I can recall, as a freshman on campus at Georgia in the 90s, walking across the bridge by the Tate Center one spring morning and seeing something you don’t usually see on the bridge. A nice new red SUV came driving across the bridge, which was odd since you typically only saw buses take that route during the school day. More unusual, it pulled into a space by Memorial Hall that wasn’t really a space and parked.
Exiting the vehicle: Hines Ward.
I knew of Ward’s humble roots in Forest Park, and knew his mom couldn’t afford such luxury for Ward, so some simple math and a not-too-big mental leap could put two and two together to figure out how that might’ve happened. Back then, it was all under the table, I suppose.
Flash forward to 2025:
Sure, it’s NIL and all. I seem to also remember a picture when Brenton Cox was being recruited that showed a fleet of cars on the indoor practice field, which was pre-NIL.
So what do you think was the real under the table deals that were conducted prior to NIL? Dickerson’s gold Trans Am comes to mind.
But his grandma’s name was on the paperwork…with the promise that an Aggie booster would reimburse her.
Shenanigans, for the win.
Good for those kids, and anyone anywhere who can finally get paid after countless years of bringing in the millions for their schools.
But are we to believe that, with the entire TU team driving a fleet of Lambos and Ferraris and Porsches and whatever, that UGA players are the only ones who drive fast? More likely, the ACC PD is the only PD that doesn’t have an “understanding” with their school.
I remember seeing Mike WIlson tooling around campus in a brand new Corvette in 76 or winter 77. Same thing.
I seem to recall Marquis Elmore’s car was a piece of shit and half the team used it to get around town.
Also, Texas is as soft as tissue paper.
No lambo is gonna help that.
Herschel had a nice Trans Am. Even Jimmy Womack had a nice car back then. I’m sure Frank Sinkwich and Charlie Trippi decided to come from PA to Georgia (versus any other school around them) for the free education.
NIL has made it all public and probably ramped it up a bit, since now every booster with money can flaunt a bit of cash and pay for a player or two.
The Eric Dickerson story is hilarious because he was riding around at SMU in a Trans Am paid for by an Aggie.
Thought I saw an article that explained Trippi and Sinkwich coming to UGA. Wasn’t it associated with working at Coke? Something akin to the movie ‘Field of Dreams’ where ‘Moonlight Graham’ sought a job and also play for a team.
I think you’re right. The key players all got jobs at local places, where the job usually entailed playing well on Saturday. During down times, they may have shown up to do some chores but I think it was just another way to pay the players.
Didn’t Sir Francis Tarkenton arrive in a new Thunderbird?
lambo’s are TRASH. Just shows where the mindset is of these kids and who provides them.
I am a car guy…specifically high performance cars that also are in IMSA and WEC (Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin’s…heck even Vette’s) and Lambos don’t stack up. They are trash.
https://champagnehirevsandgirls.blogspot.com/2009/09/lousy-lamborghini.html
My 11 year old grandson wouldn’t consider anything less than a Maserati or Bugatti.
LOL!
I don’t know but it would be interesting to find out. Not the same thing but a buddy of mine has officiated highschool games for a while now and went through training with a guy who played with Herschel. He said Herschel did not practice. I don’t know if it’s true or not. I don’t even care. If he didn’t that was probably smart.
I doubt that story about Herschel not practicing. I do know he wasn’t a practice warrior. That’s why Vince told Larry he thought he may have recruited a big, slow fullback before the season started.
Also, I knew a few of the guys at that time and never heard any stories about any player not having to practice. That’s the best way to lose a team if you ask me.
OK. I’ll be that guy; The genie is out and that is fine. Pay these kids something, sure. But it has really gotten over the top and out of control.
Moe!
Somewhat off topic, you did mention Hines Ward. What’s up with Kirby not getting Hines to come home and coach WR. He is the Arizona State WR coach and he’s a damn good Dawg. Is the something that makes Kirby not want his old teammate? Sorry for the interruption but this has made me think there is something.
There’s being a coach and being a recruiter, so I’d imagine Kirby is looking at recruiting muscle when it comes to coach hires. I haven’t heard of any animosity between the two at all. Also, where’s agent Muschamp?
How can a Super Bowl NFL player not recruit well?
Well, a Super Bowl NFL legend may not want to spend 24/7 on the road kissing a 16/17 year old’s butt like Kirby wants. I’m not saying that’s the case with Hines, but I’m sure that’s what Kirby expects.
Kirby wants what he wants. If Kirby thought Hines was what he needed, he’d hire him. The same with Terrence Edwards. There’s probably something there that ain’t been aired out publicly and working for Kirby ain’t a picnic – just ask Coach Luke. Hell, Hines might throw out interest in coaching at UGA to put his name in the news for other jobs.
I remember when one of the biggest fears was some of our big uglies getting hurt on motorized scooters
We’ve come and long way from Mudcat’s car.
Lambo’s on the field are nice and all, but they dent too easily when struck with a water bottle.
Any parent that would let their 18 year old son drive a fucking Lamborghini is an idiot. You’re asking to attend an early funeral. Tell the boosters to deposit the $$ into a bank account.
Numerous top players in the 90s had cars provided to them at UGA. I never cared then or now.
I’m a little late here, but the privilege to drive on campus and park wherever he felt like probably draws ire from ordinary students. Deserved too. Student athlete!?