Kirby Smart praises Stetson Bennett's performance, what he's meant to Georgia

A story so good, you almost wouldn’t believe it if someone turned it into a movie script. Stetson Bennett has won another national championship for Georgia, doing so in dominant fashion on Monday night. He will leave Athens as one of the all-time greats, especially after this kind of performance.

Nobody has defended Bennett harder over the years than his head coach Kirby Smart. While there is a personal connection between the two, Smart wanted to focus on what Bennett meant to the University of Georgia during his postgame interview.

“Well, he’s meant a lot to me personally because of what he’s gone through and what how’s put up with from the outside noise,” Smart said. “But to this university — to a kid that was told he was not good enough — to come back and win two national championships. He’s really phenomenal. He did some things tonight that are just electric. And he’s just one of a kind, he’s a special football player.”

Smart as sent out a possible message to NFL teams as Bennett looks forward to his next football chapter.

“He should get many opportunities to keep playing,” Smart said.

Bennett was doubted even while Georgia was making their national championship run a year ago. Losing in the SEC Championship to Alabama, there was people still wanting him replaced heading into the College Football Playoff.

Of course, he got over the hump in Indianapolis and continued the magical run into the 2022 season.

Georgia cruised along for most of the year and got into the national championship game thanks to a missed kick as time expired in the Peach Bowl against Ohio State. Bennett then put any doubt to bed against TCU, putting on the performance of a lifetime out west.

Bennett set multiple records along the way at different levels. He became one of three quarterbacks to have a rushing touchdown in national championship history. Both came in the first quarter as well, making Georgia’s presence known up against the TCU known early.

Then, Aaron Murray saw a nearly decade old record broken, with Bennett taking the Georgia single season passing record. A touchdown pass to Ladd McConkey gave the honor to Stetson Bennett, despite the Bulldogs still having a strong run identity.

Smart will continue to sing the praises of his quarterback for years to come. It’s easy too when there are two national championships attached to the resume.