The year is 1962
The Beatles first record, “My Bonnie†is released. Cuba and Russia sign a trade pact initiating the U.S. embargo against Cuba and a missile crisis would soon threaten the world with nuclear war. During a new moon and solar eclipse the planets literally align into a grand conjunction where all five classical planets plus the Sun and Moon can be seen with the naked eye.
What else happened in 1962?
On November 14th nine year old Ricky Nix saw Bobby Dodd and the Georgia Tech football team defeat the #1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, coached by Paul “Bear†Bryant at Grant Field, 7-6. Georgia Tech was led that day by All-Americans Billy Lothridge (QB), Rufus Guthrie (G), Dave Watson (G), and Mike McNames (FB). Alabama’s Joe Namath was defeated, thus ending their 1962 national title dreams. It is a page in the history of Georgia Tech football simply known as “the greatest game.†For a 9-year-old boy, it was the birth of a love for Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket football.
Fast forward to October 17, 2009
Rick Nix travels to Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field with the JollyGoodFellows, the 2nd and 3rd generation of family and friends, including two sons, and a new page has now been written for the history books. It started as a cold blustery day at 9am. The menu was Filet Mignon for lunch and Hokies for dinner. The game was a slow start, Tech’s offense pinned deep the entire 1st quarter, but the defense was uncharacteristically stout. Virginia Tech scored first in the 2nd quarter and would lead 3-0, but not for long and never again. As the first half waned, the Josh-Ness Monster heaved a 51-yard bomb to Bay Bay Thomas, the only completed pass needed for the Engineers. Five plays later Tech had it’s first touchdown and lead. The Architect, Paul Johnson, with a few half time adjustments, all but forgetting the legal forward pass, laid out the blue print for a run game that would only be stopped in the 2nd half by the Jackets themselves. The Wreckbone would produce 272 yards in the half that matters the most and victory was for the boys in the Old Gold and White. Georgia Tech defeats #4 ranked Virginia Tech 28-23, and the dawn of a new era of Georgia Tech football has arrived. 47 years later, Rick Nix’s childhood love affair has come full circle.
A memory that will last forever, glad I could share it with my Dad and brother and all the Jolly Good Fellows who come from far and near.
I can't say how happy I am to have shared this love affair of GT with my Dad and brother. It's also special to have my cousin (the pope) and best friend E be a part of the Jolly good Fellows. Whaat an incredible memory for all the JGF's!