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As the old sports adage goes, "the ring is the thing."
Baldwin High alum Javon Bullard and his Georgia teammates officially became the proud new owners of national championship rings on Saturday prior to the annual G-Day spring scrimmage game up in Athens. Bullard and his teammates actually received two rings, one the national championship ring ordered by the university, as well as "the Official College Football Playoff Championship Ring, also created by Jostens."
Bullard shined in the first half, batting down a pass on a blitz and then intercepting a pass on the final play of the half. Bullard then left the game in the second half, however, with what Dawgnation.com called "an apparent shoulder injury."
A beat writer posted an article for 247sports.com that identified Bullard as one of the "10 Bulldogs who helped themselves with their play at G-Day, writing:
Bullard held his own on the first-team defense with the ultimate highlight being an interception to end the first half. Bullard closed the game with 1 tackle, 1 pass break-up and an interception. Bullard is likely behind Poole in regards to playing nickel. Still, the sophomore made the most of the moment Saturday as he works for a bigger role.
Bullard graduated from BHS in December 2020, a semester early, and has been on campus in Athens since January 2021. He appeared in 14-out-of-15 games last season. According to NCAA rules, a true freshman is allowed to play in four games without losing their redshirt. Bullard appeared in 14 games, which means that he'll be a sophomore this season. After a myriad of departures from the 2021 team, Bullard will be in the mix for more playing time this season at nickelback, which Georgia refers to as the "star" position.
Bullard was back in Milledgeville last month, and that article can be read HERE.
As with any national championship ring these day, there has to be a really long description and explanation of the ring. Jostens, maker of the Dawgs ring, offered the description in a press release.
"The ring top features the Georgia 'G' logo boldly placed atop the coveted CFP Trophy, which is set with a marquis-cut stone, symbolic of the 2021 National Championship and first in the CFP era, according to the press release. "The base of the Trophy features three baguette-cut stones, representing Georgia’s 3 National Championship titles. Encircling the logo are 14 spikes, honoring the iconic Bulldog collar and representing the Bulldogs’ 14 season wins. Set between the spikes are 20 round stones, paying homage to the 20 unanswered points scored in the 4th quarter, leading the University of Georgia to victory. An additional 45 stones are set on the ring top, collectively representing the 45 wins of the senior class, with the words NATIONAL CHAMPIONS accenting the left and right side of the ring top. Completing the ring top are four additional stones and the team’s core characteristics: RESILIENCY, TOUGHNESS, COMPOSURE and CONNECTION.
"The left side of the ring proudly displays the recipient’s name above their jersey number, title or initials which are meticulously hand-set with stones. The left side design is finished featuring the championship year date 2021 at the bottom.
All photos courtesy of the University of Georgia Sports Information Department
"The right side of the ring is filled with details of the 2021 season. The final championship game score of 33-18 is highlight above gate 10 of Sanford Stadium, the location of the Dawg Walk which takes place before each home game. Replacing the gate number on the pillars of the stadium, is the number 45, a nod to the 45 total wins of the senior class. The right side is completed with the official Georgia Football National Championship logo, which is accented with a single marquis-cut stone.
"The interior of the ring pays tribute to Georgia’s 1st national championship in 41 years with a custom logo, and the 1 emboldened in Bulldog red. As an added touch of personalization, the recipient’s will receive their unique signature on the inside of the ring. The final touch of storytelling is featured on the outside palm where the word FAMILY honors the team’s motto."
