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WATCH: Kirby Smart calls the Dawgs during national championship parade

James Fletcher IIIby:James Fletcher III•01/15/22•

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Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart brought his alma mater its first football national championship since 1980 on Monday, defeating his former employer Nick Saban for the first time in the process. As he returns home to Athens, Georgia as a hero, Kirby Smart could not help himself from participating in the age-old tradition of “calling the Dawgs” in front of the full crowd.

As he participated in the “Dawg Walk” down the Athens streets and into Sanford Stadium, Kirby Smart embraced his family and enlisted the help of his youngest son to hype up the crowd by calling the Dawgs while waving to the crowd.

As Georgia continues to celebrate its CFP national championship, plenty more heartfelt moments between the coaches, fans and players also promise to come out of Sanford Stadium with the party raging through the streets throughout the day and into the night.

Kirby Smart addresses the fans

Following Georgia’s national title win, Kirby Smart took a moment to praise the fans that made the trip to Lucas Oil Stadium. Throughout the team’s stay in Indianapolis, Smart said that Georgia fans were everywhere. That carried over into the stands during the game.

“Dawg Nation showing up here, the tremendous belief in this program, of our fan base,” Smart said after Georgia won the title. “I mean, everywhere we went in Indianapolis we saw our people. Somebody told me it would be 60-40; it felt like 70-30.”

Moving forward, Smart doesn’t want fans to get complacent or spoiled despite now having another national title. Smart wants everyone involved – players, fans, coaches – to stay hungry to keep building off of this season’s momentum.

“I just hope they remember this feeling and understand they don’t need to get spoiled, they need to stay hungry like these players,” Smart added.

In addition, Smart addressed the fans in anticipation of Saturday’s celebration, taking to Twitter to encourage fans to rally around the historic team achievement.

“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!!”

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.

According to Georgia Athletics’ website, the Bulldogs also sold out of tickets for the national championship celebration on Saturday. The tickets were provided as complimentary to all season ticket holders and students.