Director Christopher Nolan’s latest smash hit The Odyssey has unsurprisingly taken the world by storm.
You can count now on any new Nolan film to become a cultural event given the Oscar-winning director’s pedigree. His latest venture is a take on Ancient Greek mythology. A book many of us read while in high school: The Odyssey.
Some of us know the basic information about it. But if The Odyssey was a figurative illustration of a championship for the state of Georgia and its pursuit of that title, who would the characters be?
Odysseus – Matt Ryan
The ultimate hero of the story. Brilliant, resilient, wise, constantly overcoming obstacles.
But the journey is defined as much by heartbreak as success. Ryan spent 14 seasons chasing a Super Bowl, got agonizingly close in 2016, and despite countless hurdles, never reached the ending he deserved. He’s the Atlanta sports Odysseus.
Honorable Mention: Freddie Freeman (before 2021), Stetson Bennett
Penelope – Atlanta Fans
Always waiting. Always believing. Through blown leads, injuries, rebuilds, relocations, and curses, Atlanta fans continue waiting for championships to return.
Telemachus – Michael Penix Jr.
The son trying to establish his own legacy while carrying enormous expectations. Everyone is waiting to see if he can become the next great Atlanta quarterback.
Odysseus has taken him under his wing.
Honorable Mention: Jeff Francoeur during his rookie hype, Ronald Acuna Jr.
Athena – Chipper Jones
The wise guide.
Always seems to know the right answer. Even after retirement he’s become one of the Braves’ biggest voices, mentoring players and offering insight.
Honorable Mention: Bobby Cox.
Poseidon – Tom Brady
The recurring villain.
No athlete has tortured Atlanta fans more:
Super Bowl LI
Countless Falcons losses
Eliminating the Falcons in 2005
Knocking the Braves out in celebrity golf… probably.
If anyone keeps sending storms Atlanta’s way, it’s Brady.
The Cyclops – Nick Saban
One enormous obstacle standing between Georgia and greatness.
For years Georgia simply couldn’t get past Alabama.
Then…
Stetson Bennett drove the stake through the eye.
Circe – The Transfer Portal
Looks promising…
Suddenly your roster disappears.
The Sirens – “This Is Our Year”
Every offseason.
Every fan hears it.
Every year someone gets lured into believing before Week 5.
Scylla – Injuries
One monster.
Lose three starters.
Charybdis – Bad Coaching Decisions
The other monster.
Atlanta sports fans know the feeling:
“Should we run the football?”
Hermes – Julio Jones
The messenger.
Fast enough to deliver anything.
Could outrun just about everyone.
The Lotus-Eaters – The 2021 Braves Championship
One championship so satisfying that fans could happily live there forever.
“Remember Joc Pederson?”
“Remember Soler?”
The Suitors – Every Team Trying to Take Atlanta’s Stars
- Lakers chasing Trae Young.
- Dodgers signing Freddie Freeman.
- Every NFL team calling about Falcons players.
- Every SEC school recruiting Georgia commits.
Calypso – Arthur Blank’s Loyalty
Sometimes staying somewhere comfortable can delay the journey.
Blank has shown tremendous loyalty to coaches and executives—even when fans wanted change sooner.
Polyphemus’ Cave – 28-3
The darkest place in Atlanta sports history.
Getting out required unbelievable resilience from the fanbase.
Tiresias – Paul Finebaum
Whether Georgia fans like it or not…
He’s always predicting something.
Sometimes he’s right.
The Phaeacians – The 2021 Georgia Bulldogs
The people who finally helped Odysseus get home.
After 41 years, Kirby Smart’s team finally delivered Georgia football back to the promised land.
Zeus – Kirby Smart
The most powerful figure in Georgia sports today.
His decisions shape the landscape of college football in the state.
The Ending
Odysseus: Matt Ryan
After years of trials…
He never quite makes it home.
Alternate Ending
If this were a happier adaptation…
Odysseus becomes Stetson Bennett.
Nobody expected him to be the hero.
Everyone underestimated him.
He battled monsters (Alabama), ignored the doubters, survived every obstacle, and finally brought Georgia football home with back-to-back national championships.
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