Running back Lauren Hargrove (1930-2009), whose nickname was the Phantom, became a local celebrity in Fitzgerald for his role in the 1948 State Football championship, in which the Purple Hurricane beat Decatur. In these rare photographs, he’s being presented a new automobile by Pontiac dealer Albert McCormick. In today’s world, such a gift wouldn’t be possible, but it’s amazing what hometown pride meant in those days.
Lauren was running back for the Hurricane from 1945 until graduating in 1948. In that time he was All-State, All-Southern, and Prep All-American. He also had a distinguished career for the Georgia Bulldogs from 1950-52, and was a letterman in all three seasons.
It’s amazing to think of how many car dealerships there were in Fitzgerald, or any small town, back then.
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Here’s a ticket stub from the state championship game.
There’s even a book about the 1948 season, called Purple and Gold Boys, by C. R. Adams.
http://www.purplehurricane.com/history/pagb.asp
