Loran Smith

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)

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

Loran Smith
Thursday, August 8, 2024
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.
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: The Chatsworth Cheetah, Ladd McConkey

Loran Smith
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
After a brief respite in the hills of Northwest Georgia, the Chatsworth Cheetah—a most appropriate byname for Ladd McConkey—has returned to Los Angeles with his sights set on continuing his football career with the Chargers.
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: Castronis turns 100

Loran Smith
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Orlean Castronis is a retired former journalist, the widow of one of the most popular players and coaches ever to wear the Red and Black, and likely the only living person to have seen Harry Mehre coach a game live between the hedges of Georgia’s Sanford Stadium.
Loran Smith/Staff

Loran Smith/Staff

Smith: Georgia T&F coach Caryl Smith Gilbert

Loran Smith
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Caryl Smith-Gilbert is the director of the men’s and women’s track teams at the University of Georgia; if you yawn and move on about your day, be aware that track in these parts is likely to be sensational on her watch ¬– just give her competitive facilities, and you’ll see.
Loran Smith/Staff

Loran Smith/Staff

Smith: Summer sports satisfy in Europe

Loran Smith
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
The fortnight it takes to determine the various champions of Wimbledon, one of the classiest sporting events worldwide, is likely on every true sports aficionado’s bucket list. Wimbledon is the equal of the Masters golf tournament and the Kentucky Derby in class.
Loran Smith/Staff

Loran Smith/Staff

Smith: Willie Mays

Loran Smith
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
The tributes to Willie Mays last week were bittersweet. Of course, he deserved all the lofty praise, but there was the regret of him having to endure the segregation, dissent, and humiliation of his native South, growing up in Westfield, Ala., nine miles west of Birmingham.
Loran Smith/Staff

Loran Smith/Staff

Smith: Chick and ‘Teddy Ballgame’

Loran Smith
Thursday, June 27, 2024
There was a teenage rookie outfielder for the San Diego Padres in the summer of 1936 who was fidgety, restless, and blatantly anxious to experience more playing time in the outfield. He was “champing at the bit” to play every day.
Loran Smith/Columnist

Loran Smith/Columnist

Smith: Charlie Condon

Loran Smith
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
A few weeks ago, the Arizona Diamondbacks hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers in Phoenix. This allowed me to see Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani play at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks chose to pitch to him.The Diamondbacks chose to pitch to him.
Loran Smith/Columnist

Loran Smith/Columnist

Smith: Archie Manning at 75 years old

Loran Smith
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Last week, I called Archie Manning with a routine request that led to an informal conversation that typically occurs a few times each year. There is a lot of humor when we talk.There is a lot of humor when we talk. There is no profanity, no mean-spirited gossip.
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