Ladies and Gentlemen –
It saddens me to report that the beloved University of Georgia mascot UGA VI passed away last Friday.
The English Bulldog was the largest of all Georgia mascots at 65 pounds and represented the University of Georgia during two Southeastern Conference Championships and posted the best record of any mascot with the football team during his ten year rein at 87 and 27.
“He was a good one”, owner Frank W. “Sonny” Seiler said in a statement released by the university.
“What can I say? He had a marvelous record. He was a very strong and healthy dog. He was the biggest of all the dogs, and he had the biggest heart. It just played out.”
UGA VI was buried yesterday in his famous kennel; entombed in the granite and marble mausoleum in the southwest corner of Sanford Stadium where UGA’s five predecessors are buried.
COMMENTARY
Many of you may be saying, what’s the big deal; It was just a dog, or why should he care he isn’t a Georgia man.
But I do care.
I care because I love the pageantry and tradition of college football and it doesn’t get any better than seeing UGA on the field with his red letter sweater barking at the opposing team.
I care because I have never met a bad Georgia Bulldog fan.
I care because I think the world of Sonny Seiler and his bride Miss Cecelia.
I care because of Lewis Grizzard and Vince Dooley.
I care because UGA VI tried to bite that smartass Auburn football player a few years ago.
I care because the Bulldog Nation would line up for hours, just to have their picture taken with him.
I care because I loved that Big Ole Bulldog.
Written on the side of UGA VI’s famous kennel in red and black letters, it said……..”A Damn Good Dawg.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
RTR
MEB