Georgia Football: Sony Michel deserved his Rose Bowl moment

He’s always been more than just a player:

If there was ever a single moment however that changed Michel’s place in UGA history, it came in December 2016. That was when he, Chubb, Lorenzo Carter and Davin Bellamy announced that the would all return for their senior season. Michel and Chubb in particular had real NFL prospects in front of them despite the poor year.

By deciding to return and have one more year together, those 4 set in motion the season Georgia fans are currently enjoying. Not only did they place their faith in Kirby Smart and his coaching staff to turn things around, they also took up the challenge to be leaders to the young players that had come in.

Michel is certainly a leader. Almost every video you see of the Bulldogs practicing features Sony picking up his teammates, encouraging them to work harder and get better. He is best friends with his biggest competition for playing time. Their friendly rivalry sets the perfect example for how to push and yet support your teammates. On the field, his play this year did a whole lot of talking as well. He returned to playing some snaps on special teams, charging down wold be returners as a gunner and hustling them down on more than one occasion.

It’s one thing to see a guy average more than 8 yards a carry every time he touches the ball and score 17 TD’s in a year. It’s another to see that same guy play special teams and chase down punts. If you want to set people an example of ‘team first’ that’s pretty much the definition right there. Turning down millions of dollars and doing the dirty work for one last shot at winning with his brothers.