University of Georgia Athletics
Johnny B. Lastinger a Famous Dawg
June 02, 2015 | Football
Early on, the late John Beechwood Lastinger became known by his friends as Johnnie B. As time went by, his handle enabled everybody to distinguish him from his older son, John, who would become quarterback of one of the biggest upsets of the Vince Dooley era.
His second son, Brad, became a football letterman as a manager and settled in Athens. Any father is proud of his sons, but there was good reason for Johnny B. to be especially proud of his. They were not going to achieve NFL stardom, but they would contribute to the team's esprit de corps, provide leadership for the Bulldogs, always bringing home good grades and leaving campus with abundant friendships and good feelings. You knew that John and Brad would be good citizens and community contributors. And not coincidentally, "Damn Good Dawgs."
Over the years, I had countless conversations with Johnny B., bumping into him when he was in Athens to see his boys or for a game after they had graduated. Can't remember a time when I was in Valdosta that I didn't call to say hello to him and his charming wife, Lamb. He often brought up a name from the past or a play or circumstance which reflected that he was a man with a historical bent, one who had filed away in his memory bits of lore and humor which made him something of an unofficial historian.
In 1997, he, with a friend, developed a local magazine which they named Valdosta Magazine. It became a very popular publication in Valdosta. It contained interesting and fun information because of Johnny B.'s feelings for his hometown. He was always promoting the best interests of his community, but the thing that he underscored to everyone's delight was "looking back" features with the ole timers, harking back to the past whenever something of significance took place in his hometown. He had affection for any native or resident achieving anything noteworthy. He would have a story written about them. He was always searching for photos from the past which would brighten his readers' day.
As it is with every small town, Valdosta, while not a "Metroplex," was a center of business and commercial activity which made it a business hub of Southwest Georgia where agribusiness and the timber industry made it a viable and vibrant community.
Golf was big in Valdosta which happened to evolve into a nice college town. Valdosta State provides opportunity for a lot of kids in our state. Johnny B., while a life-long Bulldog, was proud of Valdosta State and promoted the college and his community with the greatest of pride. He was a premier advocate of the Valdosta Wildcats. Johnny B. was there for the glorious moments of the Wildcats in their heyday when they were winning National Championships and Wright Bazemore was the winningest coach in the state.
Johnny B. was attracted to the ole timers who were colorful characters like Red Bullock, who was my high school coach. Red was a seasoned raconteur and Johnny B. remembered watching Red play football. One day, he called and asked for a profile on Red to run in his magazine. I was honored and proud to contribute to his fine publication. Johnny B.'s sensitivity to the past made him a much appreciated publisher in Valdosta. He, too, was a seasoned raconteur. Not as colorful as the characters he wrote about--in the sense that while he didn't spin yarns like the aforementioned Bullock--he got your attention with knowledge and recall that enabled him to become the most interesting of low-key conversationalists in town. Johnny B. knew his stuff.
You never saw him irritated or expressing anger. He made friends, not enemies. He was insightful and was all about family, community and the Bulldogs.
Every Bulldog, including those in his family, will long remember his son John's performance in the Cotton Bowl Jan. 2, 1984. With time running out, the Bulldogs forced a fumble on a punt at the Texas 23 yard line. The Longhorns were leading 9-3.
On third down, John took the snap from center and raced 17 yards to the flag for a touchdown. Kevin Butler's extra point gave Georgia a memorable 10-9 victory.
Interestingly, that was the second 10-9 score in that season, which was highlighted by Herschel Walker leaving early for the pros which left the Bulldogs without an established running back. Georgia defeated Florida 10-9 in Jacksonville on Nov. 5, 1983, another highlight in a nationally ranked season.
That year was a year in which all Bulldogs especially appreciated all Lastingers.
