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A Georgia Bulldogs fan hailed Devin Willock as a “standout young man” after the offensive linesman let a seven-year-old fan wear a championship ring hours before Willock’s tragic death in a car accident.
Willock, along with University of Georgia football recruiting staff member Chandler LeCroy, died early Sunday morning in a car crash in Athens, Georgia around 2:45 a.m.
A story has since surfaced of one of Willock’s final interactions at a diner after the Bulldogs’ championship parade, where he bumped into fan Sam Kramer and his grandson, Camdyn.
University of Georgia football star Devin Willock let a seven-year-old fan try on his championship ring just hours before he was tragically killed in a car accident in Athens, Georgia.
Last week, Willock and Georgia beat TCU 65-7 for the school’s second straight soccer title.
Kramer, a lifelong Bulldogs fan, described how the redshirted sophomore gave him a “fist bump” before noticing Camdyn and deciding to let him try on his championship ring.
“I remember saying to Camdyn, ‘Hey, you’ve got one. But he’s got the real deal.'” And then Devin, without even pausing or flinching, took off his ring and gave it to Camdyn and said, “I’d love to see what you look like in the ring,” Kramer. told WJCL.
Pictures of the chance encounter were shared on Twitter, with Kramer writing on Saturday: ‘Special thanks to @DevinWillock for taking time for my grandson when he didn’t have to. you came out of your [sic] way to make him feel special and U made his day! Good luck next year! Let’s go friends!
Willock was a passenger in a car accident that took place at 2:45 a.m. Sunday morning in Athens.
The vehicle was driven by 24-year-old Chandler LeCroy (pictured), who was transported to the hospital by ambulance but died shortly thereafter.
Willock tweeted it with three heart emojis the day before the tragic car accident that claimed his life.
‘My heart is broken for them. I just want you to know that you raised an outstanding young man and he will be missed,” Kramer added.
Willock was a passenger in the car and was pronounced dead at the scene. He was barely 20 years old.
The car was driven by LeCroy, who was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, but died shortly thereafter. She was 24 years old.
Two other unidentified passengers in the car, a 21-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman, were also seriously injured in the accident. Both are in stable condition.
Just earlier that day, Willock posted several videos on Instagram celebrating with his team.
According to sources from ESPN, Junior offensive lineman Warren McClendon was involved in the accident, but is stable. Just a day earlier, McClendon declared for the 2023 NFL Draft.
A statement from the University of Georgia Athletic Association mourned the loss of Willock and LeCroy, while confirming that the other two injured passengers were members of the football program.
“The entire Georgia family is devastated by the tragic loss of soccer student and athlete Devin Willock and soccer staff member Chandler LeCroy,” it read.
‘Two other members of the soccer program were injured in the accident. Both are in stable condition and we will continue to monitor their condition with medical personnel.
As a redshirt sophomore, Willock played in all 15 games for the Dawgs, including two starts.
‘Devin and Chandler were two special people who meant a lot to the University of Georgia, our soccer program, and our athletic department. We ask everyone to keep their families in your prayers during this very difficult time.
‘The UGA Athletic Association will work with our medical team as well as our performance and mental health staff to make sure we provide the best possible support for our staff and student-athletes who are processing this grief.
“We are unable to provide further comment at this time, but we ask that everyone continue to keep those involved in your prayers.”
As a redshirt sophomore, Willock played all 15 games this season for the Dawgs, including the national title game, and started games against Tennessee and Kentucky.
Willock was ranked the No. 39 guard in the country and the No. 17 prospect out of his home state of New Jersey in the recruiting class of 2020 by ESPN.