You’ve heard of the legends of Jesse James, Johnny Appleseed or maybe even King Arthur. Furman also has a legend of its own, one that tailgates near the rugby field at every football game. The “Flagman,” also known as Michael Cheatham, is a 1973 Furman graduate known for his purple flag. Many flags have been flown inside Paladin Stadium, but Cheatham’s is presumably the longest-standing.
“There have been some folks, mostly students, who’ve waved flags over the years, but they are temporary. I’m always here,” Cheatham said.
The tradition of waving a Furman flag at football games started in 1985. Cheatham has been there ever since to wave his own. The famous flag was purchased for $25 at the Furman Bookstore. His nickname originated from Georgie McMakin, a former manager of Furman’s ticket office. “She gave me the name Flagman, and obviously, it stuck,” Cheatham said. To put the longevity of this flag in perspective, current Furman head football coach Clay Hendrix was a senior at Furman in 1985.
Michael and his wife, Jennifer Cheatham ‘73, attended many Furman athletics events as students. As young adults, they would drive up from Columbia, S.C. for Homecoming or The Citadel game every so often, but their commitment to attending every Furman football game, home and away, began in 1981 when they moved back to Greenville.
When he’s not at a tailgate or waving his flag, Michael works as a pastor at Zoar Chapel in Greer, S.C., and Jennifer is retired.
The Cheathams arrive at Furman five hours before every game. They tailgate at away games, as well, but their home setup is much larger than it is on the road. This year, Cheatham added another Furman flag to his tent, with #97 on it to honor the late Bryce Stanfield ‘24.
Throughout the years, the Cheathams have traveled alongside the Furman football team as they’ve played all over the country. Since 1981, the Cheathams have been to 460 Furman games (as of Homecoming 2024), and have only missed 11 games total. The Cheathams have followed Furman football to Texas, Arizona, North Dakota and most recently Montana, when the Paladins played the Montana Grizzlies in the 2023 FCS Playoffs. They have even seen the Dins play in a few National Championship games.
Cheatham described an “affection” for Pocatello, Idaho, where the Paladins won the 1988 National Championship. They also went to Tacoma, Wash. where the Dins competed for another championship just three years prior, but he says the most memorable was when Furman beat UNC Chapel Hill in 1999 28-3.
Another game that stands out to him was Furman’s 28-23 victory over South Carolina in 1982. “That was probably the most exciting one I’ve ever been to.” To this day, he still remembers key points from many games, including how the Paladins could have beaten the Gamecocks by more than just five points.
When asked why he began waving his famous flag, “We just love Furman, and we love football,” Cheatham said. So, if you’re ever near the rugby field on a Furman football game day, look up at Mr. and Mrs. Flagman’s tailgate and see the Furman flag proudly displaying a legacy of fandom that has spanned decades.
