Georgia Football Honors Devon Gales

The Georgia football team honored injured Southern University player Devon Gales during the first quarter of Saturday’s game against Georgia Southern. 

“There is no tradition more worthy of envy, no institution worthy of such loyalty as the University of Georgia.”

Devon Gales first stepped onto the pristine grass of Sanford Stadium back on September 26^th. His Southern University Jaguars were set to take on the Bulldogs in what was to be a great experience for his FCS team. Little did he know that on that day his world would be forever changed.

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In the third quarter, Gales was involved in a collision with Georgia kicker Marshall Morgan on a kickoff. He suffered injuries to his spine and has been rehabbing at Atlanta’s Shepard Center since the injury. Since that game, it has been well documented the amount of support the UGA players, coaches, fans, and community have shown towards Gales.

Saturday night Gales returned to Sanford Stadium for the first time since his injury to be honored by the team on the field. He was sporting his custom “Gales” jacket with the Georgia “G” on it, and he was beaming from ear to ear with smiles. The Bulldog-faithful gave him a standing ovation, further accepting him into the Georgia family.

The support of this team and community is a direct reflection of their coach and the principles of the university. From the visits to Atlanta to see Gales, to the letters, and then the ceremony on Saturday, this Georgia family is about more than sports.

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These actions are the types of things that should be making the headlines. Courageous stories like the one that Gales tells and his progress should be more of the reason why we love sports. The overwhelming love and support for a student-athlete that did not even go to Georgia is the compassion that needs to be talked about more.

The feeling inside the stadium for those few precious minutes was not only wonderful it was also heart-warming. Bulldog fans give their continued prayers and support for Gales as he continues to make progress.