The Gridiron Secret Society is a secret society based at the University of Georgia, in Athens, Georgia. However, there is much speculation about its international reach. Revealed in 1908, Gridiron "is considered one of the highest honors a male student may receive on the University of Georgia campus." [1]
Gridiron is believed to draw many of its membership from students, faculty and alumni of the University of Georgia, but a number of members have no known association with the UGA or the state of Georgia. The society elects student members and non-student members called "honorary members" each fall and spring. Student members are drawn from various disciplines University-wide including but not limited to, the law school, Ag Hill, the Greek system and UGA athletics. Honorary members are usually promiment leaders in government, law, medicine or business, mostly from the United States and mostly associated with the state of Georgia. It is thought to have connections with certain structures and historic sites around the state and southern United States (Warm Springs, guidestones, Georgia capitol building), but its members do not publish any information, causing much speculation.
The organization is believed to be associated with other chapters and organizations which operate around the world under different names including Yale's Skull and Bones. Observers have noted that the University of Georgia's first president Abraham Baldwin was a Yale graduate and likely member of Skull and Bones. Other scholars have speculated that the name comes from "the Goose and Gridiron" one of the original masonic lodges.[2]. "Qualifications for membership and activities are known only to members."[1]
Notable members include Herschel Walker, Vince Dooley, Jimmy Carter, Dean Rusk, Carl Sanders, George Busbee, Joe Frank Harris, Zell Miller, Roy Barnes, Sonny Perdue, Griffin Bell, Ellis Arnall, Ernest Vandiver, Richard Russell, Jr., Sam Nunn, Herman Talmadge, Mack Mattingly, Max Cleland, Lewis Grizzard, Fran Tarkenton, Billy Payne, Thurbert Baker, Charles S. Sanford, Jr., Bernard Ramsey, Skip Caray, Earl Leonard, Jr., Frank Sinkwich, Andy Day, Dan Amos, Casey Cagle, Cecil Staton, Tommie Williams, John Barrow, Jack Kingston, Charles Knapp, Garland T. Byrd, William Tate, Sonny Seiler, Johnny Isakson, Saxby Chambliss, Judge James H. Weeks, DuBose Porter, Michael F. Adams, Mayor Kasim Reed, Greg McGarity and other national and international figures.