Georgia Football has long been known for its rich history and die-hard fans. On Monday evening, it was announced that one of the Georgia Bulldogs’ most prominent fans had died at the early age of 45.
Woods, also known as Big Dawg III, was part of a wealthy family tradition. His father and grandfather both had a painted Bulldog on their heads. Trent Woods took over after his father died in 2017. Trent continued the legacy and did an excellent job filling enormous shoes.
According to an AJC story, Woods had been battling with an undiagnosed health issue for weeks before his death, which shocked his family. As previously stated, the Woods family has been painting their heads for three generations. Trent’s grandfather, Lonnie Woods, the first “Big Dawg,” established the head-painting tradition when Georgia faced Notre Dame for the national title in 1981. Trent’s father, Mike Woods, as ‘Big Dawg II,’ continued the tradition until his death in 2017.
If you’ve ever attended or watched a Georgia football game, chances are you’ve seen one of the three Woods with their heads painted. It has been a part of Georgia football gameday tradition since I can remember.
It may appear foolish to those on the outside looking in, but it was a part of the many gameday rituals for Georgia fans and the Woods family. Trent Woods needed to carry on his grandfather’s and father’s legacies. This was highlighted in a College Gameday video about Tiger Woods and his family legacy.
I try not to get too personal, especially when discussing someone’s death, but the end of that clip always gets to me. “For me, Georgia football is about my grandfather and father, followed by the game. Thank God for Georgia football, because it is what I get to do with my family.”
The majority of us can connect to the quote. Georgia Football is more than just a sport or a team; it represents tradition and family. Many people do not understand this, which is fine, but if you are like me and grew up going to or watching sports with your father, uncles, grandfather, aunts, mother, and grandmother, you will understand exactly what he meant by that phrase. Hopefully, the tradition continues, and someone from the Woods family takes over.
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