Georgia football: Sometimes, sports isn’t all about competition

For many, sports make the world go round. People depend on sports for entertainment, relaxation after a long day of work, and a way to escape the real world.

Sports create fellowship, comradery and for many, it pays the bills. Though many of us forget that sports are oftentimes much deeper than the game itself.

Even now during a time of social distancing and isolation, sports fans have still found ways to bond, come together, and support each other through events such as Georgia football’s virtual G-Day and replays of historical games. Feelings of standing in Sanford Stadium under the red lights or watching on the big screen at home with friends unites us all.

In 2015, Georgia football matched up against Southern University and everything was smooth sailing for the Bulldogs until a life-changing event happened to one of the Jaguars’ players.

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On a kickoff return, Southern Wide Receiver Devon Gales set up to make a block on Georgia’s kicker, Marshall Morgan, when suddenly Gales lost feeling in the lower half of his body on the way to the ground after the crown of his helmet struck Morgan in the chest.

Gales was rushed to the hospital where he would be diagnosed with a spinal injury. He was paralyzed from the waist down and his football career, his independence, and his remaining experiences as a college student-athlete were over.

The University of Georgia immediately jumped in to help Gales and his family by taking them in as one of their own. Then head coach Mark Richt played a big role in helping Devon on his road to recovery and then after Richt’s departure, UGA assistant Bryant Gantt stepped in to fill the void.

Instead of looking at his situation through a negative lens, Gales saw a way he could turn it into something positive. On social media Gales would post videos of the progress he was making and always maintained a positive attitude on his journey to accomplishing the goal of one day walking on his own.

A year and a half later, Gales posted this video of himself taking his first steps since his injury with some assistance and inspiring everyone how far hard work can take you.

Also in the year 2017, UGA announced the start of a fundraiser to help build the Gales family a wheelchair accessible home for them to live in. Fans and even former players such as Benjamin Watson immediately jumped in to help the Gales family.

After reaching their mark in July 2019, Gales and his family were finally able to move into their brand new home in Jefferson, GA where he is currently an assistant coach on the Jefferson Dragons High School football team.

When discussing his relationship with the former Georgia football kicker Marshall Morgan, Gales describes him as “family’ and as a “brother.” Gales was even invited and attended Marshall and his wife Madison’s wedding in March of 2017.

Gales can still be seen on social media updating everyone on how his recovery is going, and more times than not he can be seen repping the Georgia G in his photos and videos.

He is an inspiration to us all and proves that in difficult circumstances, staying positive, working hard, and staying engaged will help overcome difficulties.

It is easy to get caught up in the accolades and the winning side of sports, but sometimes it is not about the game that is being played on the field. It’s about the family that is created around it and knowing that no matter what life throws at you there is a large group of people who will step in and lend a hand during a time of need.