Georgia is the top ranked football team in the country, heading toward another exciting high-profile, high-powered season.

Georgia Tech is improving and there is football optimism at Georgia State, Georgia Southern and Kennesaw State.

Almost a century ago, Atlanta’s Oglethorpe University was at the top of any college gridiron discussion in the Southeast.

The Stormy Petrels were the toughest guys in the state.

It was an era when Oglethorpe handed the Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets losses in Athens and Atlanta.

“Cy Bell is the greatest running back in the country," wrote sports columnist extraordinaire O.B. Keeler of the Atlanta Journ

“Cy Bell is the greatest running back in the country," wrote sports columnist extraordinaire O.B. Keeler of the Atlanta Journal in 1929.

“Cy Bell is the greatest running back in the country," wrote sports columnist extraordinaire O.B. Keeler of the Atlanta Journal in 1929.

“Dad was fast, 5’11, 205 pounds; big for the era,” adds Jack Bell (now 84 years old) from his Gainesville law office in Hall County.

Cy Bell - the elusive, high stepping star of a running back - led the Stormy Petrels to stunning success at Oglethorpe between 1926 and 1929. (A portion of the stadium remains next to Peachtree Road near Costco and Publix, today.)

The small liberal arts university named after the British Army officer, Tory politician and founder of the Province of Georgia, James Oglethorpe, defeated Georgia Tech before a sold out Grant Field and beat the University of Georgia, inside old Sanford Field.

The big schools were directed by legendary head coaches: William Alexander in Atlanta, Harry Mehre in Athens.

I asked Mr. Bell’s son if anyone inquires about his late father’s Atlanta football prowess almost 100 years after the fact.

“No, not really,” replied Bell, himself a former Bulldog football player (OL) for the 1960 Georgia team that played in Miami’s Orange Bowl. “it’s been a century since Dad was in a uniform.”

“Dad died in 1952, and suffered greatly with leukemia,” he continued. “I was 11. It was such a loss.”

Cy Bell died at 48.

Sports legends are like sunflowers in retirement. They grow tall and reach toward the sky with water, sunshine, and loving attention.

Great athletes amplify, embellish their accomplishments through sportswriters, speaking engagements, public appearances, aided by the strength of their alma mater’s football program.

Oglethorpe last played football in 1941.

Cy Bell's son Jack (pictured here) is a former Bulldog football player (OL) for the 1960 Georgia team that played in Miami’s

Cy Bell's son Jack (pictured here) is a former Bulldog football player (OL) for the 1960 Georgia team that played in Miami’s Orange Bowl.

The Atlanta legend of Cy Bell is lost in time, but very much alive with his son, now in his ninth decade of life, and still practicing law every day in his downtown Gainesville office.

On Sept. 25, 1926, Oglethorpe and Georgia Tech were scoreless at Grant Field when the "giant killer" Bell ran 42 yards for the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter. It remains the Yellow Jackets’ last loss to an in-state team other than Georgia.

On Sept. 28, 1929, the Petrels played Georgia at the old Sanford Field in the Bulldogs’ final game at the facility. The score was tied 7-7 late into the fourth quarter when Mr. Bell scampered 64 yards for the game-winning touchdown in a 13-7 victory. It remains the Bulldogs’ last loss to an in-state team other than Georgia Tech.

“Dad attended Oglethorpe with MLB Hall of Famer (former Babe Ruth roommate), Luke Appling," added Jack Bell. "And dad played golf with Bobby Jones.”

After Oglethorpe, Cy Bell was an influential man during World War II. He was placed in charge of rationing tires, gas, and sugar for Hall County.

All local Northeast Georgia roads led through Cy Bell.

After the war, the former football star worked as an appliance salesman in Hall County, selling washers and dryers in Gainesville. He also coached youth football.

Married to Lillian Milledge, the couple had two sons, Jack and the late Milledge. Mrs. Bell never remarried, and died in 1994.

Their remaining son paused, adding: “America was different then. Sports wasn’t a big business. It was important, but smaller.”

These days his Oglethorpe athlete father is celebrated each football season in Gainesville. The high school coaches hand out the Cy Bell Award to the best running back.

After all, Cy Bell is forever, the running back who vanquished Georgia and Georgia Tech in the same season.

Go Stormy Petrels!

Almost a century ago, Atlanta’s Oglethorpe was at the top of any college gridiron discussion in the southeast.

Almost a century ago, Atlanta’s Oglethorpe was at the top of any college gridiron discussion in the southeast.