Kirby Smart gives Stetson Bennett GOAT status in Athens with College Football Hall of Fame questions

Stetson Bennett had a storybook career with Georgia. From being a walk-on to being a back-to-back national champion, Bennett was largely overlooked and often doubted in his career. That’s all changed, though, with head coach Kirby Smart calling him the GOAT.

The question came up after the CFP National Championship game when Smart was asked about Stetson Bennett not being eligible for the Hall of Fame because he was never an All-American.

“The Hall of Fame thing, I have no idea,” Kirby Smart admitted.

“I would like to say congratulation to Coach Richt, who got elected into the College Football Hall of Fame today, I think. I text him earlier and so happy for him, and he texts back immediately, ‘Kick that ass tonight,’ and I knew he was behind us and really happy for him.”

Smart, while sitting next to Bennett, admitted that he didn’t entirely know the requirements to make it into the Hall of Fame, but said that he’s sure that Bennett’s legacy is secured moving forward.

“But, should this guy go in? That’s a long time away. I think 20 years ago when he comes back we’ll be able to talk about that, but I don’t know those prerequisites. I know he’s got GOAT status in Athens, Georgia forever.”

Kirby Smart on his son crying over Stetson Bennett

Every Georgia fan is going to miss Stetson Bennett. However, one fan might just miss him most of all–Kirby Smart’s son.

“To tell you a quick story, I walked back into my office and my 10-year old son, Andrew, is bawling. And I was like oh no. Somebody’s hurt his feelings, thrown him down, or done something to him. I said why are you crying? You’re gonna ruin my moment. And he said, ‘Stetson’s leaving! Stetson’s gone!’ I said he’s 25 years old! He’s gotta go,” Smart said.

“But he’s bawling about Stetson being gone. We’ll have a lot of guys back (but) we’re gonna lose some pretty talented guys,” said Smart. “The disease that creeps into your program is called entitlement and I’ve seen it firsthand. If you can stomp it out with leadership, then you can stay hungry. We have a saying around our place. We eat off the floor. If you’re willing to eat off the floor? You can be special.”