Terry Godwin is a big deal in LaGrange. And most believe he’ll be a pretty big deal nationwide before his football career is over. That’s the expectation that comes with a five-star recruiting designation.
And that can be a heavy and burdensome load.
Godwin’s family and friends know this. So they dedicated the night before Godwin left for the University of Georgia to bubble-wrap him in love and good advice.
On May 31, Olivia Godwin, his doting but ever-vigilant mother, organized a grand going-away party for her son at the LaFayette Garden Inn. Resplendent in red-and-black, Georgia-themed decorations and enough food to feed half of La Grange, about that many people showed up for the fete.
Godwin sat in the middle seat of the head table between his parents and three sisters. And in front of God, family and community, each one took turns giving “Little T” a talking-to.
Terryuana Godwin, at 22 the second-oldest of his three sisters, served as master of ceremonies. This seemed especially appropriate since she preceded her little brother by a year in receiving an athletic scholarship from Georgia. She’s a rising senior on the Lady Bulldogs’ basketball team, and big reason Godwin signed with UGA.
“My little brother has a smile that lights up the world,” Terryuana Godwin said as Terry dutifully stood to listen. “I don’t want him to ever lose that. I’m scared for him a little bit, but I’m ready for it. I’ll be with him at Georgia, and I’ve got to keep his head on straight. There are going to be a lot of distractions for him.”
Terryuana’s warnings were similar to ones Godwin would hear from other members of his immediate and extended family. Mom, Dad, sister Keyatta Anderson, 23, sister Tyterria, 12, maternal and paternal grandparents, an aunt, an uncle and several friends all took a turn with the microphone.
“You know what they’re expecting,” Godwin’s mother said of what awaits him at Georgia. “They’re expecting you to come in there and do wild things. Don’t worry about that. With everything that’s coming at you, just do what God has given you to do. Do that to the best of your ability. That’s all you can do, son. Just be Terry, and you’ll be fine.”
Indeed, the hype surrounding Godwin is considerable. The Bulldogs were in dire need of help at wide receiver, and Godwin was the most hyped of four that they signed in the 2015 class. But he’s more overall athlete than refined route-runner. And at 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, he still seems a little slight for the savagery of SEC football.
But those aren’t the challenges that concern those closest to Godwin.
“I just want him to grow up and take charge,” Terry Sr. said. “Don’t go up there and be led the wrong way. I think we’ve raised him in a way where he’s not going to go out and do that. We raised him to be a man of his own. Don’t do what others want him to do. Do what you want to do.”
Panning the large, people-filled room at the LaFayette Garden Inn in late May, it seemed unlikely that this small-town hero will be allowed to make a misstep.
“I believe you’ve been raised well,” Olivia Godwin told her son. “Look at all the people who came here tonight to show love. This is your support system, and everyone in this room you can call if you need to. We love you and we wish the best for you.”
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