Georgia Bulldogs Countdown to Kickoff: 47 Days
Would Day 47 of our Georgia football countdown be complete without a look at the name who defined number for the rest of its history in Athens?
That’d be former Bulldog great and current ESPN analyst David Pollack.
Few Bulldogs have been decorated with as many accolades as the Snellville native, but before he was a legend in Athens, Pollack almost hung up the cleats in high school.
You see, while he may have played at over 6-foot-2 and 250-plus pounds, Pollack was small when he began high school and didn’t necessarily enjoy all that came along with being slight on the field.
But he stuck it out and blossomed into his much more formidable frame.
That caught the eyes of several programs, from Florida to Clemson to Ohio State.
Steve Spurrier’s pitch was quite compelling.
Georgia, though, was a definite consideration, and the Bulldogs ended up having a major ace in the hole when time came to make a decision.
His girlfriend and future wife, Lindsey, was much closer to campus in Athens.
That would be enough to sway Pollack to become a Bulldog.
And boy, Dawg nation is glad it was.
During his career in Athens, Pollack would go on to be named a three-time first team All-SEC and All-American pick.
He would also add the Chuck Bednarik, Ted Hendricks, Lombardi, and Lott trophies to the case at home.
Most well known for his success in getting after the quarterback, Pollack’s 36 sacks are still atop the record book in Athens.
His notable career would earn him enshrinement in the College Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2020.
The 17th overall pick in the 2005 NFL draft, Pollack looked to be an emerging NFL star in his rookie season, but his career was tragically cut short in his second season after suffering a spinal injury.
In his post-NFL life, he’s gone on to find much success in the world of college football broadcasting.
Now a fixture on ESPN’s College Game Day, it’s safe to say that David Pollack has represented himself and the University of Georgia as well as could ever be hoped.
Cheers to #47, a Damn Good Dawg indeed.
Recent Georgia Bulldogs Countdown to Kickoff Stories
No. 48 – Honoring the walk-ons
No. 49 – Georgia’s victory over UAB sets the stage for many
No. 50 – Gamble helps to secure victory against LSU
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