One of my favorite Bulldogs when I was a kid, Fred Lane was both a highly-touted running back and track star coming out of Columbia (Decatur, Ga.) High School in 1983. At only 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, Lane was promptly moved by the Bulldogs to wide receiver, whereby he exhibited great elusive and shifty speed, earning him the nickname “Fast Freddie.”

In four seasons at Georgia, Lane contributed in several facets of the game. He made 36 receptions for 555 yards and two touchdowns, rushed 40 times for 357 yards and two touchdowns, returned 34 punts for 302 yards and a touchdown, and returned 25 kickoffs for a 23.5-yard average. Lane’s 8.9 career rushing average still ranks as the second highest in UGA football history of those with at least 30 carries. In addition, he was the third Bulldog (following Zippy Morocco and Kent Lawrence)—and remains the latest—to gain 300 yards rushing, receiving, on kickoff returns, and via punt returns in a career.

After a short stint in the NFL, Lane began a long professional career, including currently as a cigar vendor and owner of, fittingly named, Fast Lane Cigar Cellar. I recently caught up with Fred from his home in the Buckhead area of Atlanta:

PG: In the early 1980s, Columbia produced some notable major-college football talent, right?

FL: Let me brag on my high school real quick… Before my time, there was “Glidin’” Glynn Harrison, who went to Georgia where he was a star running back. Just around the time I was at Columbia, there was Randy Scott, who would play over at Alabama, Antonio Render and Henry Harris both went to Georgia like me, the Graves brothers—Rory and Reggie (both Ohio State)—Tony Slaton and Rod Saddler went to Texas A&M, Tony Barkley (Tennessee), John Houston (Florida State), Marvin Arnold (Auburn), and David Edwards and Ed White (both Illinois). Man, I could go on. There was an array of guys. Also going to Georgia from my class was Gwen Torrence (one of the greatest female track athletes in history) and Kara Houston (1985 All-American in track). While I was there, the school was called “Columbia U.” because of the number of blue-chip athletes who came out of it, and Raymond Bonner was both the head football and girls track coach. He was the best coach I ever had, and there may not be another guy who put as many high school athletes into big-time colleges in less time than Coach Bonner.

PG: Besides track, you were a running back at Columbia—but never a receiver?

FL: I started playing football in the 10th grade, and also ran track. We won the state title in track my senior year and, as a junior, were runner-up state champions to Waycross in football. I played running back my junior and senior years—never played wide receiver a day in my life until I got to Georgia. Back then, a quarterback, and not really a running back, might be converted to wide receiver.

PG: Why did you decide to attend UGA?

FL: At first, I was going to sign with either Tennessee or Michigan until Coach [Charley] Whittemore gave me some good insight. Whittemore, who was recruiting Henry [Harris] really hard, said he was the wide receivers coach and I could get some playing time immediately at receiver, but was going to have to prove myself first. Although he didn’t initially recruit me, he was the main reason I came to Georgia. Another reason was my grandmother—a really good lady—who raised me. And, going to Georgia meant she’d only be an hour or so away.

PG: Were you disappointed to be moved from running back to receiver?

FL: Every other school recruiting me was going to play me at running back. But, I was a small guy and, man, those classes of running backs when I was at Georgia: David McCluskey and “Pulpwood” Smith were in my class; Cleveland Gary, Lars Tate, and Tony Mangrum came in the next year; and in ’85, it was Tim [Worley] and Keith [Henderson]. So, the whole time, I was fine at wide receiver. I knew I’d play more and have more exposure there. For me, it was like, do you want to play [at receiver] or sit over here on the bench [as a running back]?

PG: Did you get to play immediately as a true freshman in 1983?

FL: Actually, no—not in the season opener against UCLA in Athens. And, I was a little disappointed, and was even told that I was going to be redshirted. I thought: Are you serious? I’m not going to let this defeat me. The following week, we had a bye week before playing Clemson the week after. During that bye week, we scrimmaged at Sanford Stadium and I had a big performance. After that, the coaches decided that I would be added into the mix.

PG: And, back then, it was rather rare for a true freshman to see significant playing time under head coach Vince Dooley.

FL: I know, Coach Dooley wasn’t really high on playing freshmen. Even Herschel [Walker] didn’t start his first game as a freshman. [Cornerback] Tony Flack did. He was the first true freshman under Dooley to start an opening game (Clemson, 1982). Tony was my roommate and he gave me inspiration when I didn’t play against UCLA, telling me to keep my head up and all.

PG: So, you were fine moving to wide receiver during a time when Georgia averaged only seven to eight completions per game—and probably half of those were caught by running backs and tight ends?

FL: I’ll put it like this, we weren’t a throwing team, and I think we had so much potential if we would have had more of a balanced attack. We had some great receivers: Cassius [Osborn], Jimmy Hockaday, Herman [Archie]. We knew we were each only going to get one or two passes—if that—thrown our way each game, and we better make the best of them. But, we also knew that Georgia was “Running Back U.”—still is to this day.

PG: By the Kentucky game your senior season of 1986, you had rushed for more than 200 yards during your career on flanker end-arounds, but never had really played running back. So, how was it to ironically yet fittingly play the tailback position against the Wildcats in Lexington? (Sharing the tailback role with Tate, Lane rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown on nine carries in a 31-9 win over Kentucky.)

FL: Both Tim and Keith had injured their knees. So, it was like the coaches kind of looked around and were like, who’s left [to play running back]? Well, there’s this 165-pound dude (laughing). It was a night ballgame, and I remember it was muddy and wet. I made some nice cutbacks that night, making me kind of feel like I was back in high school. I played at running back the next game too (Lane rushed for 48 yards on nine carries against Richmond before Keith Henderson returned from his injury for the Florida game.). I remember Coach [Ray] Goff (running backs coach)—he was funny—saying to me, “See, you get more touches playing running back than wide receiver.”

PG: What were your greatest moments as a Georgia football player?

FL: I guess, it was playing as a freshman. Also, my next year, I ran back a punt against Georgia Tech for a touchdown. But probably more than anything, I’ve always been a people person. So, my biggest highlight of attending UGA was the number of lifelong friends I made while there, and still communicate with today. These are not all football players, but other athletes and regular students—and I’ve made some beautiful relationships with them. I talk regularly with these friends, do charitable golf events with some of them. And, from the older players I know, I’ve built relationships with a lot of younger guys. Now, if I had gone to Michigan or Tennessee, would I have the number of wonderful relationships I have now because of the University of Georgia? I don’t know.

PG: Before I forget to ask, how fast did “Fast Freddie” run the 40?

FL: Well, at the NFL Combine, we each got to run the 40 three times, and I ran it in 4.39, 4.40, and 4.41.

PG: That’s right, you played briefly in the NFL. Tell me about that experience.

FL: I don’t know about “played” but I signed as an undrafted free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals, who then moved to Arizona and became the Phoenix Cardinals. I was on their practice squad for two-and-a-half years. But, you know, that’s why I have so much love and respect for walk-ons in college football because I essentially experienced as much at the pro level. Like being a star in high school but walking on in college, it’s humbling to be a practice squad player after being a star in high school and a standout in college. Still, like I got the opportunity to participate in the NFL, the walk-on can say he got to be a part of a college program.

PG: Since the NFL, what have you done professionally?

FL: Beginning with Bear Stearns in Buckhead, I worked for a host of different brokerage firms—stocks and bonds. I then worked for Federal Express, and then got into the shoe business where I had a shoe store at the Village on Ponce (Ponce de Leon Avenue in Atlanta) for about five years. Now, I’ve been in the cigar business for over 12 years.

PG: Tell me about your cigar business.

FL: My company is Fast Lane Cigar Cellar, which offers customers same-day cigar mobile services. I started my mobile cigar and internet shop simply because I felt the Atlanta area needed an after-hour smoke shop offering services to individuals who desired a great smoke after their local retail shop had closed for the day. I’m an avid golfer, so I’m often the cigar vendor for area golf tournaments. My company also partners with charities, like the United Craftsmen Children’s Shoe Drive and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

PG: Please tell me about your family and, if you have any children, do you see any of them following in your footsteps and playing for the Bulldogs?

FL: I have one child—a 14-year-old son, Gage, and he has no interest in playing football. But, get this, he’s 6-foot-1 and can dunk a basketball with both hands. He plays AAU basketball with the Atlanta Stars. Gage is also a pretty good golfer. He has his PGA Junior Card.

PG: Fred, I appreciate your time and it’s been a pleasure speaking with you. But, before you go, you seem like you have certainly experienced some life lessons. If you were to speak to the UGA football team, what life lesson would you try to convey to the players?

FL: It’s true what is said: Once a Dawg, you’re always a Dawg. Still, once you leave UGA, you got to be able to handle “life.” If you don’t make the best of what you experienced—good or bad—that’s your problem. As a Bulldog player, you got a free four-year deal: no bills, no paying for school, food or housing—no nothing. All you have to do is stay healthy, stay motivated, stay strong, and make the best out of your opportunities. If you didn’t make the best out of your four years, don’t blame the system—the UGA football program, which some guys actually do blame—but blame yourself. You made the decision to come to Georgia and if you were recruited by the Bulldogs, I’m pretty sure you were recruited by other places. If your decision to come to Georgia didn’t work for you, how are you going to handle life—what are you going to do? It’s up to you to make the best decision. Are you going to lose—or are you going to win?