Bulldogs' visit thrills two devoted alumni

When Matt Stinchcomb walked into the living room, Cason Bruker noticed how the former Georgia lineman filled it up.

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Michael Holahan/Staff

Former Georgia players Matt Stinchcomb (left) and David Greene visit with Cason Bruker, a 1948 Georgia graduate, in his Augusta home Wednesday.

"You're big," Bruker said.

"I am big," Stinchcomb said. "I grew up next to a nuclear power plant."

When former Bulldogs quarterback David Greene sat down on the couch beside Jane Bruker, she knew exactly who he was.

"You broke every record at Georgia," she said.

On Wednesday afternoon, Greene and Stinchcomb dropped in on two of the biggest Bulldogs fans in Augusta. Jane graduated from the Athens, Ga., college in 1941.

Her husband, Cason, a World War II veteran, finished in 1948.

Amidst a red-and-black backdrop of autographed footballs, pictures, buttons and letters, the former players told stories of their collegiate careers. Jane, who lost her eyesight a year ago, showed off her sharp memory, regaling Greene and Stinchcomb with stories of past players. She also let them know of her disgust with Georgia Tech's 45-42 win over the Bulldogs in November.

"My daddy taught me to love the Lord," she said, "and to hate Tech."

Stinchcomb asked Cason, a retired Sunday School teacher and former insurance agency owner who is battling cancer, what he thought of Joe Cox.

"He's going to be all right," Cason said of Cox, who will enter spring practice as Georgia's No. 1 quarterback.

Greene and Stinchcomb, who both live in the Atlanta area, started an insurance brokerage business in September. They came to Augusta on official business before visiting the Brukers.

The 31-year-old Stinchcomb played for Georgia from 1995-98 and was named an All-American his last two years. He played eight seasons in the NFL.

The 26-year-old Greene played for Georgia from 2001-04, leading the Bulldogs to the 2002 Southeastern Conference championship.

He also became the winningest quarterback in NCAA history, with 42 victories, and set the SEC career record for passing yardage at 11,528.

"It's unbelievable they'd take time to visit us," Cason said. "It's a moment of a lifetime."

Before Greene and Stinchcomb left, Jane let them know how much their visit meant.

"This is so delightful. You just don't know," she said. "I've got so many people who will be envious when I tell them."

Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com.