I must preface this by saying that I did not think to make this a pict-o-blag and my free form story is one I decided upon only in retrospect.

Y'all all know about the Early Cuyler Gator Hator Hat. In its roughly four and a half years since debuting on Squidbillies, the hat has become a cherished part of Bulldog internet lore. Whether it be Early dubbing the baby (?) Squidbilly "Herschel Walker Cuyler Them Dawgs Is Hell Don't They" or Early talking about how them Dawgs is gonna go sic 'em sic 'em woof woof all over the Gators, we all love that hat.

Well last year, during a fit of funemployment and in preparation for that Cocktail Party (which I ended up not attending due to finances from the aforementioned lack of work), I made the hat. I posted a fanshot on DawgSports. I have since made only a change to the gallows from which the Gator hangs, but it is still the same hat. And this year, it was worn in Jacksonville.

I mainly frequented Gator tailgates. Bad, I know, but the friends I was down at the game with are both Florida alumni, and none of my UGA buddies made it to the game this year. Whatevs. Made the hat that much more special.

I would say overall the reaction was 70% positive. Every Georgia fan loved it, even if they didn't get the reference. Gator fans were probably split 60-40 against it, but aside from the one classy Gator that took the hat from me and rubbed it against his crotch in front of the Veterans Memorial Wall (as I said, classy), most negative Gators just gave a dirty look and went on their ways.

Anyway. The good reactions. I was drawn over to so many Georgia tailgates while wearing it that it more than made up for being bound for Florida tailgates. I think I was asked for around 50 pictures in it, at least 15 of which were Gator fans. Many of the younger Dawgs got the reference, and I even told some that had only just seen the video about the Auburn Squidbillies video. Sitting in the Gator side of the North Endzone with it on was a blast. The fans around me were fairly polite about it all and appreciated the over-the-topness of the hat (and really, that over-the-top, good-spirited trash talking is what makes college football so great). I sat next to an elderly Gator couple that have had tickets to the game for 30 years, and they were nothing but great representatives for Florida. When entering the stadium and getting patted down, the security guy actually busted out laughing and forgot to pat me down (note to terrorists: make funny college hats). I dropped plenty of the lines on people, to both those that got the reference and those that didn't.

So yeah. The hat was a huge hit. And the biggest success? Since being first crafted, it's 2-0 against Florida. It shall be back in Jax next year, so keep your eyes out for The Original Gator Hater.

Stay calm and GO DAWGS!