Dominick Blaylock, Tykee Smith have marquee moments in injury recoveries
ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia’s 55-0 win over Vanderbilt included a pair of marquee moments for a pair of players that have overcome ACL injuries in their career. Defensive back Tykee Smith both forced and recovered a fumble while wide receiver Dominick Blaylock scored his first touchdown since the injury. Both have contributed to the Bulldogs’ success so far this season, but these moments meant a little bit more for obvious reasons.
“The confidence is definitely a big part, each week getting better and better. I remember last year at this time we were getting ready for Kentucky and I was out that game, so I’m just happy to be out there this time around,” Smith, who tore his ACL this week last year, said. “It felt good. Like I said, to be out there this time with the guys, I cherish that.”
“It feels great. I couldn’t have done it without my teammates like I said, but it was a great feeling being back in the end zone, being a part of this team,” Blaylock added on his own accomplishment. “Just looking in the stands, seeing all the red and all the fans, it was awesome. Just a great experience all around.”
Smith and Blaylock weren’t the only ones to soak in the special moments. Their teammates did too. Guys like Rian Davis, who also went through an ACL injury during his career, and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint have seen the work that they had to put in to get back to this point of being able to contribute.
“Me and Dom, we both came in the same year together. We both had similar injuries so we were in rehab around the same time,” Davis said. “We’ve grown together. Also with Tykee. Me and Tykee were hurt around the same time last year, so it’s always good to see them boys go out there and do well and make plays because I know what they’ve been through. I can relate to them.”
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“It felt amazing to be honest. I know he’s been through a number of injuries, a lot of adversity, and to see him come in and work everyday, grind every day and for all that work to pay off, it’s really heartwarming,” Rosemy-Jacksaint added. “Everybody was exciting for him. I was excited for him. I’m just glad he was able to get in today, and I just keep rooting for him.”
And contrary to what you might believe, Blaylock said he wouldn’t change a thing about his journey. It was absolutely challenging, but to have it pay off in the way that it did today made it absolutely worth the work.
“I wouldn’t change a thing, but I would believe you,” Blaylock said about the battles he went through to get back on the field after not one but two ACL injuries. “The most challenging part was probably the second injury. That was a tough time for me, but knowing now how much work I’ve put in, to see the results, it’s awesome.”
Georgia is off this coming week, a much needed bye for the beat up Bulldogs. Then it’s back to business in a big way with a stretch of four tough games remaining on the SEC schedule. Rival Florida awaits on October 29th before a battle against Tennessee that’s expected to go a long way towards deciding the SEC East. Finally, it’s a pair of games away from home for the Bulldogs as they travel to Mississippi State and Kentucky, both of whom are ranked as of today, to finish out the SEC slate.
