12-year-old Georgia fan who lost family members in recent tragedy visits Kirby Smart, Zamir White at Bulldogs workout
After a house fire claimed the lives of Taeden Johnson’s grandmother, mother and sister, the Georgia sports community has reached out to the 12-year-old sports fan from Athens.
Following his recent visit to the Super Bowl LV as a guest of the Atlanta Falcons, Johnson was back in Athens, visiting Bulldogs spring workouts. While at UGA, Johnson got to hang out with Kirby Smart, race Zamir White and wear the No. 3 jersey.
Georgia Director of Player Support and Operations Bryant Gantt posted photos and videos from Johnson’s visit to the UGA facilities on social media.
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Zac Hendrix, Johnson’s mentor, has set up a GoFundMe page where donations are being accepted to help with expenses.
Taeden Johnson recently lost his mother, grandmother and little sister in a fire at their Athens home. The @AtlantaFalcons gifted him & his mentor Zac #SuperBowl tickets. Here is Taeden embracing #Falcons owner Arthur Blank. 🥺❤️
📸 via: @ZacHendrix11 pic.twitter.com/VrZnMVspWC— Gradick Sports (@GradickSports) February 8, 2021
Why can’t we get more of this. Well done Falcons and UGA. Godspeed young man.
I CALL FOR RECRUITING VIOLATIONS!!!!! JK
This is just the type of struggling child that becomes a GREAT ATHLETE!!!!! I would bet he is already great!!!
I was joking about recruiting violations. But I bet you some money that coach Smart said. I wanna see you as a member of our signing class in 8 to 10 years!!! I’ll bet with all Z White has been through. I’m betting that kid just found a big brother!!!! That and a great Mentor!!!! As far as I can tell. Z White is the epitome of what a college football player should look like and be like!!!! Honest, super hardworking and cares about the university that he committed to!!! Most of all. My personal favorite he seems to have love for God and people!!!! That makes him a class act in my book. When so many others act so entitled. White has worked for EVERYTHING HE EVER GOT. INCLUDING WORKING HARD! TO MAKE HIS GOD GIVEN ABILITY EVEN BETTER!!!
If this kid chooses football. And if there is time left for him to grow up. I think God willing. You are looking at a future dawg and possibly a falcon to!!!! Probably a DGD!!!! I believe in Christ return. That is why I said. If there is time!!!
Time will fly by!!! It always does. If you are reading this. Hard work can and will make you a future dawg! If that is what you want. Pray always and wait for Christ to guide you young man. If your desires are not evil. And if you have a consuming desire in your heart. To play football or basketball or baseball or even preach God’s holy word the bible. Whatever burns in your heart at any given time. As long as it doesn’t violate thus says the Lord. Then go with God and your hearts desire. Remember this. You might become scared at certain points in life. Maybe worried is a better word? But whatever God has for you. NO DOUBT. YOU WILL LOVE IT!!!! IT WILL FULFILL YOU INSIDE. AS LONG AS IT IS GODS WAY!!!!
I’m a bit worried about this last comment. But I have to say it. IT WASN’T GOD WHO KILLED YOUR FAMILY. AND WHATEVER IT WAS. YOU CAN BE SURE THAT IT WASN’T YOUR FAULT. GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO BAD PEOPLE. AND BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE!!!! It is just a result of this evil fallen world we live in. But ALL EVIL always comes from EVIL!!! NOT GOD!!!!
There is a brighter day coming! Keep God first always. You’re never too young. To start reading the bible and asking God to give you all understanding. I was 5 years old when I began reading the bible. My favorite has always been bible prophecy or God foreseeing and telling the future of God’s people, planet earth and all that exist!!! Read the new testament FIRST. Starting with Mathew on to revelation. The bible is about 70 or 80% prophecy of some type. Most has already come and gone. But harder times are coming. Make sure you are ready to stand for Christ no matter what. Always remember. Christ comes in the sky! Any man on earth who claims to be God or Christ. Never ever fall for it or believe it. Because it is against his word the bible. No I don’t believe you’re too young to know the TRUTH!!!! THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD, ONE WAY AND IT IS WRITTEN IN THE HOLY BIBLE. CHRIST IS THE ONLY WAY TO GOD!!!! JOHN 3:16 PROVES HE LOVES ALL AND DIED FOR ALL!!! John 3:17 and after tells what becomes of non believers. You cannot ever be ashamed of Christ our savior! If we are ashamed of him. He will be ashamed of us at the judgement. The world as a whole will not always love you. In fact the world for the most part will hate you and turn against you for believing in the Only begotten Son of God. But this was ALL FORETOLD IN ADVANCE 2000 YEARS AGO!!! THE TIME WILL COME WHEN YOU ARE FORCED TO CHOOSE A SIDE. NEVER CHOOSE AGAINST CHRIST OR DO WHAT MANY DO. WHICH IS TO COMPROMISE THEIR FAITH IN CHRIST TO PLEASE UNBELIEVERS.
Even if the Kid never sees this. It must be for someone. But it is Satan and fallen angels that cause evil things. Not God!!!! Satan hates you and Jesus the Christ loves you John 3:16!!!
REMEMBER, GOD STILL LOVES THE WORLD. A GREAT SONG SAYS. WHAT THE CROSS HAD TO SAY. HE’S STILL SAYING TODAY. GOD STILL LOVES THE WORLD.
FOR ANYONE WHO QUOTE SOLD YOUR SOUL AND BELIEVE ITS TOO LATE. NOPE! ALL SOULS BELONG TO GOD AND THEREFORE YOU CANNOT SELL YOUR SOUL!!! ONE OF SATANS BIGGEST LIES. IS THAT YOU CAN!!!
So if ANYONE is worried that they sold their soul in a weak moment or a silly moment. NO! YOU DID NOT!!!!!! ALL YOU DID WAS MAKE A STUPID DEAL WITH A DEVIL. PROBABLY NOT EVEN THE DEVIL!!!! BUT IF A PART OF YOU REGRETS THIS DEAL WITH SATAN OR ANY PAGAN DEITY. ITS MUCH MUCH EASIER TO GET OUT OF THAN AN NFL CONTRACT BY FAR!!!!!
The fact that you even REGRET IT or feel sorry you did it. Even the smallest worries? That is God’s Holy Spirit drawing you. Because you cannot come to God unless you are drawn by his Spirit!!! SO MANY FALSELY BELIEVE THAT THEY CHOSE GOD! NO HE CHOOSES US!!!! But he has already died for the entire world. For ANYONE who will believe and receive it by faith in the Son of God and his shed blood!!! WE DON’T RELY AT ALL ON OUR GOOD WORKS!!! BECAUSE IT IS JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO BE SAVED. EVEN ONE SMALL SIN CAN SEPARATE YOU FROM GOD FOREVER!!!!
WE ALL SIN EVERYDAY!!! That is why you must come by FAITH and just receive what is freely offered to you! The bible says. WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE, THROUGH FAITH IN GODS SON AND WHAT HE PAID FOR! So if we sin once or a thousand times a day. We are still his children. Because in the high court of heaven. We all stand guilty in ourselves and always will. But if you make Christ your savior and believe in HIM NOT YOURSELVES. Then God always sees you as PERFECT. BY THE BLOOD OF HIS SON!!!! John 3:16. NOBODY CAN COME CLOSE TO SAVING THEMSELVES. GOD RECEIVES YOU REGARDLESS OF ADDICTION OR ALCOHOLISM. BUT IF HE WISHES FOR YOU TO STOP HE WILL GIVE YOU AN INSTANT MIRACLE.
God doesn’t always make us free in this body! Sometimes he allows us to continually fall. In order to learn it’s ALL BY HIM OR NOTHING!!!! If you want God. He wants you 1 million times more!!!
So instead of doing something STUPID. Why not try the Lord HIS WAY!!! By his GRACE which means his favor no matter what. Only because HE LOVES YOU!!!! The bible says. That while we were yet sinners ( IN SIN NOT KNOWING CHRIST ) Christ died for us. John 3:16. So understand this is for EVERYONE READING. WHO WANTS TO BE SURE THEY DON’T DIE CONDEMNED.
It’s as simple as saying. Lord I’m lost in sin and can’t do anything about it. Father God please forgive my sins and give me a new heart and a new start. Jesus I believe you died for ALL MY SINS. In Christ name father forgive me. Today/tonight or whenever. I CHOOSE JESUS AND CHOOSE TO BE YOUR CHILD. AND BECAUSE OF YOUR PROMISE. WHICH SAYS. ANYONE WHO COMES TO YOU. HE WILL NEVER CAST THEM OUT OR REFUSE TO FORGIVE. God is not like people. He forgives all when you ask and MEAN IT!!!!
You must believe it and mean what you say. God always knows your heart. It’s not a bunch of magical words. But rather simple words meant from the heart. Salvation is a FREE GIFT!!! Christ already purchased this free gift of salvation for ALL!!!! But it is not enough for him to pay the cost and offer you a free gift. YOU MUST PUBLICLY RECEIVE WHAT HE PAID FOR!!! FREE TO US BUT HE PAID WITH HIS LIFE’S BLOOD AND TORCHED TO PROVE TO YOU. HE LOVES YOU. SO JUST RECEIVE HIM AND THEN TELL SOMEONE YOU GAVE YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST. CHRIST DEMANDS WE PUBLICLY STAND UP FOR HIM. WE MUST BECAUSE HE STOOD FOR YOU!!!! This is NOT religion. This is a personal relationship with God through faith in Christ and by Grace.
PS. But never expect the world to cheer on your choice. It will be the very opposite. Choose Christ and receive everlasting life in him and forgiveness. Choose Satan and you are choosing this current world. Ultimately you are choosing eternal death and judgement. In order for God to be indeed perfect. HE HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO JUDGE SIN. BUT HE WOULD MUCH PREFER TO FORGIVE IT!!! ITS NO LONGER HIS CHOICE. NOW ITS YOURS!!!! NO CHOICE IS CHOOSING AGAINST CHRIST BECAUSE THERE IS NO FENCE!!! Choose the one who loves you enough to die for you. And don’t be stupid. JOHN 3:16
Negan
UGA and Kirby are nothing but class
maybe some of it will rub off on me
LOL, yeah I could use an ounce or two myself!
Just going to let that fastball down the middle go right on by. (:
That’s just horrible. Prayers for this young man and others affected by the tragedy. Very classy of Kirby and UGA to do this, but it’s not the first time. I was at the UGA game a few years back when that opposing team’s player was paralyzed, and UGA was nothing but classy then, as well. The class and grace with which the football program conducts itself (and the fact that that’s where I ended up getting my degree) give me nothing but respect for UGA as a program, even if I wish they’d lose a few more games every now and then.
Your heart just brakes when your hear what this young man has endured. Class act all around for those who helped make this happen.
I’ve been a Dawg for 50-plus years. Love my school, love my football team, but it’s these moments of character that make me the proudest. The ongoing support for Southern University’s Devon Gales, the tribute at Sanford for visiting Arkansas State HC Blake Anderson’s recently-deceased wife, the story above, and several other examples in recent years.
Same here Mountain. Been a Dawg fan since 1976 and things like this make me proud to be a Dawg. I’m sure many other schools do similar, but this is great.
Well said Mountain.
This is nothing but awesome. Words fall short in expressing what this child has had to endure. I do hope Coach Smart and Zamir will stay in touch with this young boy and continue to encourage him as he will need support through middle and high school. Blessings to you, son, and stay focused on what is important.
What a horrible tragedy! My heart goes out to Taeden Johnson.
Great work by Coach Smart, his staff, and all those at UGA for making this happen. God Bless this young man in whatever he pursues in life.
SEC football at it’s finest. Go Dawgs!
I don’t like Kirby. But he’s a nice guy. Great class displayed here.
Why? Cause he beats your team.
Heated? You need to work on that.
Most of the time, Georgia is known to be toxic to a certain degree. Sometimes that’s true but I remember times when Georgia and their fans were very very classy. I like class better than hate so keep it up lol.
This is you doing a skit, right, like some type of Andy Kaufman routine?
An over-the-top performer who is embodying everything he is railing against. Like the sagas when Andy wrestled the lady and the real TV wrestling personality.
Aubie you’re an idiot. You insult program and fans then offer compliments. Take your sorry A$$ back to barn you were born in and learn some manners. That’s like saying you enjoyed meal but next time fix something I like. You are an A$$
Buddy, you take things to seriously. Get help.
Kirby always has these kids doing outreach to the Athens community. I know a lot of coaches do stuff like this. UGA is very good at publicizing it. We need to see a lot more of stories like this.
There is still some good left out there!