Georgia football honors late teammate Devin Willock with Spring Game penalty

Spring games are happening across the college football landscape this weekend. The Georgia Bulldogs are playing their spring game on Saturday afternoon. The back-to-back national champions of the college football world decided to honor one of their former offensive linemen that passed away a few months ago in a tragic car crash. Georgia quarterback Carson Beck took a knee on the first play of the game.

The Red Team took a delay of game penalty on purpose on the first play of the game to honor the late Devin Willock and Chandler LeCroy. They died in a tragic car accident on Jan. 15. Players took their helmets off and pointed to the sky.

Check out a picture of the tribute below.

Red Team takes deliberate delay of game penalty on game’s first play to honor the late Devin Willock and Chandler LeCroy, who tied in a car accident on Jan. 15. Players took off helmets and pointed to sky. pic.twitter.com/LxvtQxxaTC

— Chip Towers AJC (@ctowersajc) April 15, 2023

The Georgia football spring game started at 4:00 PM ET and the game is being nationally televised on ESPN.

The car crash occurred 12 hours after Georgia celebrated its recent national championship with a victory parade and event at Sanford Stadium.

Upon the initial tragedy, Georgia released a statement on Willock and LeCroy.

“The entire Georgia family is devastated by the tragic loss of football student-athlete Devin Willock and football staff member Chandler LeCroy. Two other members of the football program were injured in the accident. They are both in stable condition, and we will continue to monitor their status with medical personnel.

“Devin and Chandler were two special people who meant so much to the University of Georgia, our football program and our athletic department.  We ask that everyone keep their families in your prayers during this very difficult time.

“The UGA Athletic Association will work with our medical team as well as our mental health and performance personnel to make sure we are providing the best support possible for our staff and student-athletes who are processing this grief. We can provide no further comment at this time but ask that everyone continue to keep those involved in your prayers.”

Willock, a New Jersey native, had just wrapped up his third season at Georgia, where he appeared in all 15 games and started two of them. LeCroy was a UGA graduate with a masters in sports management and policy.

It’s good for the Georgia football team to return to the field and have a return to normalcy as part of their healing process. The Bulldogs begin their quest for three national championships in a row when they face off against the UT-Martin Skyhawks. That one will be played on Saturday, Sept. 2.

On3’s Nick Kosko and Chandler Vessels also contributed to this article.