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I often stopped by Sanders’ law office at the corner of North Avenue and Peachtree mostly to reminisce about his business and political career and, of course, UGA football. He was proud of his time as a Georgia quarterback and was grateful that athletics paid for his education.

One day, he reminisced about his election as governor in 1962. He was the first modern governor elected by popular vote as the longtime county unit system was struck down by the Supreme Court.

His opponent was former governor Marvin Griffin, a devout segregationist, while Sanders was a progressive and said he would not close public schools if a federal order to do that came about.

Griffin was a classic raconteur. He could spin a yarn as well as anybody. He could take over a party and leave everybody refreshed and uplifted. He was the Jerry Clower of the political brigade.

One Friday night, Sanders was having dinner at the Cloister at Sea Island before the annual Georgia- Florida game. He was hosting and entertaining a group of VIP guests who were prospects for doing business with the state.

Early in the evening, he saw Marvin Griffin appear at the hostess stand, obviously without a reservation, which prompted the hostess to negatively shake her head — a signal that the former governor was not going to be seated.

Sanders went over and invited Griffin and his wife to join his party. In no time Griffin began his classic story telling. Sanders’ guests were soon overwhelmed, captivated, and spellbound by Griffin’s enrapturing humor.

When dinner was over, Sanders’ guests kept asking him, “How in the world did you defeat a fellow like that?”

Will those days ever return? Doubtful. Mudslinging seems entrenched forever, but it is nice to remember when it was different.