Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key and Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart had a lengthy embrace following Georgia’s epic 44-42 win over Georgia Tech in eight overtimes.
The loss was heartbreaking for Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets never trailed in regulation and held a 17-0 lead at halftime. Georgia Tech had multiple chances to win in overtime, but were unable to finish their upset bid.
So what did Kirby Smart and Brent Key say to each other during their hug?
“I’ll just keep it between he and I,” Smart said on their embrace. “We’re both competitors. We have respect for each other. We played here in the same area, we played against each other, we recruited against each other. We don’t get to share thoughts and ideas and have break bread and have tea very often.”
Smart played college football at Georgia and Key played college football at Georgia Tech, so the rivalry is in their blood.
“So when we get a chance to talk and show respect to each other, I think being competitors, it’s a hard game, and nobody knows what it’s like to sit on that sideline and go through that pain and the highs, the lows, we’re going to win, we’re going to lose, we’re going to win, we’re going to lose. I mean, he was emotionally spent, and so was I,” said Smart.
There’s no doubt that both Georgia and Georgia Tech had a ton of plays where they could’ve won the game in overtime. Ultimately, Georgia running back Nate Frazier had a game-winning two-point conversion to the jubilation of UGA fans.
“We probably know what each other goes through for our fan bases better than anybody. Nobody else has been in those shoes and had to deal with that and do that,” continued Smart. “He’s done a tremendous job turning that program around.”
Smart has a lot of respect for Brent Key and Georgia Tech. The Georgia-Georgia Tech rivalry used to be a cakewalk for Georgia, but the times have changed under Key.
Smart clearly has empathy for Key. “What do you think? Yeah. Probably in my career, my life,” said Key on if the Georgia loss is the toughest one he’s ever experienced.
“It’s tough. I love that team in there. They fought their asses off. There’s no moral victories,” said Key. “But I’m proud of those guys. And we’ll use this to continue to fuel us, to continue to improve in all areas of the program. Georgia Tech’s special, these kids are special.”
Georgia Tech has a lot to be proud of, but they’ll be having nightmares about this loss to Georgia for a long time.
