MOBILE, Ala. — 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.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
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.
RELATED STORIES:
- UGA’s Warren McClendon accepts Senior Bowl invite, will honor teammate Devin Willock
- Report reveals excessive speed a factor in crash that killed UGA football player, team staffer
- ‘She was a beautiful person:’ Hundreds gather at funeral to honor the life of UGA recruiter
- ‘I still can’t believe it happened:’ Parents of UGA football player killed in crash speak out
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.
©2022 Cox Media Group
