Lewis Cine details moment that will stick with him forever

The Georgia Bulldogs claimed their first national championship since 1980 on Monday night behind a dominant defensive effort anchored by safety Lewis Cine. After giving up big plays to the Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship, the secondary stepped up in the rematch by forcing two turnovers to seal the win.

As he looks back at the night one day later, Cine addressed the postgame scene which will live in his head and replay over and over in his mind each night.

“I think it’s probably when the confetti came out, when everyone just ran on the field knowing the game was over,” said Cine. “That’s kind of a picture that will be ingrained in my head forever.

“It’s kind of dope, in my opinion. And years ahead I can just bring my kids and my family over and be, like, I was on this team. I helped and I was a part of something great.”

Lewis Cine played more than just a role in bringing the national championship home, also claiming the defensive player of the game award during the postgame festivities.

Despite his heroics throughout the game, Cine maintains a humble mindset by recounting the achievement and giving credit to others who made the opportunity possible like head coach Kirby Smart.

“A lot of people already know, but last night we made history,” said Cine. “The opportunity, the chance that we got to win and the person we did it for, Coach Smart, he sacrifices a lot for us. He sacrificed a lot for his family. And we didn’t want anything more than to win it all for him.”

Kirby Smart addresses the fans

Following Georgia’s national title win, Kirby Smart took a moment to praise the fans that made the trip to Lucas Oil Stadium. Throughout the team’s stay in Indianapolis, Smart said that Georgia fans were everywhere. That carried over into the stands during the game.

“Dawg Nation showing up here, the tremendous belief in this program, of our fan base,” Smart said after Georgia won the title. “I mean, everywhere we went in Indianapolis we saw our people. Somebody told me it would be 60-40; it felt like 70-30.”

Moving forward, Smart doesn’t want fans to get complacent or spoiled despite now having another national title. Smart wants everyone involved – players, fans, coaches – to stay hungry to keep building off of this season’s momentum.

“I just hope they remember this feeling and understand they don’t need to get spoiled, they need to stay hungry like these players,” Smart added.