UGA player speaks publicly for first time after surviving crash that killed teammate, staffer

A former University of Georgia player spoke for the first time Tuesday since he survived a car crash that killed a teammate and a recruiting staff member.

Offensive lineman Warren McClendon and three UGA teammates are participating in this year’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. On Tuesday, he stepped onto the football field wearing No. 77 in honor of his teammate Devin Willock.

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Willock and recruiting staff member Chandler LeCroy died in the Jan. 15 crash on Barnett Shoals Road. McClendon and recruiting staff member Victoria Bowles, who were sitting on the passenger side of the car, both survived the crash.

The crash happened just hours after the Georgia Bulldogs celebrated their back-to-back championships with a parade and program at Sanford Stadium. McClendon, a three-year starter and sports management major from Brunswick, Georgia, had also declared for the 2023 NFL Draft.

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While he doesn’t remember anything from that night, McClendon says he escaped with a scratch on his forehead.

“You know, it was a rough for me, couple days. But I’ve been talking to a psychiatrist, and it’s getting better day by day,” he told Channel 2 sports director Zach Klein.

Klein asked McClendon how he wants the world to remember his teammate and friends.

‘They were both hard workers. Goofy, wanted to make you laugh. They were a light in a room of dark,” he said.

McClendon, Christopher Smith, Kenny McIntosh and Jack Podlesny will compete in the Senior Bowl on Saturday.