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Kirby Smart jokes about a statue in works for young Georgia fan refusing to sing "Rocky Top"

Screenshot 2025-08-29 at 11.28.07 AMby: Chris Low12/19/25clowfb

Nolan McGill endeared himself to Georgia fans everywhere by refusing to sing “Rocky Top” at his Rivermont Elementary School Christmas concert on Tuesday night in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

McGill, a diehard Georgia fan, stood among his fifth-grade classmates shaking his head in silent protest as they broke into a rendition of a song beloved by Tennessee fans, but generally despised by rival fan bases. His mom, Kelsey, recorded the concert on her phone and posted the video to Facebook on Tuesday after the concert and then to TikTok on Wednesday. The video immediately went viral with more than three million views by Friday morning.

Nobody was prouder of Nolan than the top Dawg himself, Kirby Smart.

“We are currently fundraising to put a statue of him up near the stadium. If it doesn’t cut into our NIL budget too much, we may get it up before we play Tennessee in two years,” Smart quipped Friday to On3.

For the record, Georgia doesn’t play Tennessee again until the 2027 season, and that game is indeed at Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs have won nine straight games in the series.

McGill told several media outlets that it was a “horrible song” and that, as a Georgia fan, he never planned to sing “Rocky Top” even after his class had rehearsed it for a month. He told The Athletic: “You couldn’t pay me to sing that song.”

After gladly participating in the first three Christmas songs during the concert, McGill never opened his mouth during the singing of the Vols’ unofficial anthem. He crossed his arms and shook his head in disgust.

He may have a roster spot locked up on one of Georgia’s future football teams. Smart loves McGill’s fire, passion and energy.