Hines Ward (1995)
In an injury-riddled season, sophomore WR Hines Ward was asked to wear many hats (or helmets), and while it wasn't the most successful experiment, he did whatever was asked of him in an effort to help the Dawgs try to win some games.
Ward only started at WR for the first two games of the season. Due to an exceptionally injured backfield over the course of the season (including Robert Edwards, Torin Kirtsey, Larry Bowie, Selma Calloway, Mike Bobo, and Brian Smith), Ward was, at different times, asked to step in and help out at both tailback and quarterback. Injuries were so bad at one point in the season that teammates joked with him about stepping in to play on the O-line after offensive tackle Troy Stark sprained his elbow against Vandy.
With Mike Bobo out for the season due to a knee injury, Ward’s first start at QB came against Alabama on September 30, 1995, and it did not go well. He only made it through four series before being replaced by UGA's original backup QB, Brian Smith. Ward's stat line for that game was 1/2, 11 yards, 1 INT, and 2 fumbles in a 31-0 loss. After the game, soon-to-be-fired Head Coach Ray Goff said, "It was unfair to Hines to put him in this situation."
But two weeks later, he was put back in as QB when Brian Smith went down with a separated shoulder in the 2nd quarter of the Kentucky game. Ward had a better showing in this game going 9/12 for 115 yards with 0 turnovers in a 12-3 win.
Ward played QB throughout the remainder of the season, including in the 1995 Peach Bowl, where he finished 31/59 for 413 yards, 1 rushing TD, and 2 INTs in a tough 34-27 loss.
Hines Ward was put in many tough spots over the course of the 1995 season, but he did not complain. He handled it like the DGD that he is.
📽️: ESPN Hines Ward highlights in one of the few bright spots of the 1995 season—an 18-17 win over Georgia Tech. #GoDawgs
WHOLESOME: #Chargers WR Ladd McConkey’s wife Sydney Horne posted these photos of them together in elementary school vs. now.
Ladd and Sydney have been together since elementary, middle, high school, and college.
They are now married & he is in the #NFL.
This is remarkable 🥹❤️
Being MARRIED or COMMITTED to one person is a beautiful thing. Don't let these folks tell you a lie. Ain't nothing better than having a soulmate, bestfriend, lover and protector.