{"id":187564,"date":"2023-01-15T21:54:01","date_gmt":"2023-01-15T21:54:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/university-of-georgia-football-player-and-staff-member-killed-in-car-crash-hours-after-championship-celebration\/"},"modified":"2023-01-15T21:54:01","modified_gmt":"2023-01-15T21:54:01","slug":"university-of-georgia-football-player-and-staff-member-killed-in-car-crash-hours-after-championship-celebration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/university-of-georgia-football-player-and-staff-member-killed-in-car-crash-hours-after-championship-celebration\/","title":{"rendered":"University of Georgia football player and staff member killed in car crash hours after championship celebration"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n CNN<\/span>
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University of Georgia football player Devin Willock and staff member Chandler LeCroy were killed in a single car crash early Sunday just hours after their team celebrated its national championship with a victory parade and celebration, according to a statement from the UGA Athletic Association.\n <\/p>\n

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Willock, 20, and LeCroy, 24, were among four people in the vehicle at the time of the crash, which happened around 2:45 am on Sunday not far from the UGA campus in Athens, according to the Athens-Clarke County Police Department .\n <\/p>\n

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LeCroy was driving when the 2021 Ford Expedition left the road and struck two power poles and several trees, police said. Willock died on scene and LeCroy died later after being taken to a hospital, police said.\n <\/p>\n

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A 21-year-old male passenger and a 26-year-old female passenger also sustained serious injuries in the crash, according to police. The university said the two injured passengers were connected with the football program but did not identify them.\n <\/p>\n

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\u201cDevin and Chandler were two special people who meant so much to the University of Georgia, our football program and our athletic department,\u201d the UGA Athletic Association said in a statement. \u201cWe ask that everyone keep their families in your prayers during this very difficult time.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

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Willock, a redshirt sophomore from New Milford, New Jersey, played on the offensive line in all 15 of the team’s games this year, according to Georgia’s football roster.\n <\/p>\n

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\u201cWe are all heartbroken and devastated with the loss of Devin Willock and Chandler LeCroy,\u201d UGA Head Football Coach Kirby Smart said in a statement Sunday morning.\n <\/p>\n

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\u201cDevin was an outstanding young man in every way. He was always smiling, was a great teammate and a joy to coach. Chandler was a valuable member of our football staff and brought an incredible attitude and energy every single day. We grieve with their families for this tragic loss and will support them in every way possible,\u201d the coach added.\n <\/p>\n

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The fatal crash came after a day of celebration as UGA players, coaches and fans packed into Sanford Stadium in honor of their second straight national championship.\n <\/p>\n

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At a Texas Roadhouse in Athens on Saturday, a 7-year-old Georgia fan named Camdyn Gonzales met Willock and took a photo together. The 6-foot-7-inch, 335-pound lineman gave the boy a fistbump and let him wear his enormous 2021 national championship ring.\n <\/p>\n

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\u201cSpecial thank u to @DevinWillock for taking time for my grandson when he didn’t have to. U went out of ur way to make him feel special and U made his day!! Good luck next year! Go Dawgs!\u201d the boy’s grandfather, Sam Kramer, wrote in a tweet.\n <\/p>\n

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Camdyn was star-struck after meeting one of his heroes, the grandfather said. Willock, meanwhile, seemed \u201cso full of life and just happy,\u201d Kramer added. \u201cHe was humble and very appreciative that we knew who he was and wanted to talk to him.\u201d\n <\/p>\n