DEL.ICIO.USGeorgia players’ families get in on the action
Family members support each other during good plays and bad at games
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Sitting near the family members of Georgia’s football players is always an adventure at home games.
When Knowshown Moreno made his now-legendary leap against Central Michigan, two middle-aged men wearing No. 24 jerseys couldn’t watch the next few plays because there were so many well-wishers lined up to exchange high-fives.
Michael Carvell / mcarvell@ajc.com
Milton Brown (left with Moreno’s name on jersey) and Luis Lugo, Knowshown Moreno’s uncles, celebrate during Georgia’s game against Central Michigan.
The two hardcore Moreno fans were Milton Brown and Luis Lugo, both uncles of the star tailback.
“I really enjoy sitting among the player’s families,” Brown said. “They are always supportive of each other, especially on good plays and even on the not-so-good ones.”
Such is life in Section 331 of Sanford Stadium, perched high in the upper deck along the 50-yard line.
The families of Georgia players, which are provided four courtesy tickets each game, have formed a tight-knit group after gathering together in the concrete rows for years. They will gather again for Saturday’s game against Alabama.
“I feel like [fullback Brannon Southerland’s family] is part of my family,” said Pam Harris, mother of wide receiver Kenneth Harris.
“We’ve become such good friends from all the games. I always look forward to seeing them, and cheering on our boys together.”
Section 331 is unlike any other area in the stadium. Just as the mothers, fathers and other relatives celebrate longer for good plays, they also react differently to negative ones.
“The whole place may be booing after a mistake, but you won’t hear any of that booing among us,” said Greg Allen, father of defensive back Asher Allen. “I’ve never heard any of the parents say anything negative about another player during the games.
“You might be thinking something like ‘I wish he would’ve made that tackle’ or ‘that turnover really hurts,’ but you don’t [vocalize it] because you know next time it could be your kid.”
However, there have been plenty of tense moments. The family section is surrounded by seats belonging to season-ticket holders. They have been known to yell out things without realizing that particular player’s parents were only a few feet away.
“I think it was last year when someone was talking real loud about ‘how people from South Carolina weren’t that smart,’” recalled Valerie Covington, mother of linebacker Dannell Ellerbe.
“Well, my family is from Cheraw, S.C., and I didn’t like those comments. I turned around and said ‘Dannell is smart. He is making As and Bs in college, and has been on the Honor Roll for almost his entire life.’”
Covington said the accuser was stunned to realize Dannell, one of his favorite players, was her son and apologized.
At a more recent game, the elder Allen said an unruly fan was very critical of Georgia’s defense after the opposing team scored. Allen said before any of the parents could respond, another fan spoke up.
“He told that other guy if he thought he could do any better than our players, then he ought to put a Georgia fan uniform to see how he would do. That other guy didn’t say much the rest of the game.”
Georgia’s family section can be difficult to pick out among a sea of red-and-black clad supporters. Quarterback Matthew Stafford claims he still has no idea where his parents sit, despite his third year of playing for the Bulldogs. Allen, also a junior, said he only knows about the location of the seats because of special circumstances.
“It’s because I always can hear my mother yelling over everyone in the stadium,” Allen said with a laugh.
How does someone figure out if they are near family members? The easiest giveaways are circular pins worn by the parents, which have their son’s photo and jersey number on it.
Wearing a jersey isn’t a tip, because thousands of fans wear the same during games. However, seeing several people next to each other along the same row donning No. 24 shirts may be a sign of something.
“When we wear 24, people always want to know if [Brown] or me are Knowshown’s father,” Lugo said. “One even asked for my autograph, but they asked me to sign Knowshown’s name.
“I told them ‘You know I can’t do that. Wait for him after the game, and he’ll be happy to sign anything for you.’” I thought it was kind of funny.”
“You just never what to expect.”
