It was 7 or 8 years ago, maybe. I walked in and no one was there, not that I could tell. There was a Heisman Trophy over to my left, and high up on the wall—he, him, The Man, shouting to his men: “Backs, run like a WILD man, like a WILD man turned a loose. Be sharp, be ready.”
Catching the five second clip in the video they had looped in the Lovelace Athletic Museum that day was the first time I’d seen Shug move, that I had heard his voice, and I wasn’t sharp or ready. The drawl, the warmth, the authority—I started crying. Who knows, I may have dropped to my knees. Laugh if you want—I’m laughing—but it’s true.
Needless to say, had this rare clip from October 6, 1973 of Shug thanking the gathered believers at the temple re-dedication been playing, I probably wouldn’t be here right now. Cardiac arrest. Rapture. Something severe. (Can’t see the video? Try here.)
I mean, dear God—”‘Fessor Hare”??? I mean, I know pronouncing just the “Fessor” was an elocutionary nick for Cliff Hare inspired by the molasses spillin’ out his own mouth, but man, there’s no way anyone could do it better than a man named Shug, i.e. Shug. And we even get a “Down through the years” in there…
I was so proud of it that I had to go ahead and use it, but when I coined “Shugasm,” this is what I was really thinking about… War Sweet Mercy Eagle. (And there are more coming.)
Video work by Allen Spain.
Related: Shug shakes his towel.
…
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* I think of Kurt Crain
* Secondhand Shug
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* The WiFi Network Names of Auburn
* Auburn’s Legend of Zelda
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* Former Nitro Girl recalls time at Auburn
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That was freakin’ AUSOME!
That was great! And the stadium isn’t even full on THE dedication gameday. Man, we have come a loooonnnng way.
War Eagle coach!
I was there … that’s all I’m sayin’
I was there too – a 9 year old boy sitting on the railing of the presentation platform with my buddies. We’d sit in the endzone waiting for Auburn to score. When they did, we’d run on the field, pat the players on the shoulder and jump back in the stands. At the end of the quarter, we’d move to the other endzone and do it again. As soon as the clock hit 0:00, every kid in the stadium jumped on the field and the players would give us their chin straps and sweat bands. Great times!
AUsome.
“…henceforth, this stadium shall be known as THE Jordan-Hare Stadium…”
Rick Neel ran for a TD after Ole Miss tied it up to win it for AU. It was John Vaught’s first game back as the Ole Miss coach to finish the 73 season.
LOVED this man!!! Could listen to him ALL day long!