Georgia Tech's Celtic knot helmets, explained: How school will pay homage to Dublin during Aer Lingus Classic

Daniel Mader

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Georgia Tech's Celtic knot helmets, explained: How school will pay homage to Dublin during Aer Lingus Classic image

Georgia Tech is showing up in style for the first game of the college football season. 

After a 7-6 record in 2023, the Yellow Jackets will face off against Florida State at noon on Saturday in the first official game of the season. 

The game will be played in Dublin, Ireland. Sticking to that theme, Georgia Tech has a new stripe down its helmet for the matchup — a golden Celtic knot.

So, what is a Celtic knot? And why is Georgia Tech playing in Dublin? The Sporting News fills you in on the Yellow Jackets’ new helmet style and overseas location for Saturday’s game. 

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What is a Celtic knot?

The Celtic knot, which has many adaptations, is a pattern with a long history associated with Christian artwork, manuscriptures, etc. There is no designated meaning for them, but generally, they represent interconnection.

“Celtic” generally refers to languages and cultures related to Scotland, Wales, Ireland and other surrounding countries, explaining Georgia Tech’s decision to use the design in its Dublin matchup with Florida State. 

With its intricate gold stripe down the middle of its helmets, Georgia Tech is sending a nod toward Saturday’s crowd in Ireland. 

Yellow Jackets coach Brent Key spoke on the opportunity to play in a different country Thursday. 

“It’s a great opportunity for us to come here, have a chance to compete on Saturday, in a wonderful city and a wonderful country,” Key said, per The Atlanta Journal Constitution. 

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Why is Georgia Tech football playing in Ireland?

Dublin has become a recurring destination for college football through the years as the sport grows more internationally. 

Back in 1988, the first Ireland game between Boston College and Army was played, then called the “Emerald Isle Classic.”

Since then, there’s been a number of other college football games played in Ireland — Saturday’s game between Florida State and Georgia Tech will be the ninth overall, and the fifth in Aviva Stadium. 

In fact, Georgia Tech has already played in Dublin before. Back in 2016, it defeated Boston College 17-14, also in Aviva Stadium. 

Now called the “Aer Lingus College Football Classic,” college football in Dublin is nearly an annual tradition. The ACC announced in March that Georgia Tech and Florida State would match up in Ireland to begin the 2024 season.

There are two more Dublin games already scheduled in the future: Iowa vs. Kansas State in 2025 and Pitt vs. Wisconsin in 2027. 

Having college football games in Ireland has allowed for the growth of the sport while traveling fans can experience a unique atmosphere and culture around the game. 

With its Celtic knot helmet stripes Saturday, Georgia Tech is honoring one of college football’s most celebrated destinations in recent history.

Daniel Mader

Daniel Mader Photo

Daniel Mader joined Sporting News as an editorial intern in 2024 following his graduation from Penn State University. Previously, he covered Penn State, high school and local sports beats for NBC Sports, the Centre Daily Times, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Daily Collegian and LancasterOnline. He grew up in Lancaster, Penn., with a love for baseball that’ll never fade, but could also talk basketball or football for days.