“It always ended not well”: Lauren Akins’ husband Thomas Rhett narrates reason behind not watching Georgia-Vols game together

Country music star Thomas Rhett and his wife, Lauren Akins, who is known for her philanthropic work, no longer watch the Georgia Bulldogs and Tennessee Volunteers games together. Rhett recently shared the reason on the SEC Network.

Despite a family history of strong Georgia loyalty, Rhett and Akins have navigated a "mixed marriage" in terms of sports fandom.

During a podcast co-hosted by Marty Smith and Ryan McGee on the SEC ESPN Network, Rhett explained,

“We don't watch the Tennessee-Georgia game together anymore,” Rhett said. “We used to, and it always ended not well."

“But my wife bought season tickets to Tennessee Vols, so we end up going to, like, eight or nine Vol games [a year],” he added. “I'm like, where is the love for [Georgia?] – this is supposed to be split,” she added.

Rhett and Akins often avoid watching the Georgia-Tennessee games together because it can get tense. Instead, they keep things friendly when their teams aren't facing off.

Rhett has embraced the situation, even buying a Hendon Hooker jersey, which he found humorous given his Georgia roots.

"I bought a Hendon Hooker jersey," he told Marty & McGee. "Last time I was there."

However, Rhett acknowledged that their arrangement is working for now, partly because Georgia has won the last two national championships.

“Well, it's working now because the Dogs have won the two national championships,” Rhett said. “My dad played football at Georgia in 89. My granddaddy played football at Georgia in like 1951. And so the Dogs culture runs deep in my family,” he added.

As for their four daughters—Willa Gray, Ada James, Lennon Love, and Lillie Carolina—it's still undecided whether they'll root for Georgia or Tennessee.

However, Willa Gray has already experienced some Tennessee excitement, attending a game at Neyland Stadium with her mother and grandmother in 2022 when Tennessee beat Alabama for the first time since 2006.

Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins’ adorable love story

Thomas Rhett and his wife, Lauren Akins, have a love story straight out of a fairytale. They met in first grade in Valdosta, Georgia, and stayed close as best friends before tying the knot in 2012 at 22 years old.

Their sweet romance inspired some of Thomas's biggest hits, like "Die a Happy Man" and "Marry Me."

Lauren Akins (L) and Thomas Rhett arrive at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards - Source: Imagn

Lauren grew up in Madison, Tennessee, and went to Goodpasture Christian School before earning her nursing degree from the University of Tennessee. But when college football season rolls around, things can get a bit lively at the Rhett household.

Thomas Rhett is a passionate University of Georgia Bulldogs fan, while Lauren Akins cheers for the Tennessee Volunteers.