Photo Credit: Joseph Sisson @joesisson
Dear Stetson, Man, it’s been a long journey. Full of so many ups and downs, good moments and bad. More than we as fans even realize. We all the know major points of the story by now. How you signed with Georgia as a walk-on in 2017 and no one really took notice. How you suddenly burst on to the scene in California of all places before the Dawgs took the field in the Rose Bowl. Most of Dawgnation didn’t know your name. But, the team did and they were instantly impressed with your ability to imitate Heisman winner Baker Mayfield. And while they struggled in the first half, the second half comeback that led to a double overtime victory was absolutely incredible and magical. But as the lights faded and the Dawgs ultimately lost to Alabama, your name slowly disappeared as the new five stars once again became the hot button topic. Enter Justin Fields. You transferred out and did great things at Jones County. And then in a strange turn of events, at the end of the 2018 season Fields transferred out as well and suddenly on signing day you were once again coming back to UGA, this time as Jake Fromm’s backup. It was a risky decision, betting on Fromm to leave early and yourself to win the job once he left. But as we fans now know, you’re not one to back down from a challenge or shy away from taking a risk. Cue 2020. All the quarterback drama was going on behind the scenes. Suddenly Georgia had an opt-out, an injured starter, and a backup with no experience starting against Arkansas. Struggling early on the road, Coach Smart made the decision to put you in and #MailmanMagic was born. A few more big wins in the next few weeks and everybody was in love. Of course most people were also waiting for JT Daniels to be ready to go. After a loss to Bama on the road and a loss to the Gators (which I still insist to this day wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t been injured), Daniels was finally given the job and that was that. #MailmanMagic was gone as quickly as it had arrived. And then came summer 2021. Everyone, including myself, was so excited and hopeful. The pieces and potential were all finally in place. We just had to wait and see if it would happen. And in a crazy twist of fate that summer, I casually remarked to my mom, “You know, I think we have the best chance to win it all this year out of all the years that Kirby has been there. And if we do, I hope Stetson gets to be a part of it somehow. I don’t want JT to get hurt, but if Stet got to come in for a crucial quarter or half at some point in the season to help us win it all, I think that would be amazing.” And then UAB happened. Then Arkansas and Auburn again, just like 2020. And that was it. The starting job was yours unless you got hurt or did something drastic to lose it. As you and Steinbeck would say, Ad Astra Per Alas Porci. I’d like to say we were all rooting for you, but as you know, that is a lie. I was rooting for you. And I know a handful of others who were as well. As with anything controversial, the minority might have been the loudest. But it certainly didn’t seem that way. All I know is that the majority of the internet and fanbase seemed against you. Fans calling for you to be benched at the slightest mistake, reporters questioning when sticking with you would cost Georgia a game. Because that was the one thing they all agreed on and made sure to mention in every comment and article, even ones that weren’t directly about you. They were absolutely, positively sure that you were going to cost us a game. It was just a matter of time. And then they’d get to sit behind their little keyboards with a smug grin and say, “Ha! I told you so. I told you he couldn’t do it.” For some reason, they took delight in your struggles. They needed you to fail. Whether because of their incessant need to be right, their infatuation with stars, or (my personal favorite) their “hate him because we ain’t him” syndrome that they couldn’t get over, they needed to see you fall. Then that fateful SEC championship game against Alabama came. And while there were multiple reasons the game was lost besides how you played, all the haters could scream was how you should have been benched, you cost us the game, and you shouldn’t start against Michigan. But the rest of us held our breath and waited. New Year’s Eve came and 4 quarters, 3 touchdowns, and 313 yards later, you were named offensive MVP to a chorus of “Mailman” and “Stetson” chants led by none other than Nolan Smith. The Dawgs were on their way to a rematch with Alabama for their first national title in 41 years. And the whispers became screams. It wasn’t enough. Michigan was overrated. The defense won that game. The natty would be SEC 2.0. I was worried they would be right. I was worried that at the end of the night we’d be heartbroken again. But you know what? Sometimes, not often enough, but sometimes in life you get to see the good guys win and the bad guys lose. So often it’s the other way around that it’s easy to give up and lose hope. But some of us have the insane need to hope no matter the odds. Call it a fault, unrealistic, or whatever you want. I don’t care. Because sometimes that hope and belief pays off. And even when I was a stressed mess in the 3rd quarter of that national championship game, feeling like it might be no different than 2018, there was still a small, tiny part of my heart that hoped, and believed. Then came an offsides flag and a beautiful pass to Adonai Mitchell and the Dawgs were back on top. Then a touchdown to Brock Bowers. And it was up to the defense. We all watched with baited breath, waiting and hoping that they would hunker it down just one more time. And then in a play and call that is etched in every Georgia fan and player’s memory, Bryce Young launched a pass downfield and it was intercepted by Kelee Ringo. And Dawgnation lost it. There’s countless videos on the internet of people screaming, jumping up and down, crying, collapsing on the ground, and all other manner of ecstatic celebrations. I don’t know what exactly was going through your mind then. But I do know what was going through mine. Nothing. Nothing but sheer excitement and elation. Ringo caught that ball and I screamed. My whole family instantly jumped off the couch and started cheering. It took a split second for us to realize that he still had the ball and was running back downfield. We kept cheering, growing louder and louder until that touchdown was scored. I always knew I would eventually cry when we won. But I didn’t expect it to be so instantaneous. As soon as that touchdown was scored though and the camera cut to the sidelines, I started tearing up. You were crying too. And I think all Dawg fans cried those tears of joy and relief with you. We were on top of the world. Georgia was national champions for the first time in 41 years and won with an epic, generational defense and a doubted offense led by a walk-on quarterback. It was a year for the record books. And a story for the ages, written only like God himself could have. And that was it. Everyone assumed that was the ending. You would take your second MVP award and that beautiful gold trophy, hang up your cleats and helmet, and ride off into the sunset. A champion and victor at the very end. But God and you had other plans it turned out. You said you were running it back and the Georgia fanbase collectively freaked out again. Some of the fanbase was excited but also didn’t want you to ruin your legacy because we were expected to be weaker defensively after losing so many people to the draft. We knew other fans would be quick to blame the team’s struggles on you. The other half said well there goes the season and a shot at another title because the offense is going to have to carry us this year and Stetson Bennett can’t do it. Because some people are just a little slow. Or hate to admit that they were wrong. Flip the record and cue the back track. But you simply put your head down and said, “Just watch.” The season started and you won game after game. There were some speed bumps as offensive injuries slowed things down a bit and the defense adjusted to new faces playing more. But still the team kept winning. The media and so many people doubted we had what it took to go all the way although they’ll say differently now. But you never did. Instead, you kept receipts, kept believing, and just kept winning, giving us some pretty iconic moments while you did. A Tennessee team thinking they’re number one and Sanford isn’t loud? Dawgnation showed up and you balled out. Ran for a touchdown, dropped a dime, and then said “Call me” to the Tennessee fans. And we loved you for it. LSU beats Alabama and is the hot team right now? Not a problem. Throw some touchdowns, drop a mic, and move on. Quick detour to New York City as Georgia’s first Heisman finalist in 30 years? No big. You’re just happy to be there. Then it was the playoffs. An Ohio State team with a second chance and an edge? That’s nothing. Here’s your 398 yards and 4 touchdowns. (Okay, timeout here. That game was straight up scary. I was freaking out, but somehow you and the rest of the team didn’t.) You managed to come back from two 14 point deficits to take the lead with too much time left on the clock. Their kicker missed the field goal as the clock struck midnight and we were going back to the natty for a chance at history. Honestly, that game is probably tied for second for the most terrifying and magical game in my years as a Georgia fan. Because it just doesn’t get any more magical than a missed kick with the ball dropping to the left to win the game right as the ball in NYC drops for the new year. The doubters were out again in full force during that game, but your performance in the 4th quarter shut them all right back up. And with all the little bumps and mistakes worked out against the Buckeyes, it was time for TCU. A Cinderella team who was also having a magical season with their Heisman finalist quarterback playing in the biggest game of their career for all the marbles. So of course, cue the nerves. The game was close for a little bit. But only a little bit. And then TCU didn’t know what hit them. It was probably Brock Bowers and Jalen Carter but in all honesty it could have been any number of players wearing red and black. They still didn’t know who it was. The whole team, including yourself, came not just to win, but to dominate. Last year the mantra was “burn the boats." This year? Leave no doubt. And you didn’t. 15-0. Back to Back National Champs. There is no question there anymore. The defense only allowed one touchdown and you threw for 304 yards while scoring 6 touchdowns, tying Joe Burrow for the only quarterback to have done so in a playoff game. Did you win your first championship because of the defense? Of course. Every team does. The defense helped this time too. But you left no doubt that this championship was also largely because of you. 2x National Champion SEC Champion 2x National Championship Game MVP Orange Bowl MVP (CFP) Peach Bowl MVP (CFP) SEC Championship Game MVP Heisman Trophy Finalist 2022 Burlsworth Trophy winner Second Team All-SEC 2022 Manning Award winner UGA’s first 4,000+ yard passer Broke Aaron Murray’s season passing record 2nd quarterback to have multiple rush touchdowns in the championship era Not bad for a former walk-on. Your undying belief in yourself is admirable. You have a unique combination of being humble and giving credit to your teammates and coaches while still maintaining your confidence in who you are, which manifests itself in a way that is iconic and full of so much swagger. You delivered again and again, until in your own words, “we just ran out of games.” We’re going to miss you. You’re one of the best and will go down in Georgia history quite possibly as the greatest player of all time. Even Kirby Smart, the coach who you have so much in common with, said “He’s the greatest Dawg of all time.” It’s all deserved. The words of a song come to mind when I think about you and your time at Georgia: “Out here in the fields I fight for my meals… I don't need to fight To prove I'm right. I don't need to be forgiven.” Your career is the most epic mic drop ever. It’s a beautiful story of hard work, perseverance, and faith. I couldn’t have written it any better than God already did and I’m so glad to have been able to watch it unfold. From walk-on to back to back champion. From scout team quarterback in Cali to 4x playoff MVP in Cali. From a small town in God’s country to Hollywood and the City of Angels. From Ad Astra Per Alas Porci to a legend, forever among the stars. It was a hell of a ride. You’re a Damn Good Dawg. Thank you for the memories and magic.
4 Comments
Bernie
1/27/2023 07:39:24 am
I've read this three times now! No greater tribute to a player we all either came to love, or should have yet failed to. Proud to say I was part of the former. 22 proved it to our players, so that 13 could make us fans believers!
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Ashley
9/26/2023 07:08:59 pm
Thank you so very much!! I thought I replied to this months ago and just realized I never did. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Stetson's story at Georgia unfold and I wish him all the best. I love what you said about 22 to 13!
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Daniel Tymchuk
1/29/2023 10:43:25 am
Awesome tribute to Stetson and the Dawgs.
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Ashley
9/26/2023 07:07:53 pm
Thank you so much!
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