ATLANTA — A new ringing tradition brought together Georgia's leaders sounding off the start of the college football season.
Gov. Brian Kemp, Mayor Andre Dickens and more noteworthy figures were in attendance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday morning to remotely ring the iconic New York Stock Exchange opening bell.
This was the second year leaders gathered to "ring in" the season. The ceremony happened ahead of the inaugural Aflac Kickoff game between Georgia Tech's Yellow Jackets and the Louisville Cardinals. The game is set for Friday evening.
Leaders rung the the bell for the first time in the Peach State.
Last year, Georgia representatives opened the season from the NYSE trading floor in New York.
Gary Stokan, CEO and president of the Peach Bowl, said the event is important as leaders from all over the city gather to celebrate college football.
"I think it's huge to any anytime you can get the governor and the mayor together, along with 15 CEOs from the city. We want to just reinforce that Atlanta is the capital of college football. It's going to be unique atmosphere," he said.
He added on Friday at the event that college football brings great exposure and financial gain to the Peach State and Atlanta.
"It was just a great morning. When you think about these games four of the top conventions on an annual basis in Atlanta are college football games," Stokan said.
Virgil Miller, President of Aflac, who is sponsoring the kick off said that Friday's game will help bring awareness to causes that matter.
"All types of people of all ages, the family, come together to watch college football. The Peach Bowl and Aflac both believe in giving back to help kids that are battling cancer and other disorder," said Miller.
Stokan hopes the tradition will continue next year.
Among the others in attendance were Georgia Tech President Angel Cabrera, University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue, Georgia Tech Athletic Director J Batt, University of Louisville officials and more.
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