Bisher was the best. He still is.
We’re going to take a 24-hour break today from the college football chatter.
We’re not going to talk about how bad Georgia was on Saturday against Tennessee (very).
We’re not going to talk about Who’s No. 1, Florida or Alabama? Sorry, Longhorns. You have to do more to impress people.
We’re not going to talk about Ole Miss and the burden of great expectations.
We’re not even going to talk about Tim Tebow. But if you aren’t impressed by now, you’ve got no heart.
We’re going to carve out a few calm moments in the wonderful chaos that is college football season to talk about my friend and mentor, Furman Bisher.
On rare occasions I ask for your indulgence to bring you something that is deeply personal. And when Bisher announced yesterday that he was retiring his Royal typewriter after 59 years at the AJC, anybody who knows and who has worked with the man felt it to their very core.
That’s because when each of us begins to chart a career path, or a life path for that matter, there is always a role model. We pick out somebody who has set the standard for our chosen profession and shoot for that. For me and my generation of sports reporters, especially those of us who grew up in the South, the model was Bisher.
For those of you who grew up reading the sports pages of the AJC, I don’t need to tell you that the man has a gift for the language.
The day that he wrote about the passing of his mother, I called my mom—twice.
For as far back as my memory banks will work, I have begun my Thanksgiving Day by reading his “I’m Thankful” column. It put me in the mood to be properly thankful.
But what you need to know about Bisher is how much the man cares about this town and the newspaper to which he devoted the best years of his life. He never felt that working for a newspaper was a job. It was a sacred obligation because of the readers who counted on it. He thought nothing of phoning an editor before breakfast to point out where he felt the newspaper had come up short of serving the readers on that particular morning.
He didn’t do this out of ego, although if any man had earned the right to have an ego it was Bisher. He did it because he cared deeply about serving the readers. If they were going to plunk down their money to buy our product then, By God, they deserved nothing less than the best we could give them on a daily basis.
What you don’t know are all the things he did to help young writers. He didn’t baby them. He was tough but always fair. He wanted you to get better and there were no short cuts. You make the extra phone call. You camp out until after practice to talk to the head coach. Get the story first but most of all get it right. In Bisher’s World there was no greater sin than getting it wrong. Isn’t that a quaint notion?
To cover a Masters Golf tournament with Bisher was to see a man in his element. Even on that hallowed patch of ground, Nicklaus and Palmer would defer to Bisher.
One year Georgia was playing a night game at Kentucky and the horses were still running at Keeneland. Bisher called and informed me that I WOULD be going to the races with him. We walked those beautiful grounds where it seemed that Bisher knew every trainer and every jockey. He knew the good horses and he knew the nags. In about 30 minutes he taught me how to handicap a race and that day I walked away with some extra money in my pocket. I still count that as one of my favorite days in this profession.
I’ve often told people that the two most important days of my life were the day that I married my bride and the day my daughter was born. But a close third is Sept. 22, 1984.
I had been at the AJC for only a month covering the Georgia beat. The Bulldogs were playing a big game against Clemson. Understand that growing up in Georgia, Bisher and Jesse Outlar of The Atlanta Constitution were my sports writing heroes.
When I took my seat in the press box at Sanford Stadium, Furman was sitting on my left and Jesse was on my right. During the game both were asking me questions about Georgia and seeking my advice on different story angles for the game. For a little country boy from Union Point, Ga., this was a really big deal.
When Vince Dooley sent Kevin Butler out to attempt a 60-yard field goal to win the game, Bisher looked at me and asked: “Can he make this?”
“I’ve seen him do it in practice,” I said, desperately hoping Butler would prove me right.
He did, of course. Butler’s field goal would have been good from 70. That’s why the man is in the College Football Hall of Fame.
“Good call,” Bisher said. “You’ve been paying attention.”
One kind word of encouragement from Bisher was enough to keep a young reporter going for a long, long time. I’m living proof of it. And there are countless others whose lives he touched in this very same way.
That’s what you need to know about Bisher. He was simply the best that ever was. And still is.
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168 comments Add your comment
merculf
October 12th, 2009
8:58 am
I wouldn’t expect much from the regular gang that comes here….they haven’t read a paper in years. I know I appreciate his input to the Atlanta sports scene all those years. Thanks Mr. Bisher, I will miss reading your thoughts.
Saint Simons
October 12th, 2009
9:01 am
45 – 19 !!!!!!!! hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Top Dawg
October 12th, 2009
9:04 am
Are you kidding me?
Lane Kiffin
October 12th, 2009
9:06 am
I eat bulldawgs for breakfast. Me and Coach “O” sang rocky top all night AND I enjoy dancing on your grave leg humpers.
Bama Aaron
October 12th, 2009
9:07 am
Great article Tony. Living in your neighbor to the west all I’ve ever known about Bisher is from the .com version of the AJC. But you can tell the man can write. Shame there aren’t more like him around instead of the bloggers we have today.
Al Gore
October 12th, 2009
9:09 am
Who needs the newspaper when you have the Internet?! (which, by the way, I invented)
JoeFann
October 12th, 2009
9:11 am
Thanks, Tony. Though I’ve never met the man, he made me a traveling companion through his unequaled writing. His columns were transport for homebound wanderers. I believe that the newspaper era has now officially ended. Selah!
Gary
October 12th, 2009
9:11 am
Tony, great story. I will miss reading the columns that I’ve read since I was a young man growing up. I wasn’t a big golfer until I read Furman’s column one year before the Masters tournament. He got me hooked and I haven’t looked back. That spring weekend is still to this day one of my favorites in all of sports. I will certainly miss reading his pre-Masters column.
Tony – I look forward to the return of the regular college football talk on Tuesday. In the meantime……..Have a happy retirement Furman Bisher.
KR
October 12th, 2009
9:13 am
My father, now deceased, taught me to read Mr. Bisher’s column very early in life so that I would get a “unique perspective” on the sports world. In my father’s opinion, very few people could communicate the subtleties of the sports world like Mr. Bisher could.
Thank you Mr. Bisher for a long run (40 years in my case) of entertainment. Enjoy your well-earned retirement.
T
October 12th, 2009
9:15 am
LOL… hilarious… Georgia gets stomped and Tony doesnt want to talk football…. LOL …. if things keep going this way, maybe this blog will be the “home and garden” blog or something of that nature by the end of the football season….
Jonathon Crompton
October 12th, 2009
9:18 am
Tony, thanks for making me feel good about myself. Maybe you can help Joe Cox.
Atlanta Nole
October 12th, 2009
9:18 am
Great story Tony and a nice break in the mid-point of the season.
Mutley
October 12th, 2009
9:19 am
I don’t blame you Tony, this was as bad a Ga performance as ever seen. Looks like a 5-7 season and LOTS of changes to be made.
SickandTired
October 12th, 2009
9:19 am
Tony I envy you having had a working relationship with Furman. I can tell he touched your life and for that I glad for you. He is an icon in the Deep South and beyond for that matter. And, I have to say, I can see his influence on your way of writing stories. Keep up your good work and carrying his legacy forward for younger writers that so need the guidance.
RedKneckerson
October 12th, 2009
9:20 am
I always enjoy the columns that ended with “and whatever happened to”. Furman was/is a writer that isn’t full of hate as most are now. A writer that doesn’t call for the head of a coach because of a bad game or even a bad season. I like Furman’s writing alot.
David
October 12th, 2009
9:20 am
If you care about Bisher so much, why do you work with 790 the Zone? This so called radio station who for the last several years has made fun of him and their own Mike Bell & Nick C has called him a raciest?
David
October 12th, 2009
9:20 am
If you care about Bisher so much, why do you work with 790 the Zone? This so called radio station who for the last several years has made fun of him and their own Mike Bell & Nick C has called him a racist?
jumbeauxtiger
October 12th, 2009
9:20 am
Great article TB.
I have been a season ticket holder for 27 years and I have never seen a better player than Tim Tebow. The guy is incredible. Several LSU players waited until Tebow was through being interviewed after the game to shake his hand. It was tough losing to the Gators but I am proud of the class the Tiges showed.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
Loel
October 12th, 2009
9:21 am
Its amazing how two people can judge so different. In my opinion he was the worst case of a writer of any kind that ever picked up a pin. The one time in my life I communicated with him, he used rotten gutter level language to dress me down. Now if he could get so upset over so little, then that is the measure of a “man” of lack thereof. Thank God for then end of the era. I ‘m sure the readers don’t know that and would want him teaching their Sunday School class>
RubbyAuburn
October 12th, 2009
9:23 am
LOL. Barnhardt doesn’t want to talk football after his beloved Dogs lost in pathetic fashion. What will it be next week Tony? You’ll want to reflect on the state of the economy after a Vandy loss? Priceless. LOL
RAMBLE ON!!!
October 12th, 2009
9:23 am
Funny, I see where you are not going to talk about FSU/GT, only SEC.
Captbob
October 12th, 2009
9:24 am
Mr. Bisher was the writer I turned to as a teenager to get all the information on my favorite team, and it has remained that way to this day. I had the priviledge to meet him at the Atl Touchdown club in 1957. I was awarded one of their weekly High School football awards, and said a few words. I was surprised and pleased when Mr. Bisher wrote a letter to my father later, saying nice things about me. The point is Mr. Bisher is not only a great writer but a great man, who has always taken the time to help others. He will be missed.
RubbyAuburn
October 12th, 2009
9:24 am
And of course it’s the UGA crowd throwing out “great article Tony”….they’d just soon not read more about UGA either. LOL
As the late, great...
October 12th, 2009
9:25 am
…Lewis Grizzard used to say “If only I could write like Furman Bisher”! Nuff Said – Selah!
Atl Sports Fan
October 12th, 2009
9:26 am
Great article Tony. As a 49 year old Atl native, reading Bisher became more of a treat as I grew older. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him a ocuple of times – a true gentleman. Reading some the early posts, what a shame that there are several idiots that can’t stop being stupid to give a little repsect and honor to a legend.
The 2 guys in the Allstate commercial
October 12th, 2009
9:27 am
No one is better than Bobby- we have a statue of him outside the stadium and we even have a grill in his likeness.
Gen Neyland
October 12th, 2009
9:28 am
We come to praise Furman Bisher, not to bury him. No eulogy here, no flags for excessive celebration… My family migrated to Georgia back in the 60’s. His columns drew me in as a kid when the Atlanta Journal and Constitution each stood alone. Later in life, I read him in the Blue Streak on bus rides home after work. Congrats Furman on a solid run. Selah back atcha…
Barry
October 12th, 2009
9:30 am
Thanks Tony for that tribute to Furman Bisher. I too have faithfully read his Thanksgiving column and I will surely miss it. I’m glad he is getting to retire when he wants to. He has had a long and well-written career and has earned all the respect he has around the country.
Not Disappointed!
October 12th, 2009
9:30 am
Tony, I don’t agree with you alot, but I do appreciate this article. Bisher will be missed. “A dying area of creativity.
Thanks Bisher!
Bittersweet
October 12th, 2009
9:30 am
Tony goes 8 for 10 in the Fearless Friday forecast, but one of the losses involves his Dawgs, who got annihilated by the anemic Tennessee offense.
reebok
October 12th, 2009
9:33 am
Furman Bisher and his contemporary, Jesse Outlar, were the ‘gateway drugs’ to my love of good sportswriting. I started reading Bisher when I was 7, and I have always been amazed by his use of language and his ability to communicate not merely stats and scores, but the very feel and nuance of a sporting event. The era of the great sportswriter is over with Bisher’s retirement. Mr. Bisher, you will be sorely missed.
Phil
October 12th, 2009
9:37 am
Well said TB. Bisher is a class act and you are too!
PMC
October 12th, 2009
9:38 am
As Iconic as the Masters. One of the worlds great all time writers. Much less sportswriters. His ability to translate what is happening in to words that evoke feelings and emotions is the halmark of greatness in any communication career.
Al
October 12th, 2009
9:41 am
Nice column. I remember waking up as a kid in the 80’s and fighting for the sports page from my dad. Always remember seeing furman’s column right there in the front.
Atlanta Gator
October 12th, 2009
9:42 am
Selah —- “Let those who have eyes see, and those who have ears hear.” Atlanta’s legendary sport-writer and editor has passed, and we will not soon see his kind again.
A blessing on Furman and the Bisher family today.
“Stand up, Scout. Your father is passing.”
All Honor to His Name
October 12th, 2009
9:43 am
As one with a deep appreciation of history (and a degree in it), an intense passion for The Masters (first attended in ‘89) and the good fortune of being able to interview Mr. Bisher as an aspiring golf journalist earlier this decade, I wanted to extend my most sincere thanks to our city’s one-of-a-kind sportswriting legend. Best wishes in your well-earned retirement, sir!
P.S. Billy Payne, when will you announce “The Furman Bisher Media Center” at August National?!?
NJ Dawg
October 12th, 2009
9:45 am
Great article, Tony. As others have noted, it’s a shame some of the early posters couldn’t muster enough class for one day to honor an Atlanta sportswriting legend, but a great many more of us grew up on Mr. Bisher’s columns and wish him a happy retirement. There’ll never be another like Furman Bisher!
Dogbyte
October 12th, 2009
9:45 am
Tony, What you didn’t mention was that Jesse leaned towards Georgia in his coverage while Furman leaned towards Tech. In spite of that
, I still admire Furman and his great talent with the written word. I live out of state so I have no choice but to get my (sport) news off the net. It is a poor substitute for the old Constitution and Journal.
McDawg
October 12th, 2009
9:49 am
Furman Bisher for me will always be associated w/ the Braves much more so than football-First Skip and now Furman-starting to feel kinda of old
Top Dawg
October 12th, 2009
9:50 am
I know he was a great writer, and I have fond memories of my late grandparents reading aloud his articles to me. However, this is a spring-time type of article. We are hopefully on the cusp of some MAJOR changes in Athens, and we get this for an article??? Please, let’s talk UGA football, warts and all.
Norm Carlson
October 12th, 2009
9:52 am
I was fortunate enough to be hired by Edwin Pope in the Atlanta Journal sports department in August of 1956 after graduating from the University of Florida without a degree in journalism. A few months later Furman came downstairs from the Constitution to replace retiring Journal columnist Ed Danforth. Working in the same department with Furman and Jim Minter was as good as it could get. When Furman would open the door to his glassed-in office , point at me as say “Got a Minute” it was scary, but I learned something each time. He is the best columnist I have ever read, and thankfully he is still a good friend. Furman will be missed by a lot of people for a lot of reasons.
gt
October 12th, 2009
9:54 am
great article about a great man. you,too, are outstanding.
Carl
October 12th, 2009
9:56 am
Say what you will about the man, but bama fans say good riddance to a clown who single handedly tried to ruin the career of the greatest college football coach of all time, Bear Bryant. Bryant sued the Saturday Evening Post and Bisher’s lies printed within, and WON, which essentially put that paper out of business. Great work Fruman. You should’ve been fired 40 years ago for that crap.
blazerdawg
October 12th, 2009
9:56 am
Awesome column Mr. Barnhart…Mr. Bisher mentored you well.
Top Dawg
October 12th, 2009
9:58 am
Okay, maybe this should have been one of two columns you wrote today, TB.
Gary
October 12th, 2009
10:00 am
For those of you who are reveling in the fact that the Dawgs lost over the weekend, enjoy your fun and lay off Tony. I am sure he will have lots to say tomorrow. His column today is about a Georgia legend who is calling it a career. Myself and my fellow UGA fans will be glad to take our verbal insults from you the rest of the week on this blog and others. But today let Tony use his column to remember his great mentor. For you to berate him just shows how classless you are.
CatsFly
October 12th, 2009
10:02 am
Carl, you have signed a pact with the devil vis-a-vis both Bryant and Saban. You’ll follow the devil as long as he enables wins at Bama.
Coach O
October 12th, 2009
10:08 am
HAD SOME DAWG MEAT FOR DINNER SAT!!! ARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH ARRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Cant wait to party in Athens next fall after ANOTHER a$$ whoopin. ARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH
David
October 12th, 2009
10:09 am
You say the man was fair? He never had any proof of the Wall Butts/Bear Bryant fix. However for years he made their lives miserable and almost killed Bear. Please tell me how you get 44 players to fix a football game? Back then Butts couldn’t beat Bear if his life depended on it. But good Ole Furman, sure had the poop on the fix. He was like you Tony, a homer who played to the local crowd.
jeff
October 12th, 2009
10:20 am
best golf columnist ever. period.
Saint Crompton
October 12th, 2009
10:24 am
((((( 45 19 ))))) hahahahahahahaha
JB
October 12th, 2009
10:26 am
Yes, a good writer……………………But a Bobby Dodd admirer who never let his slant for Tech hide very much, and by the way Tony, They will say the same about you and UGA one day.
Paul The Vol
October 12th, 2009
10:27 am
Gosh, Bama fans thinking only of themselves with no perspective on what was written, who saw that one coming?
I didn’t always agree with what Bisher wrote, but I always admired the respect he had for his readers and that he always understood that he wasn’t the story, it was the subject of the column that was the story. It’s a lesson many current writers should learn.
GTPHISH
October 12th, 2009
10:28 am
Nice Column, Tony.
Thanks Furman from this lifelong Atlanta resident.
Jonathan Crompton
October 12th, 2009
10:29 am
So if Lane Kiffin is the dogs daddy does that make Monte their granddaddy?
what ever
October 12th, 2009
10:36 am
Great article, Tony. I, like you, grew up in Georgia and couldn’t wait to get the morning paper to read Outlar and then when dad got home with the evening paper (the Blue Streak) to read Bisher. I read EVERY article written by those two men as if it was the gospel. What great writers; their writing allowed my mind to be set right in the setting. Their ability to manipulate words into action and imagination was magical.
As a heads-up to you, Tony; my son now reads you, Bradley, and Schultz the way I used to read Bisher and Outlar – so you have a legacy to fill.
Kitchen Sink
October 12th, 2009
10:36 am
Great column, Tony. If you grew up around here like I did, then not having Furman’s column to read will be like losing an old friend that you discussed sports with all the time. And if you love the Masters like I do, then even more so. He indeed has a way with words like no other around here. I too always read the Thanksgiving column every Thanksgiving morning and it was as traditional as turkey. Thanks Furman and I still have a column I cut out of the paper that you wrote about Arnold Palmer and the Masters and it sits on my coffee table to this day. You have a fantastic mentor, Tony and it looks like the mentoring has paid off for you. I’m starting to look forward to your words too. Selah!
m
October 12th, 2009
10:39 am
We will miss you Furman…and since I know that you agree with me… we can say it together….THANK GOD AND GREYHOUND that chan gomer gailey is gone from our beloved Jackets…FOREVER!!!! AMEN!!!
Dawg85
October 12th, 2009
10:40 am
Great column Tony. My uncle worked for the AJC but lived in Augusta and would bring home copies of the AJC for us when we were kids. All we cared about at that time were sports and comics. Enjoyed reading Furman and Jesse Outler through the years. Both were great!
Loel WHO
October 12th, 2009
10:44 am
Hey Loel – By reading your stupid post it is no wonder Bisher shot you down – you can’t write (or spell) worth a crap. You couldn’t begin to handle Bisher’s pen.
The Truth
October 12th, 2009
10:47 am
I can tell you what a man Furman Bisher was. I was a Journalism major at Georgia State University and I was covering either my second or third press conference involving the Atlanta Hawks. This was in the late 70s. All the reporters were getting picked over this nervous kid and getting their answers for their stories. Out of nowhere, I felt this hand on my shoulder telling me to not worry about it and to let the furor die down and then jump forward and get your story. That man was Furman Bisher. He told me how he was proud that a real Journalism student was making his way in the profession and that he was tired of athletes getting the plum jobs with no experience.
I have been away from the media business for over 25 years now and have carved a successful career. But I never forgot how this man stood behind me on that day and made me feel 10 feet tall. He is a treasure and by damn, the best sports columnist in my generation bar none. I tip my hat to you Furman!!
TommyGator
October 12th, 2009
10:47 am
Mr. Barnhart,
That seems much more appropriate than, “Tony” for this article about Mr. Bisher. I agre whole heartedly whith your assessment of the man, and I’ve never met him personally, only through his wrinting.
GT Fan...
October 12th, 2009
10:55 am
Yes sir F. Bisher was/is one of the best!
But Tony, either you are “not a smart man” or simply biased. Not going to talk about Ole Miss????? You’re serious, Ole Miss….Ole Miss!? I’m going out on a limb here, but I’d bet the Bobby Bowden situation would desreve the (not going to talk about) mention before Ole Miss. Come on, Forrest, you’re better than that. BTW, TB, you missed a GREAT game in Tallahassee on Saturday. But I guess you’ve got Ole Miss.
Vol85
October 12th, 2009
10:58 am
Tony, thanks for the article. As someone who moved to Atlanta in 71 from my beloved Knoxville I can say that one of the best treats each day was reading the likes of Jesse, Lewis, Ron Hudspeth, and, of course, Mr. Bisher. I read several of his books as a youth and was impressed at how something as seemingly “unmacho” as the use of creative language could mix with the tough world of athletics and sports. Mr. Bisher’s columns were, they themselves, poetry in motion. From my yearly favorite on Thanksgiving morning that my dad and I would both enjoy to his heart wrenching take on his on son’s passing. His eloquence and reverence to all that was right and calling out of what was wrong in sports and culture as a whole were unparalleled. I never climbed the heights of others in putting my journalism degree to work as a vocation, but I owe my desire to study the field to the no nonsense, unbiased, compassionate writing style emulated by Mr. Bisher.
Heath
October 12th, 2009
11:01 am
Ironic that you are paying tribute to a man who was a die hard Ga Tech fanand all of the Tech fans are pounding on you for writing about him. As a wise man once said, “those around us know nothing.”
God, I miss the days when I could buy a print copy of the paper. On the other hand, I never knew there were so many imbeciles in society until I could read these insightful comments after a column.
Jay
October 12th, 2009
11:03 am
Can you forward a link to Bisher’s article about his mother passing away. Tweeting the link would work just fine. Thanks and I enjoy your work.
j
October 12th, 2009
11:08 am
Finally. His columns were getting terrible like blaming trading pitching for the Braves fall this year, when the offense failed and the guys in the Tex deal wouldn’t start over Yunel or McCann anyway. Plus his still fighting WWII w/ bigotry toward Japanese ballplayers in MLB was wrong.
TommyJack
October 12th, 2009
11:14 am
I’d rather talk about the game with Pollock and Schlabach.
panhandlebuzz
October 12th, 2009
11:16 am
I was born in Griffin, Georgia in 1944. When I started to school, I learned to read by reading the writings of Mr. Bisher and Mr. Outlar. They are the best. Notice, I called them Mr., and not by their first names. Even though I will be 65 years old this week, I always have respect for my elders and especially Mr. Bisher. Even after I graduated from high schoo, then college, finished the military, I would continue to read his columns. Before computers, after I moved to Marianna, Florida, where I still reside, I would drive to Donalsonville, Georgia each sunday to buy a Journal-Constitution and read his latest take on the events in the sports world. After computers came along, I access the AJC every day, and the first thing I look for on the sports page is Mr. Bisher, then Tony Barnhart. God bless you Mr. Bisher !!!!
Heath is spot on....
October 12th, 2009
11:26 am
Truer words have never been spoken. At least when you had the print edition, you could read the articles and assume (even if it was assumptions made through blissful ignorance) that the world was not populated by the mouth breathers we see on display here each day. God help us if the people posting on these blogs are representative of even 1% of our total population. I just pray that these people do not vote and cannot procreate.
Gator Nation
October 12th, 2009
11:28 am
Great piece today Tony.
Where can I read a copy of the article that Bisher wrote after his mother passed away? Thanks,
GM
October 12th, 2009
11:30 am
At a Ga. sportswriters meeting, a latecomer from a small paper sits down at his seat at the same table as Bisher and Mark Bradley. Bradley is talking with Bisher, who politely excuses himself to graciously greet the newcomer. Apparently annoyed with the interruption, Bradley does not greet the newcomer. I don’t think Bradley would do that today, hopefully not only because of maturity, but because of lessons learned from that gentleman, Furman Bisher. Happy retirement, sir.
UGA
October 12th, 2009
11:30 am
Why does Ramble On open every blog posting as Saint Simon and then 5 minutes later post as herself?
Bisher was good in his day. But in recent years his writing has not been sharp as age has crept into his bones.
buzz
October 12th, 2009
11:40 am
Tony, thank you for the walk down memory lane. I too will never forget the article he penned on the passing of his Mother and Thanksgiving will never be the same again. A tradition is dead and boy will I miss that column. Furman, thank you for all the wonderful work through the years and I wish you good health and happiness in your retirement.
Gator Nation
October 12th, 2009
11:44 am
I just read Furman’s piece about the passing of his son. I did this while watching my two year old son play with his wooden train set. Thank you Mr. Bisher for reminding me of what is important in life and how to be a good dad.
Beautiful Monte
October 12th, 2009
11:52 am
I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Bisher briefly in the press box at a college football game several years ago. When I first saw him, I knew he looked familiar, but I just couldn’t place him.
Generally speaking, the members of the “big time” sports media are just as arrogant as they coaches and athletes they cover, but Mr. Bisher was so unassuming, I figured I must have him confused with someone else.
In a minute, someone said, “Hey, there’s Furman Bisher”, and I thought, “I knew I recognized that guy”.
Long story short, I went over and introduced myself to Mr. Bisher, who was incredibly gracious. The media could definitely use more folks like him.
I wish Mr. Bisher a long and happy retirement.
StingerSplash
October 12th, 2009
11:52 am
As the late, great Lewis Grizzard himself once wrote of Bisher (or perhaps relayed the thoughts of another):
In that office, he is unbeaten, untied and unscored upon.
And I don’t care that Mr. Barnhart has chosen not to write about Georgia. They lost. They’ve lost before. They will lose again. But the greater loss is the loss to sportswriting, writing in general and the great void at 72 Marietta St. without Furman Bisher.
Hope he still gets to go to St. Andrew’s – if he wants to.
Live from hell... it's Ty Cobb!
October 12th, 2009
11:54 am
Hey ole buddy Furman.. I got a bottle of Jack Daniels and two shot glasses waitin’ on ya down here.
DBCOOPER
October 12th, 2009
11:54 am
My old Mercury Cougar is in Auto Heaven with the “I beat Bisher” on the bumper. I met the Legend in 1984 while he was getting a haircut over on Howell Mill. He was very gracious and even sat with me for a moment to talk sports. He’s great and helped Atlanta become all the things it wanted to be in Sports. Have fun in retirement sir.
UT96
October 12th, 2009
12:14 pm
Can someone clarify. Isn’t Furman Bisher a Mccallie grad? Anyway, it’s been a joy reading your columns. You’ll be missed just like the late great Lewis Grizzard.
macrotech
October 12th, 2009
12:18 pm
There’s always a great story waiting to be discovered…regardless, the competition or the match-up. It’s been a joy to see what lunkers Mr. Fisher would yank out of the waters of possibilities! We’ve been MOST fortunate to see a legend at work and he shall be missed! Thank you, sir!!!
Lord of the Lizards
October 12th, 2009
12:19 pm
Wow, I never read the mans work, but if Tony Barnhart AND Norm Carlson say he was the best…then he must have been the best.
Barnacle Bill Bavasi
October 12th, 2009
12:19 pm
Ted Turner went to McCallie. Ralph McGill may have, too. He’s from Chattanooga. Furman Bisher? Don’t know.
Barnacle Bill Bavasi
October 12th, 2009
12:29 pm
When did Outlar retire and is he still alive? I guess he’s not, or he would have been quoted about Bisher.
Barn burner
October 12th, 2009
12:33 pm
Good riddance to that old fart. He should of retired 15-20 years ago.
Ken Stallings
October 12th, 2009
12:37 pm
Tony Barhardt, nice column! It isn’t easy to see a mentor walk away. You suddenly find yourself becoming the new mentor. Walk well with the title! Return the favor to others as Bisher rendered to you.
gatorman770
October 12th, 2009
12:40 pm
Forman Bisher’s writings ( and the sports section) is one of the only parts of the AJC that didn’t go downhill (to liberal left bias)over the last 20 years!
stuartmark
October 12th, 2009
12:44 pm
Bisher was a low life piece of trash. What he did to Bryant should have ended his career, and for you Tony to honor such a sorry excuse of a journalist is disgusting. I always thought you were a standup guy. Whats next a fluff peice on the una-bomber?
Special Request!
October 12th, 2009
12:49 pm
Dear Mr. Bisher,
If anyone has earned a retirement, it’s you. But may I please BEG you one thing–come out of retirement once a year to continue covering the Georgia-Georgia Tech game. Even if my beloved Jackets lose, it’s a lot more bearable reading it it through the prism of your story-telling.
You have a tremendous gift for transporting the reader with your words and images and I can think of no better proof than this–I graduated GT in the 80’s and my parents, who grew up in Maryland and could not care less about college football [in general] or reading a sports page, always made a point to read your coverage of Georgia Tech games.
You are greatly loved and we all wish you the best in your golden years. It will be a difficult loss for us but we are truly lucky for having you all the years that we did.
murfdawg
October 12th, 2009
12:51 pm
Tony,
Good column about a great writer.
Did you know he was the only writer to ever get ejected from a NBA game. It happened when the Hawks were playing at Tech in the late 60’s.He had written a couple of columns “questioning the ability” of referees Mendy Rudolph and Earl Strom. Then next time Rudolph was in town for a game, Bisher said something to him as he passed press row. All of a sudden the game stopped and Mendy went over to press row and asked Bisher to leave. As he packed up his Royal and made his way to the top of the stairs, he received a standing ovation.
Also, I have Bisher to thank for one of my life’s ritual. He said somthing to the effect that “A sporting event is not complete until you read about it in the paper the next day.” There is nothing better than going to a game and then read what Bisher said the next day. I will miss him.
TonyBFan
October 12th, 2009
12:58 pm
Do you think UT could have beaten Tebow & co. on Friday?
TonyBFan
October 12th, 2009
12:59 pm
Enter your comments here
toga
October 12th, 2009
1:21 pm
Bisher should have never worked again after penning Bear Bryant fixed a game in the early sixties. He put his own paper out of business and was began a disappointing trend of reporting. It was because of Bisher that AL/GA do not play every other year. I for one, will be glad to see him fade away.
ROLL TIDE!!
Tide rising
October 12th, 2009
1:23 pm
Tony,
I have a different perspective on the man. For the life of me I can’t understand how you can celebrate a man who went out of his way to ruin the careers of Bear Bryant and Wally Butts with a completely bogus story built on the flimsiest of evidence. His whole fictional story of Bear Bryant and Butts colluding to fix a Bama win(as if Bear needed any help to beat Butts) is preposterous and one of the great sham jobs ever done by a journalist against 2 people.
He should have been booted out of journalism 40 years ago for writing such a bogus piece of trash for the sole purpose of enhancing his career at the expense of Butts and Bryant. The fact that he kept his job after this story was proven to be completely baseless is a small travesty of justic. Had he apologized at some point for his smear job than we would forgive him. But in his pride and arrogance this man never apoloigized for his slander. Shame on him!
Tide rising
October 12th, 2009
1:26 pm
That’s justice and apoligized. The man has me so angry I can’t even spell right.
BravesFan79
October 12th, 2009
1:28 pm
Im a GT and UGA fan and the bickering like little girls between some of you is just pathetic!! The college presidents count on yall to argue and fight so that nothing EVER gets accomplished and a playoff system is never installed. Congrats… its working!…. even tho im a fan of CF, it just dosent compare to the Major sports… and the no playoff system is due to the lack of unity among the fans.
Good article Tony, I remember Mr Bisher covering real sports like the Braves very well growing up in the 90’s.
Oledawg
October 12th, 2009
1:30 pm
And he is probably proud of your well-written column today. Your few words took many people back to good memories.
Gen Neyland- A true gentleman and fan you are.
The Butts/Bryant phone conversation sworn to by the man who got wires crossed and heard them exchanging info on plays called in differing situations(some I remember he jotted down and read into sworn testimony) was part of the trial that Mr. Bisher reported. Wally Butts’s crying on the stand reached the jury and they found him not guilty based on emotion, not on the evidence. Mr. Bisher duly reported that fact after the trial and no one in Alabama who raised Bear to a deity will ever forgive him. Tough.
Recently, after the ASU game, I wrote to a blogger column obtained from Hale where the author had complimented UGA, Athens and Southerners. I shared with them a little history involving Mr. Bisher and Arizona State. In the 70s ASU and the WAC were an unknown in the major conferences and were overlooked for bowl games although ASU was the perennial winner exhibiting a powerful team under Frank Kush. Furman Bisher campaigned for ASU to be recognized and almost single-handedly got them to the Peach Bowl, their first on the national stage. They won and as we say, the rest was history. He called attention to ASU out of respect for competitive football and the disservice given by ignoring good teams. No other reason or hidden agenda came into play. The dignity, power and appeal of his words were sufficient to change the course of an ignored football team and the school represented.
Tony- I owe you an apology for past heated thoughts of your ego and hope for my sake alone that you will continue to write as you have today.
Mr. Bisher-Congrats on your retirement. It is obvious from the blogs on this column that your words were soul-moving to many who will be less for not continuing to read them. God speed and if you would like to get a little fishing set up for the future, I live on the best bass lake in Georgia. My e-mail address is on file in your department. Please do not judge the invite by my lack of writing skills and poor English usage.
H1022
October 12th, 2009
1:33 pm
Ed Danforth Furman Jesse Outlar Jimmy Minter produced the best sports page in the country. Sorry my comma is broken like on an old Royal.
Disconcerting silence
October 12th, 2009
1:40 pm
No public words from Bradley or Schultz on Bisher’s leaving? Isn’t that rather odd?
Frank Lane
October 12th, 2009
1:43 pm
I concur. Few newspaper writers are as good as Bisher. He is the Ring Lardner of my generation. I was a Journalism major at UGA. Jesse Outlar was a pledge in my fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, but went to WW II instead of being initiated. I worked the Ga Tech press box with Al Ciraldo as an Eagle Scout and met Mr. Bishop many times. He is one of my heroes also, and I have never spent a day as a working journalist.