BASKETBALL IS BACK LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION A MATCH A2 IT’S Seniors get college letters A6 Previewing Georgia’s teams B3 Student influencers find success
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VOL. 131 | No. 13 | Athens, Georgia
WINNERS INSIDE
Thursday, November 16, 2023
Remembering
Devin Willock Loved ones keep the memory of No. 77 alive
Sharlene Willock holds a wooden coin with Devin Willock’s number, 77, at Paramus Catholic High School in Paramus, New Jersey, on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. P H O T O / L I Z R Y M A R E V
Sharlene Willock holds Devin Willock’s framed New Milford High School football jersey outside her home in New Milford, New Jersey, on Friday, November 10, 2023 next to a tree planted by her and her three sons and mother for Mother’s Day. P HOTO/ LIZ RYMAREV
Dawn Sawyer Sharlene Willock’s dogs jolt her awake every day at 5 a.m., begging to be let out. “Kodie, it’s too early,” Sharlene says to the black labradoodle mix. Between her and Sharlene’s other dog, Nova, Kodie is always the initiator of the two. “Go back to bed.” She doesn’t listen very often, but Sharlene can never stay mad at her. Kodie is, after all, Devin’s dog. Sharlene used to speak with her son, Devin Willock, close to this time in the morning as he made his way to class in GA and she made her way to work in New York as a nurse practitioner. The regular check-ins were like clockwork for the mother and son. Until earlier this year – until the day tragedy repeated itself for the Willock family and he was gone. Devin was an offensive lineman, No. 77 for the University of Georgia football team, who played in both national championship victories in 2021 and 2022. But beyond that, according to his family and friends, he was extraordinary. “Remembering Devin, he was a positive person, he was a bright person,” Sharlene said. “[I] think he was the same way all the time. … He was forever smiling.” Devin Willock and Georgia football recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy died in a car accident on Jan. 15 in Athens, Georgia, in the early hours of the morning after the national championship celebration parade. His loss came as a complete shock to his hometown of New Milford, New Jersey, and to his loved ones in Georgia as well. “Devin, he was excited about this year,” Sharlene said. “This was going to be his year. He planned, he was going to work hard, he said he was going to do what he had to do. He was going to get it done this year. He was ready.”
Tender Tuesday:
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Thursday:
Tossed Tender Nuggets - Grilled or Fried Tossed in your favorite sauce with Fries or Tots and a Drink. $9.95 Sharlene Willock looks out of the window of her home. P H O T O / L I Z R Y M A R E V
SEE WILLOCK ON PAGE A3
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