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Mark Richt and Tra Battle's story important to hear through the tears

On3 imageby:Wes Blankenship•02/25/22
On3 image
JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 28: Tra Battle # 25 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts on the field during the game against the Florida Gators at Alltel Stadium on October 28, 2006 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Gators defeated the Bulldogs 21-14. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Somehow, Mark Richt and Tra Battle are still able to talk about their darkest moment together.

Richt is the reason why anything after it feels bright.

Just because they’re able to reflect on Battle’s near suicide attempt doesn’t mean it’s easy. For Mark Richt and his former player, the weight of that day lingers in their tear-filled eyes.

Battle reflected on his thoughts at the time, not long after his former Georgia football teammates Paul Oliver and Quentin Moses passed away.

Oliver took his own life in 2013. Moses passed in a house fire four years later.

Battle felt lost, and contemplated suicide in Athens.

“‘If I go out right now, I could still go out a winner,'” Battle reflected to FOX5 Atlanta.

“So I drove to a bridge.”

Help was just a phone call to Mark Richt away

In one blessed glimmer of clarity, Battle decided to call his former coach.

Fortunately, Mark Richt picked up the phone.

“These guys know I love them,” Richt tearfully told FOX5.

“To be able to be there in that moment was huge.”

Battle’s near suicide turned into a night of prayer at Richt’s house.

From that point on, therapy and intense focus on his faith gave Battle the hope he once lost.

“Whatever you experience, whatever you go through, that perseverance is the testimony that someone needs to get them through their next hardship,” Battle told FOX5’s Miles Garrett.

“If it’s just one person, then it was worth it.”

A lasting impact that shouldn’t be ignored

Richt was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. You can watch his humble conversation about that with former Georgia quarterback DJ Shockley here.

No matter what comes Mark Richt’s way, or Tra Battle’s, they now share a bond and a platform that nothing can destroy.

Hopefully, their transparency and vulnerability will resonate with those who need to hear it most.

I don’t know if you or someone you know needs these resources. Obviously, I pray that you never do.

We don’t all have a Mark Richt that we can call (wouldn’t it be great if we did?)

Here are some places that may be able to help, if you ever feel like no one out there can.





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