SEC football: 15 instances where it just meant more

11. Cade Mays transferred in-division from Georgia to Tennessee over his father’s lost finger

Back in the day, it was exceptionally taboo to transfer from one school to another in-division. One of the last ones of note before everyone gets the one free transfer anywhere without question philosophy was adopted saw former five-star Georgia offensive lineman Cade Mays transferring home to play for the Tennessee Volunteers. It had everything to do with his father losing a finger.

What if I told you a five-star recruit’s father lost his pinkie finger on a recruiting visit to Georgia?

Apparently, Mays’ father got his finger wedged between a wall and a folding chair, and the dang thing fell off. They didn’t try to tape it back on like Petey the Parakeet’s head, but Georgia did put it on ice and continued on with the recruiting visit. Mays ended up signing and playing with the Dawgs for two years before the lawsuit was brought on by his father. It was a valued appendage!

Blood, sweat and tears go into playing ball, but nobody really expects for bones to be broken off. Football is a gladiator sport, but cookouts are the real culprit here. This is why you have it in the cul-de-sac. Put the folding chairs in a circle around the manhole, and nowhere near a wall or picnic table. That way, the only way you can lose a finger or two is playing with fireworks like our boy JPP.

Mays may now play in the land of Cook Out in Charlotte, but the one in Athens was unforgettable!