He was the quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs in 1980, when the team went 12-0, and, after beating Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl, was named the consensus national champion. That would be the last time we tried anything like that, said Prince. Thats when I figured it was time to go., 3. He played four seasons in the CFL and USFL, then became a professional wrestler and the WCW heavyweight champion in 1992. I learned some things from him. I enjoyed it. [8] Belue was also inducted into the Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame in 1996.[9]. I was blessed with this great coaching. [Belue passed for a state-record 5,214 yards and won two region titles in his four Valdosta seasons. At Valdosta, you were heavily influenced by the legendary head coaches Wright Bazemore (1941-42, 1946-71) and Nick Hyder (1973-95). How did Bazemore make a quarterback out of you? But it missed its mark literally. Jun. This is the story of the Winnersville Classic, the annual showdown between Valdosta High School and Lowndes High School. After the game, Joe Wilson told me, Baker, as John Bond was running down the sideline, I came real close to sticking my foot out and tripping him, but I changed my mind.. He was drafted by the Chiefs of the NFL and the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA. In 2007, the AJC ranked Kinnebrew as the No. In the 2011 game, Lowndes was leading 17-7, and with only 1:14 remaining in the game, looked like they were on their way to their eighth straight win in the Winnersville Classic. I just think of all the people that helped me get there, as I mentioned, Coach Bazemore, Coach Hyder, Coach Wilson, Coach Rudolph. The coaches would each speak to the crowd during the banquet. Some call them Winnersville. Quarterback of Georgia's 1980 National Championship Team Captain of the 1981 SEC Champion Georgia Bulldogs Twice selected as 1 st Team All-SEC QB 4-Year Starter on the Georgia Baseball Team Twice selected as 1 st Team All-SEC Outfielder Led the SEC in hitting Honored as the SEC Athlete of the Year 1981. We had weight limits, and if you weighed a certain amount, you couldnt play in the backfield, and I was a bigger kid then. With Coach Bazemore, I just looked at him as an innovator offensively. Its great that the Lord Wedgwood Charity offered to give one to a school in my name. Im just so thankful my quarterback coach was Joe Wilson. The Cats still maintain that designation. Hes a very good coach, Belue said. Sports Illustrated said last fall . Who are some of the great players you saw from your era or before? We missed a chip-shot field goal that wouldve won the state championship for all of us. They were up 40-0 with 30 seconds left and still giving the ball to William Andrews. Between plays, we would stand there and listen to Coach Rudolph break down the responsibilities of each defensive player for the play we just ran. Heads up to Atlanta area high school quarterbacks and receivers: I'll be hosting my annual QB Passing Camp this July, again. 38. Belue is a radio talk show host in Atlanta (on 680 AM), but remains a big fan of Wildcat football. No question about it.. He was the best in the business. Buck Belue - Player Card Home >> Minor League Baseball College Baseball High School Baseball Boxscores and Analysis Other Topics Minor Leagues >> Minor League Players Minor League Teams Affiliate History Minor Leagues Minor Leagues by Season Independent Baseball Leagues Prospects Minor League Awards Minor League People Minor League Transactions What some might not know is that Belue's career as a writer began in earnest around that same time. We were in an extra bedroom, and his wife came in a couple of times and told him dinner was ready. They just burned the thing, Prince said. Belue also presented a defibrillator to the school Friday. But part of Belue's focus in writing the book was shining a light on his hometown of Valdosta, as well as some of the lesser known players on Georgia's 1980 team. We got the ball with about three or four minutes left inside our own 10 and drove down to the 1-yard line with like two seconds left. In the next three their record was 31-6; they finished No. Defensive coordinator Erk Russell. Around that same time, Prince recalled: In the mid-70s, a Lowndes student went to Cleveland Field and attached a Lowndes Vikings flag and hoisted it up to the top, but he wasnt finished. The signing will be held at the Salty Snapper, located at 1405 Gornto Road in Valdosta, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Belue will also be speaking to all in attendance, discussing details about the book starting . Seeing Andy Johnson in 1969 was one of my first recollections of high school football [at the 1969 Class 3A championship game between Athens and Valdosta at Cleveland Field]. He also added 1,487 rushing yards and . Between plays, we would stand there and listen to Coach Rudolph break down the responsibilities of each defensive player for the play we just ran. Fortunately, that didnt happen too often.. All Rights Reserved. It doesnt get better than that. "I got to work last year on it, before the football season started," Belue said. Learn how and when to remove this template message, Buck Belue profile on WCNN (AM)680 The Fan, "John Kincade, Steak Shapiro out amidst Dickey Broadcasting cuts", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Buck_Belue&oldid=1106291103, This page was last edited on 24 August 2022, at 00:05. They hear about Herschel [Walker], Coach Dooley, Erk Russell, Buck Belue, and there were just so many guys that played a big part in the championship, and it really gave me an opportunity to really brag on them, which was a real motivator, too.". Occasionally, however, things got a little out of control. Buck Belue, former Valdosta, UGA quarterback. We have estimated Buck Belue's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets. Valdosta City Schools ; J. L. Lomax Elementary School ; Pinevale Elementary School ; Sallas Mahone Elementary ; S.L. Benjamin Franklin "Buck" Belue played American football and baseball at the University of Georgia from 1978 to 1981. Simmons was considered undersized for the NFL and went in the sixth round. Who are some of the great players you saw from your era or before? We've called it home," Belue said of living in Forsyth County. I host The Buck Belue Show on 680 The Fan Atlanta, weekdays 10-11. That term remained dormant until 1981, when Johnny B. Lastinger, a Valdosta High graduate and the executive vice-president of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, decided to take advantage of the Winnersville designation. ], 6. "I had a daily planner that my dad gave me when I was at Georgia," Belue said. Lowndes won the game 15-14. She finally came in and dumped it on his lap. "Well,. Kinnebrew signed with Georgia but transferred to Tennessee State. Stan Rome was awesome, too. While Atlanta was being called Loserville by mostly state and national sports writers, Chason replied in his column that Valdosta was doing very well with the success of its local sports teams and was worthy of the title Winnersville.. Georgia was loaded with talent in 1980 there were five future NFL Draft picks on the roster, plus Hall of Fame head coach Vince Dooley and legendary defensive coordinator Erk Russell. I would soak up all this knowledge. The first time I played quarterback was in the eighth grade. In Buck's first year as quarterback the Valdosta Wildcats were 3-7. So, Joe sits down with Martin and Sonny asks him, Joe, why should I hire you? Prince said. I remember in the 1981 game, quarterback John Bond took off down the Lowndes sideline and ran for an 80-yard touchdown, Baker said. Im glad he came here and did this for us. Buck Belue famously guided Georgia's football team to a national championship 42 years ago. [Johnson scored on a 68-yard run on the final play of the first half, then threw a 28-yard TD pass and a two-point conversion in the final seconds for a 26-26 tie. What is your favorite part of The Valdosta Daily Times? Under Review. Belue devotes several chapters to his high school days pursuing state championships under coach Nick Hyder. ATHENS The Georgia Bulldogs were mad. That was the dream of every young athlete in Valdosta, and that dream didnt go much further than that. We had some tense moments during those years, but I sort of wanted a hard-to-please coach. It was the last one. We missed a chip-shot field goal that wouldve won the state championship for all of us. Belue, who lives in Forsyth County, currently hosts the Buck Belue Show on 680 The Fan. The first time was when Bazemore retired, and they hired Charlie Green. He bypassed his senior season and went to the USFL and totaled 7,046 all-purpose yards and 61 touchdowns in three years. These two Wildcat backers agree on their most memorable moment: The Comeback.. Belue will host a book signing for his new book "Inside the Hedges". When I got to Georgia, I felt I was way ahead of the curve. Wild Concerts: Park releases show schedule, EDITORIAL: Wild Adventures makes 2023 plans, Suspect arrested in Valdosta shooting death, Celebrating Ms. Jeanette: Tree planting honors Coody, Pepsi honors Stronger Together recipients. He will be inducted with Belue in October. Its a chance to give back to this place, which jump-started everything I was able to do. The Bulldogs winning a national championship last season also served as an impetus. McPhersons own performance is one of the best among the head coaches in the Classic. INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAMME . Our maintenance folks earned their pay that week.. Belue also details in the book how he balanced his baseball pursuits while competing to be the starting quarterback on a team that won back-to-back SEC championships. Plus, Buck's Beat Podcast. He has ordered it, however. Coach Wilson would be saying we can throw to this running back because weve got this linebacker on him. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Billy Henderson [Clarke Centrals coach] called three straight timeouts and iced the kicker. Copyright 2023 M & S Media Group LLC. It includes Brooks County to the west.. Valdosta is the home of Valdosta State University, a regional university in the University . Seeing Andy Johnson in 1969 was one of my first recollections of high school football [at the 1969 Class 3A championship game between Athens and Valdosta at Cleveland Field]. You get what is known as one of the greatest rivalries in all of high school football so great that its included in the Great American Rivalry Series, which recognizes the top high school football rivalries across the nation. This isn't conjecture, it's really fact. With Coach Hyder, you just couldnt imagine anyone working harder than him to be successful. The dream was to wear that Valdosta uniform and do like every other graduate that came through, and that was win a state championship, and we played Clarke Central in Athens and lost 16-14. He had everybody running the same offense so that by time you got to middle school and high school, you didnt have to learn any of it. Baker, who coached from 1976-2006, recalled showing up on Monday morning the week of the Lowndes game, year after year, to a Valdosta High campus awash in hundreds of rolls of toilet paper, and walls and windows painted with pro-Lowndes messages. We spent so many Friday nights at Cleveland Field, or Bazemore-Hyder Stadium as they call it now, watching them win big. He was the quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs in 1980, when the team went 12-0, and, after beating Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl, was named the consensus national champion. The History of the Winnersville Classic: Valdosta, Lowndes and a Community-Wide Celebration, 4 Questions With Northside Warner Robins Football Coach Chad Alligood, One-Point Wins Highlight Exciting Georgia Boys Basketball Playoffs, 4 Questions with McEachern Football Coach Kareem Reid, McCullough Triplets Ready for Next Chapter in Wrestling Careers, Baltimore Ravens WR Rashod Bateman Honored by Hometown Tifton, Trinity Catholic Celtics Find Success with Former Gators QB John Brantley, Showcase Football Events Attract High-Profile Programs, Rewind: Top 10 Florida High School Football Prospects Since 2000. Mark Lemke joins me. First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Todays interviewee is Buck Belue, sports talk show host for 680 The Fan, quarterback for Georgias 1980 national championship team, four-year starting quarterback at Valdosta, inaugural selectee into the new Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame and author of a new book, Inside The Hedges, a look at Georgias 1980 season and his athletic career. One of the key plays in the 1980 season was a 93-yard touchdown pass from Belue to wide receiver Lindsay Scott[1] It was the last one. Books can be ordered at InsideTheHedges.com or in person at one of Belues appearances. Credit: Photo by Chris McShane (provided by Buck Belue). Belue threw for 299 yards in his career, completing 37 of 68 passes with 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. He was the quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs in 1980, when the team went 12-0, and, after beating Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl, was named the consensus national champion. In 1982, Walker won the Heisman Trophy. A lot of my motivation was to brag on some players and coaches at Valdosta and at Georgia that never got the credit they deserved.. Buck Belue 0:00 0:32 The "best team ever" conversation is an interesting one. He was going to youth league programs, scouting the local talent. Rogers was among three Georgians named to the 1976 Coach & Athlete All-America team. Joe told Martin, Ill give you three reasons: One, Ill give you a winning season, which youve never had. It was not very good, Georgias home finale ends with a thud vs. Florida, Atlanta Uniteds Franco Ibarra settling into his natural role, Stetson Bennett, Darnell Washington highlight Bulldogs at NFL combine, Seeding, pride on line as Georgia Bulldogs host Florida, Timber frame office building at Ponce City Market Atlanta starts to rise, Supreme Court hearing on student loan forgiveness: What it means for Georgians. We had a Valdosta booster, Charlie Whetherington, who knew a pilot, and they flew over a Valdosta practice the week of the game against Lowndes and dumped those flyers. Then, Prince said, prior to the 1979 game, Lowndes was warming up in their traditional crimson jerseys. I knew coverage, I knew techniques, things that it seemed like these other quarterbacks didnt understand at the time. At quarterback, its about being a leader, and being a field general. A couple of students jumped in the water and secured the ship so that it would not float over to the shore.. Want to get the content before anyone else? McGuyrt also emceed the FCA banquet that was held the Thursday before the big game. I remember Buck had to go to the locker room and get another jersey. A defibrillator is a device used to treat a person who has suddenly gone into cardiac arrest, and possibly save their life. The stunning 93-yard touchdown pass from Belue to receiver Lindsay Scott with 1:03 remaining gave the Bulldogs a 26-21 victory. Mon - Fri: 7:30 - 4:30. Henderson said neighborhood residents called the police, who came over to the Valdosta fields where he and other fans were watching practice. We were in position to win the national championship and he is about to jump to our rival? He started in 78 out of 92 career games, made three Pro Bowls and was first-team All Pro once. Sandra Belue's son and his roommate, Scott, had just carved out a piece of immortality. Youve been to about 10 cities to sign your book, and youve got several more scheduled. An astounding number at the time and a record that took more than a decade to break. We would have to hire extra security guards for the entire week of the game, starting on Sunday night, and it would last all week long until the game was over, Redshaw said. And I have so many great memories of him taking time to help coach me up. ", Former Georgia quarterback and current Forsyth County resident Buck Belue, right, with Universities Forever owners Stuart Cohen, left, and Jini Lee. It was WWII. We were in an extra bedroom, and his wife came in a couple of times and told him dinner was ready. 1996 Currently, Belue co-hosts (with John Kincade) midday radio show Buck and Kincade on 680 The Fan in Atlanta, Georgia. Belue also talked to all of the players about being positive influences and representing themselves and the Valdosta Wildcats well. There were so many, but I remember Todd Peterson in the 1987 game kicking a 47-yard field goal to beat Lowndes at their place, OBrien said. And I have so many great memories of him taking time to help coach me up. On the next play, Wilkes found Sherrod Inman in the back of the end zone to cut the lead to 17-14. Belue was a star quarterback at Valdosta High School. But that was about to change. Belue credits his wife, Kelley, for kicking me in the butt to finally get it done. His daughter, Audrey -- who will attend Mississippi State as a freshman this fall -- serves as his assistant at signings and with daily logistics. Call: (916)383-0110 (510)781-4800. The current Winnersville series record stands at 36 wins for Valdosta and 24 for Lowndes heading into the 2022 season. . He spent much of the camp working with Valdostas current quarterbacks, Mike Turner and Alfrie Johnson. Belue was kidded about Valdosta falling to Clarke Central in the 1977 Class 4A state finals. Created by Ellen Kennerly Made with Squarespace, 2022 Georgia High School Football Daily. We just rolled with it and said the timing is the timing. Belue also details in the book how he. The GHSFHA "State Records Project" is an attempt to research and publish reported state records in Georgia high school football. [Rome, a 6-foot-4 tight end, set a national record for receiving yards in a season. Bazemore watched you play in youth ball and suggested to the coaches that they move you to quarterback. He set Georgias career rushing record of 6,137 yards. Valdosta is the home of Valdosta State University, a regional university in the University System of Georgia with over 12,000 students, and Valdosta High School, home to the winningest football program in the United States. No wonder Buck eyed. Thats the way it was at Valdosta. Bazemore watched you play in youth ball and suggested to the coaches that they move you to quarterback. I was wise beyond my years because of them. He hasnt given up his day job, which is to conduct a daily sports-talk show on Atlanta radio station The Fan. NewsBreak provides latest and breaking news about Buck Belue. Pass from Belue to receiver Lindsay Scott with 1:03 remaining gave the Bulldogs a 26-21 victory into 2022... At InsideTheHedges.com or in person at one of the camp working with Valdostas quarterbacks! 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