Mel Whatley knows how fortunate he is to have won championships playing for two college football teams. He even had the chance to try out for the NFL as a punter.
But Whatley’s memorabilia from his college days are missing two pieces after a burglar hit his Cobb County home in July. That burglar swiped his two championship rings, jewelry and a Glock handgun totalling more than $20,000, Smyrna police said Tuesday.
“I worked 16 years plus for those,” Whatley said. “The experience I still have. I’ll never forget the times I had with the guys, but the physical representation of that is gone.”
Whatley and his wife were out of town celebrating their anniversary when someone forced entry into his Spring Drive home and helped themselves to valuables, according to Officer Christopher Graeff.
Whatley, a former Harrison High School standout, earned a WAC conference championship ring in 1995 while playing for the Air Force Academy.
After transferring to Georgia Tech in 1997, Whatley was a member of the 1998 Yellow Jackets team that tied for the ACC championship with Florida State. That ring was also stolen from Whatley’s home, according to police. Whatley was a letterman for Tech in 1998, a spokesman for the Institute said.
Other jewelry and a 9mm handgun were also reported missing from the home.
Whatley said he partly blames himself for sharing too much information with others, including on Facebook.
“I’m open with people too much, even with strangers,” Whatley said.
He’s hopeful police can help recover some of his items and said both rings are engraved with his name.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Smyrna Police Department tip line at 844-SPD-TIPS (844-773-8477) or Crime Stoppers at 404-557-TIPS (8477).
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