Thank you, Seniors

Saturday will be Senior Day for the 2009 Georgia Bulldogs football team. As I prepared the list of departing players I couldn’t believe how fast time has passed. It seemed like just yesterday we got word of the commitment from a big tackle in New Jersey, then another from Ft. Lauderdale. The undefeated quarterback from football powerhouse Independence. All those linebackers. My how time flies.

These Damn Good Dawgs have played a lot of football, spilled a lot of sweat, and represented the University of Georgia with class. I am grateful to each and every one of them.

Some of the contributions have been made without the reward of 93,000 Bulldog faithful. Some of these young men’s contributions came only on the practice fields, on the “scout team”. Their only motivation a simple love for the game and school, a desire to be part of something larger than themselves. Damn Good Dawgs, each and every one.

Then their are those that played in the spotlight, some on an island in man to man coverage, others as the last line of defense. Players like Bryan Evans and Prince Miller whose name is rarely called when everything goes right. They face the best college football has to offer on a weekly basis without the anonymity of a crowd and with television cameras rolling.

Joe Cox, the quarterback that eagerly carries the weight of the Bulldog Nation on his shoulders every time he steps between the lines. Vince Vance who protects him so that he may get the ball to his target Mike Moore despite the opponent’s best efforts.

Geno, Kade, Brandon and Jeff, doing the nasty work in the trenches. Marcus and Darius flying to the football, sacrificing their bodies to make a play.

We have lived through all of these fine young men, and we have lived well.

There was the comeback against Virginia Tech, what a game. The celebration in Jacksonville and the Sugar Bowl. The Blackout of Auburn. They never, ever, lost to Auburn.

Lofty standards were set, standards that couldn’t always be met. Sometimes we fans forget the other guys are busting their tails too. I can’t help but think back to the “tweet” from Michael Moore as the team was riding the bus back from Knoxville. I hope he knows we stayed with them.

I am glad they are Bulldogs. I hope we deserved the commitment they gave us those years ago. I am thankful I get to watch them three more times.

I hope, when the crowd roars Saturday night, they know how much they mean to all of us.

To each of you, I say thanks.

#3 Bryan Evans – S – Jacksonville, FL – Ed White HS
#5* Stephen Braue – DB – Atlanta, GA – Milton HS
#6* Andrew Johnson – S – Athens, GA – Oconee County HS
#14 Joe Cox – QB – Charlotte, NC – Independence HS
#15* Jonathan Batson – QB – Charlotte, NC – Providence Day HS
#23 Prince Miller – CB – Duncan, SC – Byrnes HS
#44 Marcus Washington – DE – Keysville, GA – Burke County HS
#46 Justin Fields – FB – Savannah, GA – Calvary Baptist HS
#47 Chad Gloer – CB – Fayetteville, GA – Starrs Mill HS
#52 Darius Dewberry – LB – Fort Valley, GA – Peach County HS
#56 Geno Atkins – DT – Pembroke Pines, FL – St. Thomas Aquiinas HS
#72 Vince Vance – T – Hinesville, GA – Bradwell Institute
#74 Kevin Perez – G – Miami, FL – Killian HS
#82 Mike Moore – WR – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – American Heritage HS
#87 Vernon Spellman – WR – Marietta, GA – Sprayberry HS
#91 Kade Weston – DT – Red Bank, NJ – Red Bank HS
#93 Brandon Wheeling – DL – Dallas, GA Paulding County HS
#95 Jeff Owens – DT – Sunrise, FL – Plantation HS
#96 Andrew Jensen – K – Lawrenceville, GA – Brookwood HS

Go Dawgs!

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