One Old Dawg: 1964 University of Georgia Varsity Football Team

Jerry Varnado played defensive end at the University of Georgia on Vince Dooley’s first three teams. No, he did not wear a leather helmet, but he did play on the 1966 SEC championship team, which placed Georgia fourth in the nation. One Old Dawg went on to help coach the UGA football team while he was in law school, and after graduating, he practiced law for over a decade.

Later, after a series of tragedies, he gave his life to Jesus Christ. After much soul searching, he left his law practice and has now been faithfully preaching the gospel for nearly thirty years. Though semi-retired, he’s still at it every Sunday.

Inducted into the Valdosta/Lowndes County Sports Hall of Fame, he is the recipient of the Athens Athletic Hall of Fame Fosky Henderson Award for community service. He is happy to say he was president of The Athens Touchdown Club when his beloved Bulldogs won the 1980 National Championship.

He is the proud father of four children, sweet Alden who is now with Jesus, Mari, Aaron, and Bethany, and he's the grandfather of two of the best grandkids ever, Walker and Sara Alden.

Check in here every Wednesday through football season or better yet sign up to receive by email. You don't want to miss any of his mostly true Bulldog lore.

Who's writing this here blog?

Well, it used to be that One Old Dawg would rather be flogged than blog, but gradually he's gotten used to the idea. One Old Dawg’s wife, Beverly Varnado, still helps him out. She’s not old. He married a MUCH younger woman. She thought somebody ought to get down these stories One Old Dawg has been telling for decades. And though she said she’d never do it, she’s become his administrative assistant following him around with a notepad and recorder. One Old Dawg has always hoped this would happen. ~sigh~ She’s also plundering a cardboard box of memorabilia his mama saved and taking out straight pins that have held newspaper clippings together for fifty years. Thank you Mama Varnado for such a wealth of material. You can also catch Beverly on her personal blog, One Ringing Bell, her website http://www.beverlyvarnado.com/, or pick up one of her books, Home to Currahee, or Give My Love to the Chestnut Trees.

1964 University of Georgia Varsity Football Team

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