Kirby Smart issued some trash talk this offseason about 1 of Georgia’s biggest annual rivals. Smart deemed The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party as the “Georgia-Florida game” instead of the “Florida-Georgia” game.

That led to a rebuke on Facebook by former Florida head coach Steve Spurrier, who enjoyed great success against the Bulldogs.

“Heard Kirby said it was the Georgia-Florida Game today during the SEC Media Day appearance,” Spurrier said via On3. “He might wear a visor, but until he wins 11 out of 12 of the FLORIDA-Georgia game, I think we all know what it’s really called.”

However, as the rivalry contest against Florida slated for Oct. 28 approaches, Smart has expressed admiration for the Head Ball Coach. If Georgia wins the SEC for a 4th consecutive season this year, Smart will tie the conference record established by Spurrier from 1993-96.

“First off, I wasn’t aware of that. He’s an incredible person and man. Have a lot of respect for him. He abused me as a player, but that’s kind of neither here nor there now,” Smart said. “I look at it as what he’s done in college football and the game in general is really incredible.”

Smart has mellowed on his feelings for Spurrier as time has passed. The 2 have established a bond that extends to their families.

“I’ve gotten to know him a little better now, I guess the last 10 years we’ve played in a golf tournament every summer. Just enjoy being around him,” Smart said. “His wife has been really good to my wife (Spurrier’s wife) Geri has been incredible to a young head coach’s wife starting out. She spent some time with my wife about those duties.”

Smart is effusive in his praise for the Spurrier and is thankful they’ve been able to form a positive relationship after his time playing against him.

“Just a great man, and just a great personality. So many Georgia fans dislike and despise him for the years he spent there, but he’s got a great personality and a great sense of humor and I just enjoy being around him, have a lot of respect for him,” Smart said. “It’s nice to know that we have a chance to do that because that might remove the teams I was a part of that got beat so many times.”