ATHENS, Ga. — University of Georgia’s head coach and the entire university are rallying around an opposing team’s player injured in Saturday’s game.
It silenced the crowd in Sanford Stadium when Southern University’s Devon Gales was taken off the field with a broken neck. In the days that have followed, the Bulldog Nation has opened their hearts.
"We thought it would be the best thing to do to help them out. It's a bad situation. We are UGA -- a community,” sophomore Lizzie Wilmer said.
On the campus of the University of Georgia, students have very busy lives, but many are taking as much time as necessary to reach out to one in need.
"For us to rally around that family and bless them the way we have and will continue to do, that is great,” said head coach Mark Richt said, who tweeted his support Monday night.
https://twitter.com/MarkRicht/status/648692532549971968
https://twitter.com/MarkRicht/status/648692904765038592
UGA flew Gales’ parents to Georgia, and escorted them to Athens Regional Medical Center where he underwent surgery. Prayers and cards have flooded in, and UGA students are raising money to meet the medical bills.
UGA Athletic Director Greg McGarity says Gales will be transferred to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta.
"Devon is in great shape at Shepherd because they will certainly take great care of him there,” McGarity said.
Back on campus, students say they won’t forget.
"I think it says we realize it was a big situation and that we need to help out a family. It's a game,” Lizzie Wilmber said.
Gales joined the SU football program as a walk-on and was a redshirt sophomore at the time of his injury.
SU athletics and the SU System Foundation have established the Devon Gales Fund to provide financial assistance to Gales and his family to cover medical expenses.
The Devon Gales Fund is an official fundraising platform of Southern University and A&M College.