Loran Smith - Brock Bowers

Loran

Smith

Hear ye, hear ye. I’m a little frustrated that one of the greatest stories of the Kirby Smart era just played out and not enough heads were turned, not enough overt passion and exclamation moved front and center, and the chapel bell did not ring a single time. Brock Bowers graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in real estate from the Terry College of Business and everybody yawned. A celebration did not ensue especially when it was warranted in this day when there is so much turmoil with academics getting the back of the hand from so many high school prospects demanding lavish compensation— and could care less about a degree. They’ll be great BIG ME, little team performers.

When Herschel Walker graduated from UGA last December, there was more than modest praise, which was certainly in order. For a man to persevere as No. 34 did was certainly big news. That it took him a near half century to get around to a cap and gown is a study in commitment. Glory! Glory! The degree didn’t change Herschel’s lifestyle, it didn’t bring him a monetary bonus, but it was a milestone to which he had committed many years ago. He did not give up until it came to pass.

The mentality of most parents today for prodigy kids is, “Go for the money. Take care of your family.” Financial reward is obviously a byproduct of athletic accomplishment. Nothing wrong with being prudent. Nothing wrong with being opportunistic. Brock Bowers capitalized on his NIL opportunity, but it is noteworthy that he shared whatever his largesse was with his teammates.

The Brock Bowers graduation story ought to be serenaded from the highest mountaintop. There never has been a greater tradeoff in this country than to play a sport for a free education. But kids today are negotiating for big dollars before they dress out for theirfirstgame. Somethingaboutthat tells me greed has taken over all levels. Furthermore, you don’t compensate the plumber until he finishes the job.

Brock Bowers everybody knows and agrees is a singular athlete. He is gifted in so many ways, but he is just as exceptional as a student athlete in these times as there has ever been. This All-American football player is an All-American boy.

While he played so brilliantly for the University of Georgia, he was as disciplined as a student as he was as an athlete. He attended class, he was diligent with his homework and enjoyed the campus experience the old-fashioned way—just another student being a student. Elementary, yes, and as the old saying goes, you don’t get rave review for making up your bed when that should be a basic in life. However, you tell me how many Brock Bowers stories exist on college campuses today? continued from page

It is not commonly known, but when Bowers signed his first professional contract with the Raiders, he asked for a clause that allowed him to spend his first off season back on campus solely to finish his degree requirements. The Raiders knew that he would take the time when he was not in class, to adhere to a strict off-season workout protocol to be in peak condition when he rejoined the team this summer. Has anybody out there heard anything to top that? In these times? There are countless hurrahs and sidebars for this guy, but not enough has been said about Brock Bowers, the student-athlete. He had the perception and foresight to take care of an important objective in his life and had the commitment to follow through.

What makes this story somewhat out of character for the legion of Georgia graduates in this state is that Brock is not Georgia born and Georgia bred. He doesn’t hail from Valdosta or Waycross or Dublin or Vidalia, a third generation Bulldog who grew up swooning to Redcoat Band music and listening to game highlights from the legendary Larry Munson.

He didn’t know about Uga’s pedigree, and he was not a dyed-in-thewool Bulldog whose family couldn’t wait to pack up the van and leave before daybreak and tailgate in the Sanford Stadium environs eager to celebrate when the Dawgs won and shed a tear when they lost.

However, when he first came here, he was made comfortable by the Southern hospitality that made him and his family feel welcome. My feeling is that he will be a model alumnus just as he was a model student and an extraordinary athlete.

Someday, the guess here is that he will make it back for homecoming and fraternize with his old friends and teammates and maybe have an opportunity to influence the decision of “little Brock Bowers” to play for his alma mater.

And while we are passing out helpings of praise for one of our most recent graduates, let’s send tribute to his parents DeAnna and Warren Bowers. They laid the foundation for this extraordinary athlete to become a solid citizen, an average guy who does not think of himself as a great athlete. Just a lucky one.

We should commission DeAnna and Warren to write a book about how to raise a precocious young athlete with such basics as modesty, humility, honesty, loyalty and genuineness with an appreciation for scholarship, citizenship, and traditional down home manners.

Brock Bowers has always wanted to be considered an everyday man. We have cheered the touchdown maker and now let’s offer hosannas to the scholar athlete.