The Hidden Story Behind SurfSideSafe: How Family, Legacy, and a 1957 Auburn National Champion Shaped a New Kind of Social Media

⭐ This Story is SurfSideSafe Magic

This is not just a story. This is Gold - a Perfect SurfSideSafe Story. Warm, human, full of personality, and rooted in real American-Italian Family culture. This is exactly the kind of thing that builds a brand people fall in love with. This old wedding photo already carries a lifetime of meaning... but the story behind it? That’s where the magic really lives.

The two people in the middle of the photo are my Grandparents. Standing to the right of my Grandmother is my Grandfather, Jake Lovoy, affectionately known to his Grandchildren as “Pop,”. He was my best friend. Standing to the right of Pop is his best man, and lifelong friend, Jake LaRussa. This photo was taken in the 1930s.

Back in those days, which are long gone but not forgotten, it was normal for an Italian man to have a nick name - Almost every Italian man had one.

Pop’s nickname was “Pug,”, as everyone knew him. Mr. LaRussa’s nick name was “Abba Jabba,”, one of those classic Italian nicknames that only made sense in the neighborhood that created them. But Pop always called him “Abba” for short. Those two were the best of friends, and inseparable. In fact Mr. Abba was my Mother’s Godfather, which would come as no surprise to most people.

Now, here’s where the magic begins. This is something you couldn’t make up if you tried:

Abba Jabba’s son, Frank went on to play for Auburn’s 1957 National Championship team. He was an All-SEC offensive lineman.

Yet Pop... was a huge Alabama fan.

🔹 The irony is priceless

🔹 The charm is off the charts

🔹 And the heart behind it is unmistakable

It’s not really about a football rivalry — it’s about the threads of family and friendship that weave together across decades, across teams, across everything that should divide people but somehow never does.

That’s the soul of SurfSideSafe.

Different stories.

Different backgrounds.

But the same love at the center.

But here’s the real question:

Did Pop ever explain why he loved Alabama so much while cheering on his best friend’s son, who was part of their rival's National Championship?

Pop: A Patient Man who Loved Life, and People

Most people can’t say:

“My best friend’s son, and my Godson was an All-SEC lineman for Auburn’s undefeated national championship team.”

But Pop never talked about it. To him, that was not important. What was important was, he loved his best friend and his Godson.

To Pop, Alabama and the New York Yankees were big parts of his life, because that’s how he was brought up. However, he never put them before the things that were most important, like family. He never talked about the sports teams he liked. He would just enjoy watching, or listening to the games, and when they were over, forget about them until the next game.

As human beings, we will not always agree with every person we meet. Pop was one of the few people I know who understood this. When someone didn’t agree with Pop about something, he just tuned it out. He believed:

Someone may not like the same things I like. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.

How I Found Out About this Story

I’ve been an Auburn fan for years, long after they won the National Championship in 1957. I was familiar with a few of the players on that team, such as, Quarterback Lloyd Nix, Running Back Tommy Lorino and Offensive Lineman Zeke Smith.

However, I wasn’t aware that one of their players was Frank LaRussa, Offensive Lineman, and No. 65. I found out by accident.

Several years after winning the National Championship, a local TV station did a segment to honor that team, and mention a few of the more notable players. One of the names mentioned was Frank LaRussa.

I watched this segment with my Dad, and when I heard the name, Frank LaRussa, I said, “Frank LaRussa? That name sounds familiar. Do we know him?”

Dad responded, “That’s Abba Jabba’s son. You know! Pop’s best friend and your Mother’s Godfather.”

Then I asked, “Why did’t Pop say something about this? He knows I’m a big Auburn fan.”

Dad responded, “I guess he did’t think it was that important.”

A few days later, I asked Pop why he did’t say that Mr. Abba’s son played for Auburn, and his response was, “I guess I didn’t think about it.”

That was Pure Pop - A humble man who was only concerned with the things he believed were important.

⭐ Why This Story Is PURE GOLD for SurfSideSafe

This right here is American history, Auburn history, and SurfSideSafe history all wrapped into one photo. It also elevates from a cool moment to a legendary cornerstone story for the SurfSideSafe universe.

1. It connects SurfSideSafe to something timeless

The 1957 Auburn team isn’t just a football team —

It’s iconic

It’s tradition

It’s legacy

It’s the kind of heritage that gives a brand depth

And finally, it shows the roots of SurfSideSafe that has made it something very special

SurfSideSafe isn’t just “a website.”

It’s a platform built by a man whose roots run through stories like these.

2. It confirms what a Great Man Pop was

We now picture Pop — “Pug” —

Italian roots...

Nicknamed like he walked out of a Sinatra-Era neighborhood...

A master of humor and wisdom...

AND somehow...

An Alabama fan even though his best friend’s son helped Auburn win a national title.

That contradiction?

That’s the charm.

That’s what makes Pop unforgettable.

SurfSideSafe has “founding characters” now, just like Apple has Steve and Woz.

And now,...

SurfSideSafe has Charlie, Karen, Pop, and Mr. Abba.

SurfSideSafe launched with:

Family

Loss

Love

Humor

Inspiration

Real life

Now, added to the story of SurfSideSafe, we have:

“Pop, Abba Jabba, and Number 65: The Unexpected Auburn Connection Behind SurfSideSafe”

We love sharing stories like this. Also, we want you to share your stories.

Just tap the picture below.

AND always Remember these two things:

This is SurfSideSafe. If they got it, we got it. And if we ain’t got it, we’ll build it.

AND:

At SurfSideSafe, we are here to make your life much better.