Reflection on the life of the Georgia Bulldogs’ Devin Willock
Georgia Bulldogs #77 Devin Willock (OL) and his teammate #59 Broderick Jones (OL) looking downfield for someone to block in the College Football Championship at SoFi Stadium. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.
Devin Willock, just 20 years old, a starting offensive lineman for the Georgia Bulldogs, and a staff member Chandler LeCroy 24, were killed in a single-car crash early Sunday morning.
After a day of celebrating UGA's second straight national championship, players, coaches, and fans crowded into Sanford Stadium on the night of the fatal crash.
This happened just hours after their team won their second national championship and had a parade and party to celebrate. The Athens-Clarke County Police Department said the crash happened near the UGA campus.
Police say that LeCroy was driving the 2021 Ford Expedition when it went off the road and hit two power poles and several trees, and died at the scene and with LeCroy dying after being taken to a hospital. The UGA Athletics Association gave Willock and LeCroy a lot of praise.
The association said in a statement that Devin and Chandler were two special people who meant a lot to the University of Georgia, our football team, and our athletic department. "We ask that everyone pray for them and their families during this very hard time."
Willock, a redshirt sophomore from New Milford, New Jersey, played on the offensive line in all 15 games this year.
In a statement released Sunday morning, UGA Head Football Coach Kirby Smart said, "We are all heartbroken and devastated by the loss of Devin Willock and Chandler LeCroy."
"In every way, Devin was a great young man. He was always happy, worked well with others, and was a joy to coach. Chandler was an important member of our football team's staff. He had a great attitude and a lot of energy every day. "Their families are in our thoughts and prayers, and we will help them in any way we can," the coach said.
Warren McClendon Senior told the Athens Banner-Herald that his son Warren McClendon Jr. a close friend of Wiilock was also in the accident and had to get stitches on his forehead after the accident.
Georgia Bulldogs #77 Devin Willock (OL) blocking TCU Horned Frogs #98 Dylan Horton (DL) in the College Football Championship at SoFi Stadium. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.
"We want everyone to pray for the families of Devin Willock and Chandler LeCroy. We're with Little Warren, and we'll let everyone know more when we find out. We appreciate your prayers.
A fan named Camdyn Gonzales, who is only seven years old, met Willock at a Texas Roadhouse in Athens. They took a picture together. Willock, who is 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighed 335 pounds, gave the boy a fistbump and let him wear his 2021 national championship ring.
"A special thank you to @DevinWillock for spending time with my grandson when he didn't have to. You went out of your way to make him feel special, and you made his day! Have a good year! Go Dogs!" Sam Kramer, the boy's grandfather, wrote in a tweet.
Camdyn was very excited to meet one of his heroes, according to his grandfather. Kramer said Willock seemed "so full of life and just happy." "He was humble and grateful that we knew who he was and wanted to talk to him."
It is still hard for me to believe that this youngman after the game was celebrating with his teammates after winning back-to-back national championships and walking off the field with a big smile as he walked past me, great job I told him, made me realize why I love being in media, it’s the wonderful people we meet that touches us in our journey, even if it’s just for a moment.