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in spite of all the problems and challenges, there are many deserving kids who are interested in the game and want an education.
“When I was at Carver High School here in Columbus where we didn’t win more than 10 games in four years and then saw Georgia who went from a 6-5 season in 1979 to the national championship in 1980 was almost too good to be true.”
An interesting circumstance took place during practice for the 1984 Cotton Bowl in Dallas when the Bulldogs pulled off that memorable 10-9 upset of Texas. It was bitterly cold much of the trip for this game. “When someone complained about the weather, Coach Bill Lewis scolded us and said, ‘Be quiet. You could be in Green Bay.’ Just a few weeks later, I was drafted by the Packers. I learned to adjust to the weather. There were a lot of Southern boys who played for the Packers and they seemed to manage. Playing in Green Bay was a terrific experience. They won a lot of championships and there was an attitude that if you come to Green, the community will support the team and that that the winning tradition with the Packers is something that they don’t take for granted.”
Darryl found a similar fan base in Green Bay that he was accustomed to when he was playing for the Bulldogs. “The entire state, same as it is in Georgia, is interested in and is supportive of the team. I have always felt that was the way it was in the state of Georgia with the Bulldogs.
“With Green Bay, it doesn’t matter the weather, the fans can’t wait to go to the stadium, no matter how cold it is. They don’t mind the snow and the wind chill, they just loved their football like nobody else.”
Tradition is something DJ appreciates; he honors the work ethic and is motivated to find ways to underscore promotions and programs that help high school kids. The leadership principles he learned at Georgia are part of the objective to host banquets and promote scholarship objectives for the high school teams he covers in the Columbus area.
When he talks to high school kids about winning championships, he points out that the ingredients of a successful program start with team loyalty, hard work, and leadership. “And selflessness,” he interjects. “That was one of the things that meant so much to our 1980 team was that we had a special togetherness that brought results. We literally didn’t care who got the headlines, we were interested in complementing each other on the field.”
Darryl has often pointed to the remarkable display of sportsmanship and altruism that came with the attitude of his teammate Herschel Walker. He gave of himself to his teammates and never wanted to be the center of attention. “Herschel was always paying tribute to his linemen,” Darryl says. “Because he was so unselfish, his linemen would literally run through a brick wall for him.
“There were other players who were just like him, like Nat Hudson, Frank Ross, Terry Hoage, and Scott Woerner.”
He points out that the members of this team have kept in touch with each other like no other team in Georgia history. Ross, the captain, has kept in touch with all team members and is constantly organizing reunions and get-togethers.
“We are getting long in the tooth,” Darryl says, “but we still enjoy finding time for reunions so we can relive and sort the great memories that we have. There are many times when I am riding to Athens for a game, I recall the big games and highlights of that season. And then I think about how nice it would be if every player could enjoy that experience.
“And you know, some player on the high school level this year will have that experience. They will be able to succeed at a high level and enjoy memories like we had in 1980. It was unforgettable.”
The sense of community was a theme of that team, and now one of its most accomplished players is making a difference in Columbus and Muscogee County.
