FOX 5 anchors cheer on the Dawgs
Atlanta is home to several colleges and universities, but it comes as no surprise that a huge population of the Atlanta Metro is made up of Dawgs fans and alumni, and our own David Chandley, Joanne Feldman, and Katie Beasley are counted among them.
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FOX 5 Storm Team Chief Meteorologist David Chandley not only attended the University of Georgia for four years, but he was also a student trainer for the Georgia Bulldogs football team.
"You know, the guy that tapes all the ankles and tapes the wrists," explained David.
David was attending UGA and working with the football team during the "glory years" when the Bulldogs were named national champions in 1980. He even has the ring to prove it!
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"Those guys were my brothers, my family" shared David. "I ate with them, I traveled with them, I roomed with them, and we won the national championship as you know in 1980."
He also comes from a "family of Dawgs"—both of his parents, wife, and daughters are all Bulldogs fans. He got to spend the Rose Bowl with his daughter, Leah, who is a graduate assistant trainer at UGA. "It was an unbelievable experience, an epic ballgame; just being at the Rose Bowl with all of those Georgia fans and coming out with a win."
David said he is looking forward to Monday night's game. "I think we've got a good shot against the Alabama Crimson Tide. We're excited in Dawg Nation. We're excited where the program is headed. I think we're going to be a factor in years to come."
FOX 5 Storm Team Meteorologist and Good Day Atlanta cast member Joanne Feldman is also ecstatic about Georgia's appearance in the National Championship Game.
"What a great time to be a Bulldog fan," Joanne reflected.
The University of Georgia holds a special place in Joanne's heart, as she met her husband there when they were both students there in Athens.
"We have lots of fond memories of Georgia game days," she recalled. While the team then wasn't as it is now, she noted, she also said that never deterred them. "We have always been faithful Bulldogs fans, regardless."
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"This has been a long time coming," she observed of this season. "This is something that Bulldog fans have been dreaming of for a very long time."
Not only is this an exciting time for Joanne and her husband but for another member of the family as well.
"Our son is now a junior at UGA. We always thought it was pretty cool that he was going to the same school that we did and experiencing a lot of the same things," she said with pride.
She added, somewhat jokingly, "I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little jealous that he gets to be there with this Georgia football team."
"The Georgia Bulldogs are going to the National Championship Game!" said Good Day Atlanta anchor and SKYFOX Traffic reporter Katie Beasley with excitement. "I think I'm still in shock a little bit."
Another FOX 5 Atlanta Georgia alumni and die-hard Georgia fan, Katie has really enjoyed this football season.
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"I knew all season long that there was something special about this team and the way these guys played and came together and came from behind so many times this season," Katie remembered with admiration.
"Under Coach Smart, it has been a really interesting two seasons, so exciting to watch," she wondered with amazement. "I feel like I'm back in college and right in the mix of it all."
"It's been a really, really special season."
Indeed, it has. Even Max is getting in on the action!
FOX 5's Claire Simms is no stranger to the Bulldog Nation. In addition to being an alum, she also had the privallage to cover the Dawgs. And even met her husband there.
We wish the Georgia Bulldogs the best of luck in the National Championship Game on Monday. Let's bring one home for our state!