Dawgs will honor 1980 championship team with throwback “Red Britches” uniforms

ATHENS, Ga. — The No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs are back as they begin their 2020 season on the road against Arkansas on Saturday. But it’s not the only thing returning to the field this weekend.

The Dawgs will sport throwback “Red Britches" uniforms to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1980 UGA National Championship team.

Forty years ago, UGA finished an undefeated 12-0 season led by freshman running back Herschel Walker and claimed the national title with a win over Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl.

Chuck Dowdle sat down with head coach Kirby Smart for WSB-TV’s “Bulldogs Game Day" about how the idea came together. Smart said that the team’s uniform partner Nike came up with the concept.

“I was looking to do something special and didn’t have a great idea. It just so happened when I was speaking to Nike. They were like ‘Well, you got the 40th anniversary coming up of the national championship team. So let’s do something to honor them.’”

“It originally started as a patch, but it became what can we do to honor them in a more traditional way. Those uniforms were very traditional and started a long time ago."

WATCH Bulldogs Gameday every Saturday at 11 a.m. on Channel 2 as we break down what to expect this season from the Dawgs.

UGA will still sport the 40th anniversary patches on all their uniforms this season. The team also teased an alternate Black jerseys although it’s unknown when the players will wear them.

RELATED: Georgia’s last National Championship: 1981 Sugar Bowl vs. Notre Dame

1981 Sugar Bowl: Georgia defeats Notre Dame to win National Championship Courtesy of Athletic Department Collections, University of Georgia Libraries

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