Kirby Smart sends message to Georgia fans ahead of national championship celebration

Now that Kirby Smart has led the Georgia Bulldogs to the program’s first national championship in 41 years, he has just one request for the fans back in Athens: pack Sanford Stadium.

The Bulldogs announced that they will host a national championship celebration at Sanford Stadium on Jan. 15, and Georgia will broadcast its celebration on both the athletic department’s website and SEC Network Plus. As Smart leads Georgia back onto the field one more time to parade its national title win, he hopes that the Bulldogs supporters will show up in full force to support the team.

“We need to fill Sanford on Saturday to celebrate this special team!!” Smart said on Twitter. “If you are not using your tickets, pass them on to someone that can!!”

We need to fill Sanford on Saturday to celebrate this special team !! If you are not using your tickets, pass them on to someone that can !!

— Coach Kirby Smart (@KirbySmartUGA) January 13, 2022

According to Georgia Athletics’ website, the Bulldogs have already sold out of tickets for the national championship celebration on Saturday. The tickets were provided as complimentary to all season ticket holders and students, and doors at Sanford Stadium will open at noon. First, Georgia will parade down Lumpkin Street towards the stadium; the parade begins at 12:30 p.m., followed by the Dawg Walk at 1:00 p.m. and the final program will begin at 2:00 p.m.

Tim Tebow praises Georgia, Kirby Smart following national championship win

Following Georgia’s Monday night title game win over Alabama, the Bulldogs got plenty of praise from people across the country. But a notable rival, former SEC East and Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, thinks what Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has done is not only a big deal in 2021, but it could be a big deal for years to come. 

Tebow joined ESPN’s Get Up on Tuesday and discussed what Georgia’s defense was able to change to defeat the Crimson Tide after falling to them in embarrassing fashion just over one month ago. 

.@TimTebow says Kirby Smart and Georgia are "going to be a contender for the next 10 years."

"A sleeping giant was awakened." 😤 pic.twitter.com/4aERvlYPc5

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) January 11, 2022

“I think it’s one of the best all time,” Tebow said of the Bulldogs defense. “I really believe that. Because they did it on the biggest stage against the Heisman Trophy winner. Jameson (Williams) didn’t play the whole game, but (they did it) against one of the best receivers we’ve seen in the last decade.”

Williams left during the first half after injuring his knee. The subsequent diagnosis was a torn ACL, and the injury left the Tide without their top receivers for the remainder of the game. No. 2 wideout John Metchie was already sidelined with a torn ACL. 

“And they improved so much from Dec. 4,” Tebow added of the unit. “Dec. 4 they were outschemed, they were outcoached, they were outplayed. But they adapted, they improvised, they got in better condition, and then they showed up and said ‘You know what? Dec. 4, that wasn’t the real us, but we’re going to show you our true identity.’ And they did it for four quarters over and over again. That’s why I think they go down as one of the better defenses all-time.”

Georgia finished the year allowing just 10.2 points per game, which was the fewest points given up per contest since Alabama allowed just 8.2 points per game in 2011.

On3’s Ashton Pollard contributed to this report.