What do you get when you mix
three iconic sports symbols into one event?
First, think of
the raucous pride on Saturdays in Sanford Stadium, as the Bulldogs churn up the
turf “between the hedges.”
Balance that
with the hushed reverence of the Masters, as golfing greats putt on the fabled
greens of the Augusta National.
Now, hang the five
Olympic rings over that mental picture.
But
wait.
Imagine
this legendary lineup of speakers: Georgia’s winningest football coach ever,
Vince Dooley; Jack Nicklaus, owner of six Masters green jackets; Kirby Smart,
UGA’s coaching sensation; Jim Nantz, CBS sports commentator with a honey-glazed
voice; former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young; and former Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice, just to name a few.
The
only word that comes close to describing this four-hour assemblage is “magic.”
And what was the common denominator to create this magical aura? The answer is Billy Payne and his late
father, Porter, for whom the jaw-dropping $30 million UGA indoor athletic
facility has been named.
The naming
rights came from friends, who opened their wallets to honor their friend. But Billy, being Billy, insisted the signage must
include another Bulldog, his father, Porter.
Monday night, among
the legion of well-wishers were two of Porter Payne’s teammates from the 1940s:
Bill Bradshaw and 96-year-old Charley Trippi.
Many of Billy’s teammates were there, too, as were members of the
Augusta National, where Billy served as chairman for 11 years. The rest of us were there to add our support
and applause. Such is the affection for
the Payne family.
If you are
around Billy much, you’ll learn he dated just one co-ed while in Athens. Next month, he and the former Martha Beard of
Moultrie will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. And if you ask him about his career, he might mention his college football
stardom or his vision and leadership to bring the Centennial Olympics to
Georgia or his chairmanship of the most famous golf club in the world. That’s a
maybe. But for certain, you’ll hear about his
family, especially his and Martha’s 11 grandchildren.
As
students, Billy and I met at the University of Georgia.
Just
after returning from Tokyo—with the winning Olympic bid—Billy and I watched
Georgia beat Alabama. Walking out of
Sanford Stadium, I knew the moment was right to ask: “Billy, would you come to
Jesup and tell the Olympic story at our chamber of commerce banquet?” He was
too happy to say no.
A
few years later, I got a call from Billy: “Don’t
you want to run the torch?” I had
been so busy chairing the Athens 96 committee that I hadn’t thought about it,
but Billy had. When the world arrived in
Atlanta, Billy invited Pam and me to serve as presidential ambassadors. In our royal blue blazers, we watched
Muhammed Ali light the opening-ceremony torch.
And when a pipe bomb exploded in our mailbox—during the Olympics—Billy
was the first to call to check on us.
I
wasn’t surprised when Billy was asked to lead the Augusta National. He’s a natural to make everything he
touches—including the near-perfect Masters—better. Soon after his appointment,
I said, “We’ve been friends for a long time, but you can relax. I won’t ever ask to play the course.” He laughed and said, “Well, you’ll probably be
the only one who won’t.”
Billy
Payne has packed his 70 years with incredible accomplishments, but he always
gives credit to those who inspire him. During the magical evening, he paid
tribute to five of his heroes: former Mayor Andrew Young, who helped promote
Atlanta around the globe; banker Hugh McColl; Coach Vince Dooley; his father,
Porter; and his wife, Martha.
Blessed
beyond measure, Billy Payne is humble, knowing life’s true treasures are family and friends.
dnesmith@cninewspapers.com
