Georgia’s Nolan Smith breaks down discussing car crash death of teammate Devin Willock

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The story of the Scouting Combine is that Georgia’s Jalen Carter, one of the top prospects in this year’s draft, is facing charges of reckless driving and racing in the car crash that killed teammate Devin Willock and Georgia football staffer Chandler LeCroy. But today another Georgia player, Nolan Smith, said the focus should be on the loss of life.

Smith described Willock as a good friend and a fine young man who had a bright future ahead of him.

“This is the first time I’m talking about it,” Smith said, breaking down into tears. “That’s my guy. That’s one person that never did anything wrong. I get sensitive talking about it just because I love him and he never did anything wrong in his three years. He was supposed to graduate. Most people don’t know his brother passed like that. And I’m sorry to his mama. No one should live like that. No one deserves to die like that. He never did shit wrong. I’m sorry for my language, he never did anything wrong. Three years in a row that man showed up, worked day in and day out, he’s a two-time natty champ, you know? It’s written in stone. That’s all I’m going to say. . . . Devin, I love you.”

Smith also defended the character of Carter, calling him a great teammate and friend.

14 responses to “Georgia’s Nolan Smith breaks down discussing car crash death of teammate Devin Willock

  1. There is no defense for a fast and furious wannabe! Hopefully Carter is locked up for a long time and never plays in the NFL!

  2. It’s a sad reality that we all face at some point or another, feeling like someone was taken away from us too soon. Even more tragic is the fact it was completely avoidable. Sad….just sad.

  3. I don’t doubt at all that he was a nice guy, but getting hammered and driving 104 mph while street racing, is in fact doing something wrong.

  4. Yes, Mr. Carter was a great teammate and friend, and only contributed to the death of 2 teammates and friends.

  5. ghjjf says:
    March 1, 2023 at 11:34 am
    There is no defense for a fast and furious wannabe! Hopefully Carter is locked up for a long time and never plays in the NFL!

    ____________________

    Both charges are misdemeanors. Doubtful he does any jail time.

  6. Burrow_to_Chase says:
    March 1, 2023 at 11:49 am
    I don’t doubt at all that he was a nice guy, but getting hammered and driving 104 mph while street racing, is in fact doing something wrong.

    ==================================================================

    Smith was referring to Willock, not Carter. Willock was not driving. LeCroy was driving the car with Willock, and Carter was driving the other car.

  7. Burrow_to_Chase says:
    March 1, 2023 at 11:49 am
    I don’t doubt at all that he was a nice guy, but getting hammered and driving 104 mph while street racing, is in fact doing something wrong.
    ____________________

    Willock was a passenger, not a driver.

  8. Burrow_to_Chase says:
    March 1, 2023 at 11:49 am
    I don’t doubt at all that he was a nice guy, but getting hammered and driving 104 mph while street racing, is in fact doing something wrong.

    Devin Willock wasn’t driving. He was in the backseat.

  9. I don’t doubt at all that he was a nice guy, but getting hammered and driving 104 mph while street racing, is in fact doing something wrong.

    Wilcox was not driving. It was the staffer LeCroy who was racing. Wilcox was just in the car.

  10. Killing a passenger in your car is one of the worst things you can do. You have the responsibility to be protective of those in your charge. Very disappointing. Not many people can say they KILLED a friend.

  11. Don’t kid yourself people ….back in the day it was street racing GTOs , mustangs, chevelle’s, Camaros. And yes a lot of drunk drivers and deaths. You would think 40 years later we wouldn’t have these accidents anymore for young people,but I’m afraid we do.

  12. Man that’s just a sad situation right there. Your heart can’t help to break for Willock’s family and what Nolan Smith is going through.

  13. It’s very moving to read Smith’s heartfelt words. You can feel the loss he’s going through, and I feel for Willock’s family (and Lecroy’s family). So tragic and unnecessary.

    Young people often do stupid things. Sometimes it leads to tragedy. About 15 years ago something similar happened in my local community and one high school student died. I can’t imagine the pain a parent goes through when they lose a child.

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