Smith: Erk Russell tribute planned for Letterman’s Club at UGA

  • Erk Russell was Georgia football's defensive coordinator for 17 years and helped start the football program at Georgia Southern. (Photo Courtesy of the UGA Hargrett Library)
    Erk Russell was Georgia football's defensive coordinator for 17 years and helped start the football program at Georgia Southern. (Photo Courtesy of the UGA Hargrett Library)
  • Loran Smith/File Photo
    Loran Smith/File Photo

    As another football season is about to get underway, I thought about all the lustful and enduring praise for offensive football, which has always been the talk of the town. I recalled how the late Erk Russell joined in, too, but underneath, he was plotting and scheming for an equalizer.

    Erk was a fine teacher and coach with rare and extraordinary leadership skills. Hundreds of football players acro…