"McGehee exhibits a skint nose which is a sure sign of a good blocker."
The historicalness of Kodi Burns’ jitterbug across the goal line (Nature, indeed, finds a way) for the feel-good first touchdown of the Chizik Era had TWER HQ waxing nostalgic last week for another significant six: the first (varsity) Auburn score in Jordan-Hare stadium.
Homecoming. November 30, 1939.
Auburn. Florida.
Babe McGehee, whose Sigma Nu fraternity brothers described that year as playing “football when he can escape from feminine admirers,” and who later married the daughter of Cliff “as in The” Hare, for whom then Auburn Stadium was later renamed, out-jumped two Gator defenders to catch a “looping” pass from Dick McGowen for Auburn’s first and only touchdown. McGowen’s extra point tied the game. It stayed tied.*
Three days later, Hoyt Jolly, an old Auburn chum of McGehee’s, picked up a newspaper, spotted his friend’s name in the Sports section, and wrote him a letter congratulating him on the achievement.
Sixty–nine years I acquired it through the magic of eBay.
It’s rather awesome, political incorrectness aside.
Dec. 3, 1939. "Dear Babe..."
* “Homecoming and Stadium Dedication Day was rather spoiled by a typical Florida trick of upsetting the dope bucket,” reads the 1940 Glomerata. “The Gators tied this one, 7-7 and advertised their oranges at the half.”
That is awesome! Thank you for sharing that. Not really that non-PC considering the times in which it was written. I’m somewhat shocked at how it pretty much sounds like a regular e-mail I would get or send to my friends. I was expecting a bunch of “chip, chip cheerio my dear chap” kind of stuff. I guess it really is true, the more things change the more they stay the same. War Eagle!
Babe McGehee was my Dad. He passed away in Oct. 2005. My Mom, Suzelle Hare McGehee, passed away in Oct. 2003. The stadium was named after her father, Cliff Hare (Dean of Chemistry School; played on first AU team; head of Southern Conference (predecessor to both SEC and ACC).
I cannot tell you how much it moves me to see this letter. Dad used to tell me stories about his old friend, Hoyt Jolley. To see a handwritten letter from him to Dad makes me feel like he is still here with us. You have made my day. I will share this with my five siblings (5 of 6 are Auburn Alums; the oldest went to several Ivies and overseas.
Strangely enough, the surviving members of the 1939 team recreated the play at halftime of the AU/FL game in 1989, exactly 50 years to the DAY from Dad’s touchdown. Auburn went on to win the 1989 game on a last play touchdown pass to Shane Wasden. Dad told us after the game that Wasden caught his pass in the EXACT spot where Dad had caught his, 50 years earlier!
I was recently diagnosed with ALS, so this has really brightened my day.
WAR EAGLE!!!
great post.
Awesome post.
Thank you, Rob, for all that you and yours have done for my alma mater.