AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > December > 11 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMy friend, George Morris
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I beg your indulgence this morning.
I don’t want to talk about the BCS and whether or not there should be a playoff in college football.
I don’t want to talk about the coaching carousel, the agents, and the millions of dollars these people are chasing.
I don’t want to talk about any of the things that fans think are wrong with college football. We can do that another time.
Today I want to talk about my friend, George Morris.
It is a sign of our times, and a sad one I might add, that the first six pages of this morning’s sports section were consumed with news about a man whose selfishness and arrogance embarrassed and humiliated his family and university. That same man has all but destroyed the professional organization that once laid the entire world before his feet.
Our culture, and the media that feeds it, is consumed with the wealthy and the famous, especially when their shortcomings can be put on full public display. We just love it when the rich and talented crash and burn. They get the ink in the obsessive culture that all of us have played a role in creating.
That’s why you should know about George Morris, a man who spent his life giving back to the game and the people that he loved.
A man who was one of the greatest ambassadors in the history of Georgia Tech and who did everything in his power to further the legacy of its great coach, Bobby Dodd.
A member of the College Football Hall of Fame who never thought that football was supposed to make him rich. It just made him happy.
A man with an infinite ability to collect friends and admirers.
George Morris was a football official for 30 years, a pretty impressive run. His last game as an official was a famous one, the Alabama-Auburn game of Dec, 2, 1989, the first time Alabama had ever played at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Not a bad way to go out.
Every year George would return to the College Football Hall of Fame dinner in New York, where he was inducted in 1981. He loved being around his fellow Hall of Famers. Every year in the grand ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria, the spotlight would hit Morris, he would stand in his tuxedo, wave to the crowd and smile the largest of smiles. The emcee of the banquet would say “a 1981 inductee from Georgia Tech, the great George Morris.” It never got old.
And well after the banquet George could be found in one of the lounges of the Waldorf-Astoria, holding court with people of all ages. I have been in the audience. It was great stuff.
Here is the point. George Morris was a man who spent his life after his football playing days trying to give something back. He loved Georgia Tech and wanted to do whatever he could to help the Institute. He loved Bobby Dodd, which is why he devoted so much of his time as president of the Bobby Dodd Foundation. He loved his family, his community, and his friends.
The game of football in general, and Georgia Tech in particular, had given George Morris a better life. Because of that, he felt an obligation to give something back and spent his life doing it.
George had a heart as big as a Mack truck. But on Monday the call came that his big old heart had stop beating. He was so much larger than life that it just never occurred to some of us that he was mortal like the rest of us.
George Morris was a man. He was a man’s man.
And there are too damned few of them left.
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Comments
By Doug Gilmore
December 11, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this
Mr. Morris was indeed one of the finest ambassadors Georgia Tech has seen. He ranks with Coach Dodd and Dean Griffin as the epitome of the “Tech Man”. A good man, an honorable man.
Thank you for your words, Tony.
By Plagiarizing Roswell Ed
December 11, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this
Tony,
The only thing I can disagree with you about is that there aren’t any men left.
It’s not that. It’s just that the bums give everyone else a bad name.
Remember Tony. Nobody ever sold any media named the
The Good News Post
or the
Feel Good Gazette(at least legitimate media)
By John Sharp
December 11, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this
I count it a great honor to have known George for 65 years. We met in the sixth grade and graduated together in 1949. We both married classmates. I have read the many tributes he has received and can only say that they are all very much deserved. He will be missed by his family and great host of friends.
By scooter11
December 11, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this
Met George through business a while back. Nice man, and a credit to the game. Sorry to hear of his passing. Condolences to his and the Tech families.
By PWS
December 11, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this
Mr. Morris was indeed a great person. There is a freshman premed student at GT this fall who was once a little girl who loved to watch GT men’s basketball when she was 5 years old. Mr. Morris made it possible for her to sit behind the bench on her seventh birthday, something she will never forget. And this was after Dave Braine had denied the request…. Even though Mr Morris himself is not gone, he is still giving through all those young people he influenced, he will be greatly missed.
By PWS
December 11, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this
Please excuse the typo in the last post, I meant to say that even though Mr Morris himself is now gone, he continues to give through all the people he gave back to during his lifetime, people he didn’t know, but wanted to help. He will be missed.
By War Eagle
December 11, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this
When I was a senior in high school and being recruited by Tech, I met George Morris. later in years we cross the same path at a high school football clinic. He remembers our meeting with “I told you so”, greeting, meaning selecting Auburn over Tech. He was a personal man with a passion for Coach Dodd and Tech.. Prayers to his family and friends.
By Hatcher Backer
December 11, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this
One of the brightest stars in the Georgia Tech universe. George and Bobby Dodd are up there ripping off a chorus of “Ramblin Wreck” righ this minute. We have to say good bye to Georgia Tech legend. Blessings to his family.
By Liz Scrantom
December 11, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this
I knew this great man as Uncle George. He and his wife, Polly have been my godparents for 45 years. Whenever I saw Uncle George, he treated me with as much love and affections as he showed his own 5 children. He was larger than life and I’ll miss him, those bear hugs. I know he’s UP THERE playing first string and showing his heavenly teamates how a true gentleman plays the game of life.
By JB
December 11, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this
I’m a DAWG Fan. I met Mr. Morris in Roswell Georgia in a store I was running. I tell you, he’s the finest man I believe I’ve ever met. A great guy who treated everyone like they were in the hall of fame. It’s a sad day for the Morris Family, Georgia Tech and the country. We have lost a great American.
By TED SHULER
December 11, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this
Being from Memphis and George Morris being from Mississippi, we started our years at Tech with geographics in common. By the time we graduated together in 1953, we had lots more in common. He was a great friend, a fellow member and star linebacker on the 1952 national championship football team and a groomsman in my wedding the summer before our junior year. We have remained close friends since our Georgia Tech days, and his passing is a really deep and sad shock to me, but I look forward to joining him in God’s heaven at some time in the not too distant future. My prayers and blessings go to his sweet wife, Polly, and to his family and many, many good friends.
By Refrigeratormover
December 11, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
Tony, Thank you for the kind comments about Mr. Morris. We who are brothers within the Tech Lettermen club will miss him very much.
By Kimberly
December 11, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
I’ve never been a football fan and I never knew all these football glories of my Uncle George. I just knew him as a fun-loving, story-telling, giant of a man. His passing comes as a shock to his family and he will be missed. Sherilyn, Suanne, Gus, Thames, Thea, and Aunt Polly, my prayers are with you.
By Art Demmas
December 11, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
I’ve known George Morris since he and the Georgia Tech championship team took me and the Vanderbilt team to the wood-shed. Since then, we developed a wonderful friendship as we worked together to promote amateur football, George as president of the Greater Atlanta chapter and I as the National Football Foundation’s Southern Co-ordinator.To say that George will be missed is a gross understatement. My condolences to Polly and the Morris family on this tragic loss. Art Demmas
By Morris Spears
December 11, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this
Thank you so much for the kind words. I could fill up pages and pages of kind things to say about my uncle, but in a nut shell he was a gentle giant. He was an incredible husband to Polly, father to his kids, grandfather to his grandkids, brother to my mother and my other unlces, Uncle to myself and my cousins, friend, team mate……..most of all he was just an incredible human being and role model. As a man of large stature he was very intimidating, but his heart was a big as they come. I am feel truely blessed to have known him in my lifetime.
By Dick Philpot
December 11, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
Have had the pleasure 0f knowning George since he came to Tech from Vicksburg,Ms., as a great player,fine official,great family man & active participant in National Football Foundation!He was without a peer. His presence was felt when he walked into a room.Was stunned to learn the news last night from our mutual friend Claire{Mrs.Ray} Beck. Dick Philpot
By USAFCCF
December 11, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this
Tony, Thanks for the great column. You are right, many folks in today’s sports world can’t hold a candle to those who played before them. God Bless The Morris family
By RAY BROADAWAY
December 11, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
GEORGE MORRIS WAS MY JOHN WAYNE——
HE WAS MY HERO!
By Jane Malloy
December 11, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
I grew up spending many weekends at the Morris family’s home in Sandy Springs. The whole family pretty much embraced me as one of their own from the first day.
When I was sixteen years old my father died and the whole family took extra care with me during the weeks after his death. However, one night, at either one of the Morris’s Christmas party’s or famous fish frys, George pulled me aside and gave me a big hug and said that he considered me to be his fifth “daughter” and if I ever needed anything to let him know. This meant more to me than I could ever express, and made me feel a sense of security that I had not felt since my father died.
I am lucky that I had the opportunity to know George and hope he knew how special he was to me then and throughout my life.
My condolences to the whole Morris family.
By John Vestal
December 11, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this
It really is true…..George Morris’ presence could be ‘felt’ when he entered a room. He was a great speaker and ambassador for Tech and colege football.
He will be missed.
By Blue Fox
December 11, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
George was indeed a classic “Tech man” who never failed to step up to whatever challenge the Institute presented him. Ironically, George was the one that first brought Chan Gailey to AD Dave Braine’s attention during the search for George O’Leary’s successor, with his belief that Chan was a honorable, compassionate coach in the mold of Dodd and Alexander. To his credit, Gailey lived up to those ideals, despite falling short in success on the field.
By techster
December 11, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this
When I was a sub-fresham in 1951, a friend and I would ride the bus to Grant field, and sell concessions to make some extra money. I had never played football and had no interest. After a while I would sell concessions during the first half and watch the games in the second half. I developed a fondness and love for GT that has lasted a lifetime. There were several players that I emulated. But George and Larry Morris were my heroes. Now George has left us. Thank God for people like that who have changed lives of 13 year old boys and girls.
By Tom
December 11, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this
George Morris was ‘bigger than life’ to GT “Rat’ in 1952 and he remained so all these years because as Tony said he ‘gave back’. What a wonderful example, especially in juxtaposition to the mV farce we have witnessed. I wish the new AD and coach would use George Morris’ life as the example to all GT athletes of who they should emulate!
By Mike Langley
December 11, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this
George Morris…I had read about him and known all about his glory days, but just had the pleasure to meet him the day of the UGA / GT game this year. Yes, he was an extremely warm gentleman and I can see why he was loved by all. Tech has indeed lost another legend, but our Lord has gained one.
By SneakyDawg
December 11, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this
He spoke to our football club once, and not only was he everything you said, he was quite entertaining and funny. His tales of life as a referee were hilarious. No doubt he loved the game.
By life-long Tech fan
December 11, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
George Morris was one of my favorite players when I first started going to the Tech games in 1951 at the age of nine. Where are all my heroes going? Ray Beck, Kim King and now George Morris - another sad time for people who love the Georgia Tech football program.
By Randy Rhino
December 11, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
Thank You Tony for your wonderful words on George. I had the privilege of experiencing New York with George. He took me under his big wing and introduced me to everyone. In fact he took care of my whole family that weekend. The best was, as you described, hearing him hold court in the Waldorf Lounge after the ceremony. I will miss him. He was a teammate of my fathers. That 51-53 group has lost a lot of teamates this year. I know they are all probably sitting around in heaven listening to the man that they all loved, Coach Dodd talk about GT football.
By luvthejackets
December 11, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this
RAY BROADWAY said it best…George Morris was my John Wayne
By Andy W
December 11, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this
I too am a Dawg fan who had the pleasure of knowing Mr. George, Polly, and the family. George was a generous and kind gentleman, who treated my family as if we had always been a part of his. He was a first class gentleman, and my family is better for having been touched by this legendary Ramblin Wreck!
By Gene
December 11, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
That was a nice tribute to an athlete from a period when players graduated from college and were proud of it. Perhaps had Vick been serious about education, he would have learned something about behavior. With all of the criticism about the Heisman Trophy over the weekend, I looked back over the list of winners. Nyle Kennick was killed in WWII, and Tom Harmon was awarded a Silver Star after receiving the Heisman. Morris was in that category of individual. There are still some fine and decent athletes in various sports, but the number is certainly decreasing in proportion to their earnings.
By Jack Johnson-- AU '53
December 11, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this
George Morris was a great friend and what a football player he was!! And what a Tech man he was. Shortly after moving to Fair Oaks Manor to become a neighbor of George and Polly, I was out in my yard mowing grass one day, George pulled up, rolled the window down and barked ” You are mowing that d—ed grass too low.” To which I replied, “Look, I went to Auburn and we INVENTED grass!” When he got out of his car to shake my hand and welcome me as a neighbor, I realized what a big man he was and that I’d better watch my smart aleck remarks from there on. Oh, I would occasionally comment (carefully mind you)on his officiating at Auburn games. By rule, George could not officiate Tech games, the Dawgs wouldn’t think about having him so it was natural to have George at Auburn games. I told him he had beaten our Tigers as a player and might as well come on down and beat us with some lousy calls! We stayed friends. And what a friend he and Polly were to us, We moved away from Atlanta but never forgot those neighbors who give of everything they had and all the laughs over the years.
By Jimmy Robinson
December 11, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this
Tony A wonderful column about a wonderful guy. George, you will be missed by all of us.
By CW
December 12, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this
Tony, The only thing better than your column has been reading the personal stories of all the people who were touched by Mr. Morris. Thank all of you.
By DAWGLB
December 12, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
I’M A TRUE DAWG. IN THE 80’S I DID BUSINESS WITH BIG GEORGE!! IT WAS PURE PLEASURE KNOWING HIM AND LISTENING TO HIS GREAT STORIES. A GREAT MAN HAS LEFT US!!
By Royce Hobbs
December 12, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this
My first exposure to GA Tech was when George Morris played there and the great Bobby Dodd was coach. I have been a die hard fan since although I attended another college. George Morris will be missed and his presence unreplaceable.
By Trae Parker
December 12, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this
Although I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Morris, it’s very obvious how well respected he was. When other legends esteem him so highly, it’s very true that we have lost a great American, a great family man and a great Tech man.
By Barbara A. Morris
December 12, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this
I read of my great uncle’s passing in the Vicksburg Post Tuesday night. I would like to post this comment in hopes that my family (who I don’t believe I have ever met before) will see this and understand how sorry I am to hear of Uncle’s George’s passing. I have read all the other comments before me, and I am truly sorry I was not given the opportunity to get to know any of you, even Uncle George because it sounds to me like he was a wonderful person with a heart made of gold. It’s amazing how you can share blood with someone and never know a single thing about them. I send out my prayers to my family members and hopefully one day we’ll be able to meet.
By Lisa Richards
December 12, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this
I was fortunate enough for a time to feel like another child in the Morris family. Mrs. Morris was just as used to seeing my face in her kitchen as any of her own children’s and I loved it! Mr. Morris, I can’t call him George, was always such a large force as well as a large man. I knew that he had been quite a ball player at Tech but it wasn’t until I was much older that I realized what a large force he really was. The fact that he was recently honored again as a legend in the game of football, in the city that I now call home, and that his family was with him is appropriate. The George Morris I knew was a beloved father to his children, husband to Polly and living legend to me.
My sympathy and love goes out to the Morris family.
By Barbara A. Morris
December 12, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this
I read of my Uncle George’s passing in the Vicksburg Post yesterday evening and I have to say I am truly sorry that I was never given the opportunity to get to know him better. I send my prayers to his immediate family and hopefully one day we’ll be able to meet. It’s truly amazing how you can share blood with someone and never even know them. Good luck and you guys are in my prayers for losing such a wonderful family member!
By Carol Trusty
December 13, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this
Mr. Morris was indeed a very kind man. I had the privilege of teaching his grandson, John Marshall, in fourth and fifth grade. Mr. and Mrs. Morris allowed me several weekends at their Highland home. Now, how generous is that! I know that he will be missed by all, but what a wonderful legacy he has left behind for his children, grandchildren and friends! May God comfort the family at this time!
By Frank Ballo
December 14, 2007 1:06 AM | Link to this
I recall seeing George Morris in 1953 when he was playing for Al Davis while in the Army and playing at Kent State University, Kent, Ohio. Their team was made up of several outstanding football players while on TDY!!