AUSTIN, Texas — To see how deep SEC fanhood really is, look no further than the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, where you can find fans who will follow the Georgia Bulldogs to all corners of the country. This includes Matt Boeshore and Jeff Young.
"Georgia is the type of school that gets in your blood so you really can't, like, wash it off," Young said.
They joke about spending their life savings following their beloved team for games, as they visit Austin for the first time.
"We spent ten years getting the UGA license plate in the state of Tennessee," Boeshore said. "Electric. There's a lot going on. We're very happy to be here."
It's an experience also shared by Earnest Greene and Pamela Greene, who are the parents of Bulldogs offensive lineman Earnest Greene.
"Even though it's been busy, I mean, everybody's been accommodating," traveler Earnest Greene said.
The Greene's did not enjoy the fan behavior during the University of Texas at Austin's game against Georgia, where fans threw trash onto the field following a controversial defense pass interference call.
"Things weren't going their way and they just had a temper tantrum," Earnest Greene said.
The weekend also welcomed race fans to the Texas capital city.
Devoted Formula 1 followers Kaitali Singh and Samesh Singh traveled from Seattle to see the Circuit of the Americas United States Grand Prix races.
"It's a source of discussion Sunday mornings, Saturday nights when the TV has to go on to watch international races," Samesh Singh said.
These stories are why the airport will experience one of its top five busiest days Monday.
Lesly Ramirez, a public information officer for the airport, says 36,000 people left Sunday from Austin, while 40,000 are saying "goodbye" Monday.
"The most important thing is to remember to arrive at least 2.5 hours before your domestic flight and 3 for international. But given how busy it is, it's really important to understand what are traffic conditions going to be like," Ramirez said.
Ramirez warns people of the dangers of arriving more than four hours before your flight.
"It's no secret that we're kind of pressed for space here at our airport," Ramirez said.
Austin is an enthusiastic, ever-expanding city whose airport reflects its story.
"Passion runs deep," Young said.
The airport is also in the middle of an expansion program, which includes a group of short and long-term projects. Some of the projects are under construction right now, with several expected to be done in 2026.