season. This was a legendary moment for Georgia fans everywhere, including many at Chamblee, especially since UGA had not won a national championship since the 1980 season, and had not beaten Alabama since the 2007 season. 

Governor Brian Kemp signed a proclamation on the Saturday before the game declaring January 10 “Hunker Down Day” in Georgia, and encouraged residents of the state to wear black and red.

The gift of winning in sports has blessed Georgia this year, and some would say Georgia has broken a curse.

“Georgia has always been really good, but for some reason, we’ve always had horrible luck. We’ve had the curse. We’ve broken the curse. The curse is dead. The Braves won. Georgia won,” said Ryan Donovan (‘22).

Many Georgia fans at Chamblee celebrated the win with their families, who brought them up with the team.

“I feel spectacular because I’ve been a Georgia Bulldog fan my whole life. My parents went there. My brother goes there now,” said Donovan. 

Some students from Chamblee now attend UGA, and others have siblings or friends that attend, strengthening their connection with the team.

“My brother went there and he graduated a couple years ago, so I’ve been rooting for them since he went there,” said Joey David (‘25).

Having a strong dedication to the team also makes this win feel very special.

“I am so excited. I have been a Georgia Bulldog all my life because my dad went to UGA when he was in college. So I’ve been watching football games with him and all his friends from college ever since I can remember,” said Olivia Grove (‘24). “And you know, we’ve never ever won a national championship in my lifetime. It was really an awesome moment.”

Many of our Chamblee Bulldogs watched the game at home with their family, partly because of COVID.

“I watched with my dad on TV at home,” said Donovan.

For some Bulldogs, that is a change from the norm.

“It was just me and my dad and my sister, and we were at home,” said Grove. “Because normally, we go to a big football party for the national championship, but because of COVID, we sort of had to dial it back. We had a bunch of finger foods and stuff; it was really chill.”

Hopes of Success

After the Bulldogs lost to Alabama in the Southeastern Conference [SEC], they were back for revenge.

“[Georgia] got beat by Alabama in the SEC championship, so they had to come back and [avenge] themselves. [But] they did. They quieted the hate,” said Donovan.

The win for Georgia was hoped for, but not expected.

“I did not [expect to win] because we went to the National Championships a few years ago with Alabama and we kind of caved. So I was going in with high hopes but low expectations,” said Grove.

Going into next year, Georgia fans want their team to continue being successful. 

“I’m hoping they win the championship again, but I don’t expect it. I think our recruiting class is pretty good and Kirby Smart is doing really well. He’s the head coach,” said David.

However, they do not exactly expect to go as far next year.

“I think next year we’ll just be rebuilding a little bit. You can’t win back to back; it’s very hard, but [we should] be competitive, beat the rivals, and just get better as a team,” said Donovan. “Maybe have more offense.”

Many agree that this time is good for the team to take time and build their skills.

“I think the team just sort of has to maintain that momentum. This is a really great moment. But obviously, the work isn’t over. When we get back on the field next season, we still have to keep up the work ethic that we’ve been having,” said Grove. “I think Stetson Bennett is a great choice for our quarterback next season, but some of the other team members might be traded to other schools if he continues to play so I think it would be in Georgia’s best interest to have another quarterback as an alternate, maybe. Maybe we’ll have another breakthrough moment like Stetson Bennett.”

The Other Team

On the other side of the rivalry, Alabama fans expected more of a win on their side.

“I expected to completely win. I put a lot of money on the game. I lost a lot of money. But, you know, everyone gets surprised, everyone’s wrong,” said Henry Cutler (‘23), an Auburn fan who was rooting for Alabama.

With the team already having two injuries before the game, the outlook was not ideal.

“So Metchie [a receiver] already being out was a little concerning, a lot concerning. And then Josh Jobe, our corner [cornerback], being hurt, that was also going to be a problem, and they took advantage of that. But coming from the SEC championship game, I knew Georgia was going to be really hungry. And it’s hard to beat the same team twice. So I kind of expected a really competitive game, like the first three quarters were,” said ‘Bama fan Jonathan Eubanks (‘22).

During the game, Alabama’s hopes continued to fall due to another player injury and the way the game was unfolding.

“I just kind of knew it was over when Jameson Williams [another receiver] got hurt. I kind of knew that was it because John Metchie was already hurt. So [we] didn’t have receiving. Bryce [Young] [the quarterback for ‘Bama] was a little off all night. But, you know, Georgia played [well],” said Eubanks.

 Although they were not the main factor in the win, certain circumstances did help Georgia.

“If things were different, [if] they didn’t injure their best receivers, outcomes are completely different. [‘Bama lost] definitely because of the receivers. I feel that way, but I’m also a man of excuses,” said Cutler. “I will say Georgia played their hearts out. And Stetson Bennett’s a great underdog story.”

Georgia’s Standout Moments

Stetson Bennett, a quarterback for UGA, was a standout part of this final game and season for Georgia.

“Stetson Bennett, the quarterback, he was an alternative at the start of the season and a lot of people have had their doubts about him, especially in the SEC championship game when we lost to Alabama. He was being played [given play time in the game] and everyone kind of blames it on him, but I’ve always supported Stetson Bennett,” said Grove. “I love JT Daniels [the original quarterback] as well, but I think Bennett’s done an exceptional job, especially as the alternate.”

Georgia played well throughout this final game, and various parts of the team can be credited for making it a win.

“I credit the beautiful defense who just played phenomenal. They did everything they needed to do to win, while the offense is kind of mediocre, but it was a team effort,” said Donovan.

As a team, Georgia was able to work together and win, especially during the fourth quarter, when they really began to take the lead.

“I actually missed the most exciting part of the game, which is the fourth quarter, so I rewatched it and I just noticed so many awesome plays,” said Grove. “I think all of the players are really in tune with each other this season. That’s a thing that I’ve been noticing throughout all the games, so I think that can be attributed to the win.”

This season is unique because of its return after a year and a half of dealing with COVID-19.

“I think it’s a great symbol that people have been putting in hard work, like Georgia players and the fans staying dedicated,” said Grove. “I think that’s a great symbol of unity and commitment throughout the pandemic.”

This game in particular stands out in this season because of its long-awaited reward.

“It’s the championship so it shows all the hard work that they’ve done and [the fact that] they’re finally able to overcome this obstacle,” said David. “It was a really good game.”

Overall, proud Georgia fans are holding their heads up high.

“It’s just like, wow, this is what greatness feels like,” said Donovan. “This is amazing. This is where champions are made. This is Georgia.”