AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2008 > November > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USI’m thankful for Furman Bisher
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m up early before the rest of the house that is happily full of family. I’m enjoying my first cup of coffee and what long ago became my ritual on Thanksgiving morning: Reading Furman Bisher’s Thanksgiving column.
Furman, as he always does, sums of the time and spirit of the day perfectly. He leaves nothing important unsaid.
But if I may beg your indulgence and Furman’s for using his format, I want to add a few more things before the crowd wakes up and Thanksgiving Day begins:
I’m thankful for Furman Bisher. Over the past 24 years the man who I grew up reading and the man who made me want to be a sports writer has become colleague and is now a friend. How lucky am I? The calendar may say he is 90 but Bisher’s heart and intellect are younger than us all.
I’m thankful for you. We don’t always see eye to eye and when I’m wrong, you call me on it. Even when I’m not wrong, you try to convince me that I am. Some of you infuriate me. Some of you bring me to tears with your kindness. All of you are passionate about the game of college football. That is why this blog works so well. We can argue about who’s right or wrong, but there is no doubt that we all care about the game that we love.
And finally, I’m thankful for that game. With all of its flaws, and there are many, it is still an institution that brings friends and family together to celebrate a way of life. Consider this: My two best friends in the world are fraternity brothers Carl Brantley and Tom McMillen. College brought us together, but college football has kept us together some 30 years after we first met. We’re scattered all over the place but every year we make it a point to get together at the Georgia-Florida game. Those are precious weekends, regardless of the outcome of the game.
That is what college football does for us. And for that, all of us should be thankful today.
Happy Thanksgiving.
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Comments
By Mel Derrck
November 27, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
Me, too. I’m a little before your time, but Furman hired me out of Wofford College in 1954, taught me how to write, taught me even more about life. He even rehired me when I got out of the Army in 1957. Next to my father, he’s the biggest influence on my life. I’m 76 years old and retired for 11 years. Furman is 90, and still going. That tells you a bunch. Mel Derrick, retired sports typist. PS. Ask him if he remembers when he was better known as Burman Fisher.
By william cranman
November 27, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
Well said Tony. I truly enjoy your insight on college football and look forward to reading your columns whenever you have one. All the best to you.
By heeldawg
November 27, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this
I read Furman Bisher’s work when I was a college undergrad 30 years ago. It is a testament to his intellect and stamina that he can still put most sportswriters to shame at age 90.
God bless him for being an example to all of the rest of you. And God bless you, Tony, for giving credit where credit is due.
While we’re at it, on the subject of media icons, God bless Larry Munson, as well, who will be honored for his many decades of service to Georgia football this weekend. Larry is another reason to be thankful for college football.
Happy Thanksgiving!
By Ron Levine
November 27, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
Tony— This was nicely stated. I enjoy your insight on college football and look forward to reading many more of your columns whether in the AJC or in other mediums. Keep this going!! It is the best read on College football in the sourtheast. Have a good Thanksgiving!
By Robert Windham
November 27, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
Tony,
Your professionalism was again displayed in your column. I very seldom reply to blogs however in the world of slanted journalism that seems to be prevalent today, you always seem to provide a thoughtful column that is always interesting. I always enjoy that you are very unbiased and tell it like it is. We all love our teams but you seem to keep us semi-grounded in reality. I hope you and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving! The true college football fans really appreciate you!
By Pi$$onaDawg
November 27, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
Furman does with words what Norman Rockwell did with paints. Furman can make you almost taste the Hotdogs, Hamburgers, BBQ, and beer of the Tailgate Party before the game. At times when you are done reading an article if your check your clothes you will notice the GRASS STAINS on your knees from playing the game too through his writings. THWG GATA JACKETS.
By shane#1
November 27, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
Tony, thanks for Your {almost} daily musings on the sport I love. I still do not understand how One could leave the best job in the Southeast, but good luck to You anyway. As to Mr Bisher, I would rather read his columns on the Masters than any “golf expert”. No one can put You in the locker room and on the course like Bisher.
By fred
November 27, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
Thanks, Furman Bisher!
It is very important to honor those who preserve our most cherished memories—-and you, Mr.B. lead the parade.
“You gotta dance with them that brung ya.”
GOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooJackets!!! GT ‘59
By Elvis
November 27, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
Furman makes me thankful he is not another T.Moore. Bisher’s column always makes me miss Lewis and wonder what he would write. Probobly…
I’m thankful for trains that run from New Jersey to Athens.
Thankful for simple things like good music, clear days, good dogs and childrens laughs.
Thankful that UGA does not go to Jax more than once a year.
I enjoy your columns. Happy Turkey Day.
By spike
November 27, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
Well said, Tony. You put up with a lot of abuse, but you persevere and have a good attitude. There is NOTHING better than college football, and you are part of what makes it so good. I really enjoy your columns and really miss them during the off season. I’m proud your are a UGA alum. I don’t care what the other knuckleheads on here say. You are very lucky to do what you do, but you have earned it. Keep up the good work, even though we may have friendly disagreements about the sport we love. Kep the faith. UGA alum class 0f 1980.
By hardmanb
November 27, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
Every long-term college endeavor needs a “Dean”, and every profession needs at least one “Class Act”. And every activity should be guided by a Gentleman.
We have been fortunate to have Furman Bisher. Tony, you have some big shoes to fill.
By Jess
November 27, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
Mr Barnhart, wanted to give you a Roll Tide! for my support. Really appreciate your college football articles and tidbits. Great job of covering the SEC teams. You occaisionally hear someone try to put you down with the backhanded, “oh he’s Georgia fan, blah..blah) but I disagree, to read your articles on the SEC you would never know which school you graduated and that’s a great compliment. And I’ve caught the fever for the Talkin Football on CSS weekly…nice show. If you could get Tee in an away Bama jersey if we beat UF. LOL. Enjoy your Thanksgiving.
By Miles
November 27, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
Mr. Barnhart, Happy Thanksgiving!
By JDM
November 27, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
Happy Thanksgiving!
By Frank Lane
November 27, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
I am thankful for Furman also, and at this time, I also want to remember Jesse Outlar. He was somewhat of a curmudgeon in his later years, but he also was a great writer who matriculated in Athens, but never was partial.
But he did not have Bisher’s flair for words. Thanks Tony for reminding us.
Funny, I go to GA-Fla games with fraternity brothers too, but I am from GA and they are from Florida, proving that strong institutions can make friendship cross the boundaries of competition.
By SSGator
November 27, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
Well said.
I enjoy your column, as well as the responses. Not a big blogger, but I do take the time to read and be entertained.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family…
By W Dog
November 27, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
Happy Thanksgiving and keep doing what you do!!!!!
By SC Rules!!!
November 27, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
To Tony & shane#1;
A very Happy Thanksgiving too you both!!!
Fight On!! Semper Fi!!!
By SC Rules!!!
November 27, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
Shane#1;
I almost forgot to say what I’M THANKFUL FOR: My 3 kids & family, for the fact our country DIDN’T melt down because of election results whether you were for or against, for the men & women keeping our contry safe and last but certainly not least ofr the fact I’m NOT a UCLA/ND fan!!!!! Fight On!!
By VillaDawg
November 27, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
And we are all thankful for you, Tony. Your insight is awesome and yes, often correct. I really enjoy your comments on CBS as well.
Happy Thanksgiving!
By Double G
November 27, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the remembrance of Mr. Bisher. His wit, insight, and wry humor have kept me reading, and respecting, for 45 years (since I started reading the evening Journal, and morning Constitution at age 10).
The AJC has had a bevy of talented sportswriters, such as Bisher, Outlar, Jim Minter, Rod Hudspeth, Bob Hope (didn’t he write for awhile?), Grizzard, Harry Mehre, and scads of others too numerous to mention.
Today’s bunch, such as Hummer, Schultz, O’Brien, Rodgers, Bradley (methinks he’s following in your footsteps), and, yes, even T. Moore, continue to enlighten us with articles and columns.
And I hope you don’t get too far away from the paper. I was unaware of your departure. Union Point, I guess, isn’t too far away, though.
Mr. Bisher’s great. You ain’t bad, either.
By Doug
November 27, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this
Growing up in the 50s in Chattanooga my parents would take us to Harper’s Drug Store in Chattanooga for a coke before church on Sunday. My father would buy the Atlanta paper and I would grab the sports section and remember 2 things, Furman Bisher’s column and the progressive pictures of the college football game the day before.
Furman Bisher and Tony Barnhart are my 2 favorite sportswriters of alltime!
By shane#1
November 27, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this
SC Rules, Thanks, and I hope You enjoyed the day. I am thankful for the internet and blogs like this one. Without this site I would never have met You or Cuz or the Gen, War Eagle, Hunk and Alt, Zeb, Atlanta Gator, and so many others that have brightened My day. Thanks guys!
By SC Rules!!!
November 28, 2008 1:54 AM | Link to this
shane#1;
Thanks for the kind words my friend! I had a good day I hope you did too. Take care my friend and best of luck in the coming Bowl game where ever that takes you.
By Alan
November 28, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this
You are without a doubt, the best in the business Tony! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
By Ike
November 28, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this
Thanks Tony for all your work. I enjoy reading your thoughts and work. You have helped College Football grow. I recall when I was kid only getting to see one football game on a Sat. Yeah, that Keith Jackson,, now every Sat in the fall is like New Years Day with all of the games on. Thanks,, keep up the good work,, look forward to your next column.
By azcat225
November 28, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
Tony, I figured you were actually going to take the day off yesterday…
Many thanks for your blog and your eternal patience, particularly with some of the more juvenile (age and/or temperament) bloggers on here. And thank you for highlighting Mr Bisher one more time. The icons of my youth (and beyond) become fewer and fewer every year.
Belated Thanksgiving wishes to all of the thoughtful bloggers here (you know who you are).
Deeply felt thanks to all of the men and women who are in harm’s way today and every day of the year, protecting and preserving the greatest country this old planet of ours has ever known.
To steal a line from one of those aforementioned bloggers, may the best team win—-they usually do. (Mea culpa if I didn’t get it down verbatim.)
By Pago Flyer
December 7, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this
We’re very thankful the DAWGS don’t have to play the Sooners, Texas Tech, PSU, Ohio State, Boise State, Fresno State, Ball State or Buffalo!