‘I just can’t stand losing’: Georgia OL Tate Ratledge is stepping into the bowl game with an untamable beast energy. The Rome native brought a lot to the table of the Bulldog’s offensive line when he returned from a smashing ankle injury. In his epic four-year stint, he only once missed the playoff. With a few minutes left in the clock to lace up his shoes against the Fighting Irish, let’s take a look back at his roots.

Who is Tate Ratledge’s Dad?

Tate Ratledge has athletics embedded in his blood. His dad, Dean Ratledge, was a middle-grade P.E. teacher at Darlington School. Spending decades training the kids to shine out in the field, Dean wrapped up his career as a physical education teacher at Pepperell Primary School. But that was not it. He also made a name for himself as a standout former college football player at Tennessee Tech from 1974 to 1977. He had a brief yet memorable stint in the NFL as well. From a very young age, he instilled the passion for the ball in little Tate’s brain, and the rest followed his script the best way possible.

From being an instrumental figure in all of his son’s key career decisions to being the first one to clap at Tate’s smallest success, a father found his rebounded purpose in life. But he couldn’t do it alone without Momma Ratledge, who has been another cornerstone in Tate’s life.

Who is Tate Ratledge’s Mom?

Mary Stuart Ratledge, an AP European and APUSH teacher at Armuchee High School in Rome, Georgia, United States, by profession, raised her kid with all the love, care, and lofty ideals. But she doesn’t miss out on flexing his child’s smallest daily habits like any other next-door mom. The lady once revealed (via dawgnation.com) that Tate is a sucker for peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwich.

The little moments and the big ambitions are clearly reflected in the persona, the renowned Georgia OL oozing out to the word.

Where did Tate Ratledge grow up?

Ratledge spent his boyhood in Rome, Georgia, playing with his neighbors’ kids. His mum revealed how the athlete would love to play and sit light with his friends in the breezy autumn afternoons. After nailing a high school career at Darlington High School, Ratledge took his talent to Georgia. As a four-star recruit, Ratledge was ranked as high as the No. 12 prospect and brought a lot of promise to the UGA camp. His epic transition from the high school vet to the collegiate newbie carries a beguiling story.

When driving across the beautiful Darlington School campus, Tate’s father’s truck caught everyone off guard. The giant orange “Power T” front vanity plate wasn’t spotted anywhere embedded in the car. Well, Dad Ratledge made a bold move by taking off the sticker and replacing it with power G. Well, it’s about paying tribute to their family heritage and tradition.

The Ratledge family has been a die-hard  Tennessee fan. In fact, Tate also grew up a Vol fan. But somehow, while choosing his own ground to shine, he chose the Dawg nation over the Volts.

But the family left zero hard feelings for their son’s choice.”It is an exciting day. It was always his decision, and this was about him.” said Papa Ratledge.

“This was and is about Tate, We’ve lived our dreams. This is about Tate’s dreams here with all of this. We are not doing away with the Tennessee orange now, but we will sure now wear a lot of red and black,” Mum Mary echoed the same emotion and wholeheartedly embraced his son’s new endeavor.

‘THE GOOD KID’ has done a lot for Kirby Smart’s Georgia, but winning a Sugar Bowl will be sure to give him an extra flair to flex and a reason for his parents to re-acknowledge his decision.