James Parks "Buck" Cheves (November 29, 1898 – April 12, 1995) was a college football player and referee. Cheves was a Southeastern Conference official for 35 years.
Georgia Bulldogs – No. 19 | |
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Position | Quarterback |
Class | Graduate |
Personal information | |
Born: | (1898-11-29)November 29, 1898 Georgia |
Died: | April 12, 1995(1995-04-12) (aged 96) Cobb County, Georgia |
Weight | 145 lb (66 kg) |
Career history | |
College | Georgia (1919–1920) |
Career highlights and awards | |
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He led the "ten second backfield" of the 1920 Georgia Bulldogs led by first year coach Herman Stegeman which compiled an 8–0–1 record and won a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) title.[1] It was the first Georgia squad to be known as the "Bulldogs."[2] Cheves played without a helmet because he claimed the headgear impaired his hearing.[2] He returned a kick blocked by Puss Whelchel 87 yards for a touchdown to defeat Alabama,[3] ranked fourth in The 50 Greatest Plays In Georgia Bulldogs Football History.[4] He also starred in the backfield of 1919.[5] Cheves was also a guard on the Georgia basketball team.[6] Cheves was the captain of the 1921 basketball team that lost to Basil Hayden and the Kentucky Wildcats' "Wonder Team" in the SIAA championship game.[7][8]
A ballad dedicated to Cheves appeared in the student newspaper the Red and Black:
O! Cheves! O! Cheves!
In south, thou art rough,
The enemy grieves
When thou show'st thy stuff,
Thou art like a hurricane,
Thou hittest them hard,
God pity the man
Whom thou dost guard.[9]
In 1945 he was president of the touchdown club of Atlanta.[10] Cheves was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1976.[7]
Georgia Bulldogs starting quarterbacks | |
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1920 Georgia Bulldogs football—national champions | |
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*selected national champion by Clyde Berryman |