Georgia Bulldogs Countdown to Kickoff: 67 Days
It’s 67 days until the Georgia Bulldogs tee it up to begin the 2022 season, and we’re looking back for the significance of each number as it moves forward.
Today, we’re looking back at the 1967 roster and a key member of the team who’s helped shape the Bulldogs and the state of Georgia for years beyond his playing days.
1967 was Billy Payne’s final year on the Georgia roster, and while he played in 10 games that season and caught 10 passes for 144 yards, his support of Georgia athletics would far surpass his work on the roster for the Bulldogs.
A native of Athens, Georgia, Payne would go on to graduate from Georgia in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and followed that up with a J.D. from the Georgia School of Law in 1973.
After leaving the University, Payne would be a champion of putting the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996, serving as the head of the bid committee and the Games themselves.
In 2006, Payne was named the chairman of Augusta National Country Club, heading up the prestigious Masters tournament and allowing the first female members into the club during his chairmanship.
It was a role he would serve in until 2017.
That same year, Georgia opened the ‘House of Payne’, named for his father, Porter, and Billy himself. It was a state-of-the-art indoor practice facility that the Bulldogs had long sought to add to the football facility portfolio.
Payne headed up the efforts, obtaining private donations to support the effort.
No doubt that Payne is one of the great Dawgs of all time.
Recent Georgia Bulldogs Countdown to Kickoff Stories
No. 68 – 68 touchdowns on the season and look back on the best of the year
No. 69 – Georgia runs this state with 69 wins over Georgia Tech
No. 70 – Georgia’s last punt return touchdown sees Mecole Hardman take one 70 yards to the house
Does your blood run Red and Black?
Ready to get all your latest Georgia recruiting and team news in one place? Become a member of DawgsHQ today. With your DawgsHQ membership, you’ll not only have access to the goings on in Athens, but you’ll be able to peruse other fan sites within the On3 network to hear just how rivals are feeling about the Dawgs, as well. Make sure to follow along on Twitter (@DawgsHQ), on Facebook and on YouTube for all the Dawg news you need now! And listen to the DawgsHQ crew on our podcast Dawg Walk Talk on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
