University of Georgia Athletics
A Quick Chat With ... Sony Michel
October 07, 2015 | Football
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By John Frierson
UGAAA Staff Writer
Georgia running back Sony Michel has almost as many highlight-reel plays as he does carries and receptions. No play is routine when the Plantation, Fla., native, a powerfully built 5-foot-11, 212 pounder, gets the ball with a little room to maneuver.
While fellow sophomore Nick Chubb has been rushing for 100-plus yards in 13 straight games, and getting mentioned in lists of Heisman Trophy contenders, Michel has been very productive, as well. Through 13 career games, Michel has 686 rushing yards, 254 receiving yards and 13 combined touchdowns.
Michel, an avid music fan/artist, released a song, "UGA Anthem," before he'd even arrived on campus as a freshman. He recently sat down for a quick chat about music, big plays and much more. Here's some of what he had to say:
Frierson: Do you remember the moment when you realized it was time to make a real commitment to the sport, and began putting in the work that eventually got you to where you are today?
Michel: I'll probably say going into my ninth-grade year, that's when I first got into training in the offseason and kind of realizing that's what it's going to take be the best.
Frierson: Say it's Saturday night after a game and you can pig out on anything, what are you ordering?
Michel: Probably some Chinese food. Some fried rice and some chicken.
Frierson: Is there a part of the game day experience at Georgia that you connect with the most? Is there something that kind of gets you every time?
Michel: I'd probably say the Dawg Walk, just to see how excited the fans are when we get off that bus.
Frierson: When you think back to your high school days, is there a moment that stands out as just one of those pure, perfect moments that you'll carry with you forever?
Michel: I'd say my senior year (at American Heritage High School), when we won a state championship -- the first (football) state championship in school history. That experience is something I'll never forget. And the actual experience of going to the state championship game and being like, "we're actually here," it was crazy.
Frierson: In the year-plus that you've been at Georgia, you've become known for making highlight-reel plays. Is there one that's your favorite?
Michel: Probably the one (against Southern) where I threw the guy off my back (in the middle of a 58-yard touchdown run). It happened so fast that I didn't realize what happened -- it just happened. Then people were like, yeah, that was a good run, wait till you see it. And when I finally was able to see it, I kind of kept watching it. And the more I watched it, the more I realized that it was a pretty good run.
Frierson: I guess with football, and maybe this is true of all sports, the people watching it may have more of an appreciation for how impressive a play was than the person making the play.
Michel: That's probably true. The game, especially college football, it's moving so fast and the plays just happen so fact, that you don't really realize (when a great play was made) until the aftermath or when you're watching what happened.
Frierson: I know you're big into music. Do you remember when your interest in music really got going?
Michel: It was just something that grew up on me. I always just liked music and one of my friends was really into music, too. That's probably what got me started.
We would be listening to music and listening to the creation of how it's made and what's really put into it. We'd be listening to the little things, like in the background, and the quality of the music.
Frierson: Is there a part of being a student-athlete that's different than you expected?
Michel: It's a lot of dedication. As a recruit you don't really think about all the hard work that you're going to have to put in; you kind of just focus on game day. But being a football player, there's a lot more to it. There's a lot of dedication and sacrifice for the team.
John Frierson is a staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. Follow him on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.
