Fan Profile: Danny Britt
For some Georgia Southern fans, their True Blue spirit runs so deep that their children share the same name as their beloved University. Southern Britt, the 12-year-old daughter of former Eagle defensive back and outside linebacker Danny Britt, has a special name that not many of her sixth-grade classmates can claim.
“My wife Stephanie and I met as students at Georgia Southern. We are really Southern people, and we like tradition and unique names,” said Britt, talking about their daughter’s distinctive name. Britt explained that his fondness for the University was rooted in many special experiences on campus. “Some of my best memories are at Georgia Southern, and some of my best friends to this day, played football with me,” he recalled.
The Camilla, Ga., native enjoyed a successful career with the Eagles, and the glory days included playing on both the 1990 National Championship team and the 1993 Southern Conference championship team. Incredibly, Britt was a walk-on to the team. “I walked on the football team, and earned a full scholarship two years later,” he said, lettering all four years in the sport and serving as defensive captain his senior year.
After enjoying his success on the football field with the Eagles, Britt has served as an inspirational mentor to many Savannah, Ga., youth as an educator. Currently, he is the athletic director and head football coach at Benedictine Military School, an all-boys Catholic high school in Savannah, Ga. Prior to this position, he worked for 13 years at Calvary Day School serving in such capacities as head football coach and upper school assistant principal.
Although these valuable experiences were important to both Britt and the youth in his community, none could match a new member joining his family. In 2005, it wasn’t the birth of a new baby, but a teenaged sibling for the Britts’ daughters (including daughter Saylor, age 9).
The Britt family opened their home and hearts to 18-year-old Demarcus Dobbs, a resident of Bethesda Home for Boys. Dobbs’ story is much like the successful Sandra Bullock film, “The Blind Side.” The film details the story of a homeless black child adopted by the white Tuohy family, and even though the Britts never adopted Dobbs, they consider him their son and brother. After a standout career as a defensive end for the University of Georgia Bulldogs, Dobbs was invited to compete in the NFL Combine.
For now, Britt continues his involvement on campus with a determination to give back to the University that he treasures, by volunteering with the Eagle Athletic Association. “I loved my experiences at Georgia Southern. It’s a University with a big-time feel in a small town environment,” he said.
