FOTOBALL: all about the fans

When it boils down to it, the game is all about the fans that love it. I've shot many fan events, but when it comes to game time I often forget to pry my eyes from the field to pay attention to the 90,000+ fans that pack Sanford Stadium Saturdays in the fall. It is a surreal feeling when I do take the time to look around at the sea of people. The highs and lows of the game can be read on their faces and the cheers can be so deafening that I feel the vibrations to my core. It is because they love the game so much that I am there on those sidelines. It is because of the fans that the players are standing on that field doing what they love. It really is all about the fans, as annoying as they are when I'm waiting behind 90,000 of them in traffic.


Georgia football player Chris Davis hands a signed football to fan Brad Davis of Powder Springs Saturday August 18 at the UGA Fans' Picture Day Aug. 18, 2007, at Sanford Stadium.


Fans wait to get autographs and pictures from the Georgia quarterbacks Saturday August 18 at the UGA Fans' Picture Day Aug. 18, 2007, at Sanford Stadium.


From left Josh Lovell, Jordan Lovell, and Curtis Bagwell of Tennessee hold their hand-crafted UGA belts while getting a picture taken Jordan Lovell.


Keyleum Bezk of Oglethorpe gets a shirt signed by Georgia football player Brian Mimbs Saturday August 18 at the UGA Fans' Picture Day at Sanford Stadium.


Fans in the student section cheer before Georgia Bulldogs' game against the Oklahoma Cowboys Saturday September 1, 2007 at Sanford Stadium in Athens.


University of Georgia senior Jesse Ammons cheers before the Bulldogs' game against the Auburn Tigers Saturday at Sanford Stadium.


Knowshon Moreno hops up with Georgia fans after the Bulldogs' 41-10 win over the Hawaii Warriors in the Allstate Sugar Bowl Tuesday Jan. 1, 2008, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, LA.


Former Georgia football player David Greene of the Kansas City Chiefs signs a picture for Trey Keeney, 10, of Raleigh, NC, Saturday at the annual Countdown to Kickoff event at Woodruff Plaza.


Jason Carmichael, left, fans former Georgia football player Brandon Miller as he signs autographs during the annual Countdown to Kickoff even Saturday at Woodruff Plaza.


Kyle O'Dell of Commerce hands his football to be signed by Georgia running backs during Picture Day Saturday Aug. 16, 2008, at Sanford Stadium.


Georgia quarterback Logan Gray signs the cast of Joe Adams, 12, of Buford, Saturday at the annual University of Georgia Picture Day at Sanford Stadium.


Fans painted black for the Georgia Blackout cheer before the Bulldogs' game against Auburn Saturday November 10, 2007 at Sanford Stadium.


A young Georgia fan watches warm-ups over the hedge at Georgia's G-Day scrimmage Saturday at Sanford Stadium.


Michael Tenney of Barnesville looks in a Bulldog shaped mirror made by Picture it Mirror in Carrollton Saturday at the University of Georgia's annual Picture Day at Sanford Stadium.


A group of boys look out at the football field while waiting in line to meet Georgia running backs at the annual Picture Day event Saturday Aug. 16, 2008, at Sanford Stadium.


Georgia's Rennie Curran, center, high-fives a fan during the tradional Dog Walk into Sanford Stadium Saturday, August 30, 2008.


Georgia's Israel Troupe shakes hands with fans after the Bulldogs' beat South Carolina 14-7 Saturday Sept. 13, 2008, in Columbia, SC.


The Georgia Bulldogs beat the LSU Tigers 52-38 Saturday, October 25, 2008, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA.


University of Georgia students Jeff Wallace, left, paints the face of Casey Payne as the two get ready for the #3 Georgia Bulldogs' SEC match-up with #8 Alabama Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008, at Sanford Stadium.


A young Georgia fan dressed as a cheerleader looks very serious before the start of the #10 Bulldogs SEC 24-14 win over the #22 Vanderbilt Commodores Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008, at Sanford Stadium.


Georgia fans Justin Howe, left, and Jason Horne take photos of Uga VI before the Georgia G-Day scrimmage Saturday afternoon at Sanford Stadium.


Georgia's Nick Williams shakes hands with fans before the #13 Georgia Bulldogs 42-38 win over the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday, November 8, 2008, at the Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, KY.