FROM THEEDITORVANCE LEAVYEDITOR IN CHIEFEnjoy our 2022 National Champions Edition, where wecelebrate the excellence of the Georgia football programin memoriam to Devin Willock and Chandler LeCroy!It’s been just over a fortnight sinceour Georgia Bulldogs footballteam completed their perfect 15-0season to become the 2022 NationalChampions. Of course, Georgiafootball also ended the 2021 seasonwith the same moniker.Back-to-Back National Champions … damn impressive Dawgs!However, the jubilation at the National Championship paradeand celebration on Saturday, January 14, turned to shock anddespair in the early hours of the next day. Our beloved footballprogram had lost two of their own with the passing of offensivelineman Devin Willock and recruiting staff member ChandlerLeCroy.That day, I was following up a text to Kirby’s brother, Karl, fornames from a photo I had taken at the celebration. Hurting for allinvolved, I sent this, “thoughts and prayers to your brother andthe team as they process the devastating passing of a teammateand program staffer. Life is so epic and brutal all in one.”My emotions today are virtually the same even though a fewweeks have passed. Everyone at Bulldawg lllustrated sends ourlove to the families of Devin and Chandler. And the same to theMcClendon and Bowles families as they help survivors Warrenand Tory guide their futures, while missing their beloved friends.As our cover reflects, this 2022 National Champions Edition is InMemoriam to Devin Willock and Chandler LeCroy. The 132-pageedition is a celebration of the championship team they were apart of. And just like Devin and Chandler, everyone involved withthe 2022 Georgia football program is so special.Thank you, thank you, thank you for a magical season. My hopeis that this commemorative edition matches everything this teamaccomplished.This edition closes out our 20th year of publishing. Back-to-backtitles to wrap two decades in business … pinch me, is this real?PHOTO BY: ROB SAYEOn page 12, Jeff Dantzler leads his column saying, “It (the 2022season) was the most enjoyable Georgia football season of mylife.” How’s that for a tease for another classic JD column?Like last year, I’ve broken this mega-edition into four sections …THE GAME, THE SCENE, THE FANS and THE FINAL PERSPECTIVE.Throughout the edition, please take notice of the awesomephotography by BI’s Greg Poole and Rob Saye. Working a footballgame on the sidelines is a tremendous commitment and thesetwo guys always perform superbly.This edition is too large for me to discuss every page, so I’mgoing with a few favorites.First up, please take the time to read Clay Watkins’ story (page36) and Hamilton Culpepper’s column (page 122). Both Clayand Hamilton are students at Georgia, so their perspective onthe passing of Devin and Chandler is so poignant. They do anexcellent job and I sure do appreciate their professionalism andcare with their words.All our features (where Clay’s story is) in THE SCENE section(beginning on page 26) should be a score. Once again, I broughtMurray Poole out of retirement for the Toughness and Connectionstories. From discussing the 2022 team with Matt Stinchcombto talking to three different fan groups about their travel to LAfor the Natty, Murray’s mastery on the keyboard never ceases toamaze me. Also, don’t miss our recap of the Athens Goes Westconcert held at the Troubadour in West Hollywood the Sundaybefore the game. What an incredible night of music and Bulldogrevelry it was!Our THE FANS section (beginning on page 41) is loaded with fanphotos from the National Championship game and the paradeand celebration in Athens. Needless to say, you will see lots ofpeople smiling with their No. 1 fingers flying high. Victory x 2 isoh so sweet!In both THE GAME (beginning page 16) and FINAL PERSPECTIVE(beginning page 84) sections, you will find the nitty-gritty of thismagical 2022 season. From Kevin Butler’s players of the game toJeff Dantzler’s Final Top 15, the content is No. 1 like our Dawgs.Also in the FINAL PERSPECTIVE, you will find all 18 covers that weproduced this season, paired with JD’s takes on each game/issue.Enjoy. I know I sure did when remembering (through JD’s words)this team’s excellence throughout the stellar campaign. Also,Loran Smith opines about the team’s Rembrandt performanceagainst TCU. And Murray Poole gives a nod to the 912 areacode’s contributions to the back-to-back national championshipseasons. Way to go 912!Speaking of the 912, our cover art was created by one of theirnative sons, Mack Williams. Thanks Mack, you nailed it. And howappropriate that our final magazine of 20 years is a cartoon justlike the very first one was by the legendary Jack Davis.Finally, thanks to all our advertisers over the last 20 years. Youare the reason our readers can count on a fun and entertainingpublication about their favorite love, Georgia football.Speaking of favorite love, I would be remiss not to thank mypartner in BI and life, Cheri. We’ve been to hundreds of gamesand proofed thousands of pages and are still having a blast. Don’tmiss Cheri’s Championship Crushes on page 12, where you willfind lots of fun goodies to celebrate another title.Gotta go now, but we’ll be back the week of the G-Day game todiscuss going for 3 in 2023. Nice work Rob Saye in catching Kirbypost-game. Score. Thanks again to the 2022 University of Georgiafootball program. You have represented our University like thechampions you are … Go Back-to-Back Dawgs!!BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 10 2022 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS EDITION
CONGRATULATIONS ON BACK-TO-BACKNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS!ENJOYGREAT FOOD& GOOD COMPANY& COCKTAILS ONATHENS BEST PATIOSDAILY SPECIALS • SUNDAY BRUNCHCoastal vibes on the cornerof historic Five Points -Walking distance toStegman Coliseum andFoley Field2310 West Broad Street in Athens(706) 353-7667 | HILLTOPGRILLE.COMCorner of CORNER Lumpkin and OF Milledgein the LUMPKIN heart of Five & MILLEDGEPoints Athens(706) 850-3451 ATHENS | MARKER7COASTALGRILL.COM• (706) 850-3451Marker7CoastalGrill.com
Change language