Kirby Smart Issues Challenge to Georgia Fanbase Before Matchup with South Carolina
If there's one thing in the world Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart hates and fears, it is complacency.
Since the moment Georgia won the 2021 CFP National Championship, Smart has talked about avoiding complacency. The last thing he wants is for him and his team to get used to success, praise and success.
Smart accomplishes this feat in a myriad of ways. There are the inspirational quotes: "Humility is a week away" and "We will not be hunted," among other famous soundbites. Then there are the ways those outside the Georgia football program don't understand and often ridicule.
There's this belief that all of the ridicule and disrespect Georgia football receives after two straight national championships is all made up by the team and its fans. But, is that a problem?
On Tuesday, Kirby Smart answered a question about a forgotten quote from SEC Media Days by South Carolina defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway. Hemingway, when asked about the most intense stadiums he's experienced at South Carolina, omitted Sanford Stadium from his two-stadium list (mentioning Neyland Stadium and Kyle Field instead).
Georgia coach Kirby Smart celebrates with cornerback Deandre Baker (18) after a defensive stop in the second half against South Carolina during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in Athens, Ga. (Joshua L. Jones/Athens Banner-Herald via AP)
Smart took the opportunity as only he can, as a challenge to mot
Did Hemingway slight Georgia on purpose? Maybe not. He was a seldom-used sophomore when the Gamecocks last visited Athens in 2021. Does that matter to Smart? Not at all. This was the latest example to show the Bulldogs that they are not getting the respect they deserve.
Other fans and media members may laugh or show disgust when former Bulldog Nolan Smith says everyone thought Georgia would go 7-5 in 2022, or anytime Smart says the national media didn't believe in his team. However, those fans and media members can't argue with the results.
Georgia has rode this "disrespect" to 19-consecutive-wins, and almost a year at the top of the AP Top 25, both program bests.
All this isn't to say Smart doesn't have justification. The College Football Playoff Committee did indeed drop Georgia to No. 2 entering its game against Tennessee last season. Alabama was clearly ranked preseason No. 1 and named favorites to win the national title in 2022, despite Georgia being the defending national champs.
Even before climbing the mountaintop in 2021, Georgia, its players, coaches and fans all had to hear remarks like "Mark Richt 2.0," "Kirby can't develop" and "1980" as Georgia came up short year after year.
If you're one of those who scoffs whenever Kirby Smart feigns disrespect, you best ignore it because he's not going to stop finding ways to attack complacency before it sets in.
