ATHENS, Ga. - Thousands of people packed Sanford Stadium in Athens ready to cheer on the Georgia Bulldogs football team. The sold out event was the last organized celebration for the champion team after finishing a perfect record season with a big win.
The Dawgs beat the TCU Horned Frogs Monday in the 2023 National Championship game with a landslide victory in Los Angeles. Fans, coaches, staff and family filled the stadium with excitement for the newly crowned kings of college football.
It began with a parade through the University of Georgia campus, leading up to the stadium.
Here's what the ceremony looked like:
ATHENS, GA - January 14: Georgia Bulldogs fans turn their backs towards the ceremony to spell "Mailman", referencing quarterback Stetson Bennett during the University of Georgia Football Celebration Trophy Ceremony celebrating Georgia's 2023 National Championship on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. (Photo by Austin McAfee) From: FOX 5 Atlanta ATHENS, GA - January 14: Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart talks to fans and supporters during the University of Georgia Football Celebration Trophy Ceremony celebrating Georgia's 2023 National Championship on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. (Photo by Austin McAfee) From: FOX 5 Atlanta ATHENS, GA - January 14: SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey talks to Georgia Bulldogs fans and supporters during the University of Georgia Football Celebration Trophy Ceremony celebrating Georgia's 2023 National Championship on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. (Photo by Austin McAfee) From: FOX 5 Atlanta ATHENS, GA - January 14: Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett (right) acknowledges the fans before speaking during the University of Georgia Football Celebration Trophy Ceremony celebrating Georgia's 2023 National Championship on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. (Photo by Austin McAfee) From: FOX 5 Atlanta ATHENS, GA - January 14: Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett looks at the fans during the University of Georgia Football Celebration Trophy Ceremony celebrating Georgia's 2023 National Championship on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. (Photo by Austin McAfee) From: FOX 5 Atlanta ATHENS, GA - January 14: Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart holds AFCA crystal football trophy during the University of Georgia Football Celebration Trophy Ceremony celebrating Georgia's 2023 National Championship on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. (Photo by Austin McAfee) From: FOX 5 Atlanta ATHENS, GA - January 14: Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart holds the College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy during the University of Georgia Football Celebration Trophy Ceremony celebrating Georgia's 2023 National Championship on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. (Photo by Austin McAfee) From: FOX 5 Atlanta