University of Georgia Athletics
A Quick Chat With ... Josh Dawson
November 11, 2015 | Football
By John Frierson
UGAAA Staff Writer
Senior defensive end Josh Dawson may be forever remembered at Georgia for his fourth-quarter touchdown on a fumble recovery in the end zone against Tennessee in 2014, sealing on 35-32 win. He knows he'll remember the play forever.
The Tucker, Ga., native, whose career is starting to wind down, sat down for a quick chat Tuesday. The 6-foot-4, 273-pound Dawson reflected on his one career touchdown, savoring the special moments in a collegiate career that goes by much to fast and much more.
Here's some of what he had to say:
Frierson: If you could have played with or against anyone in history, who would it be?
Dawson: I really don't know. I've played with some pretty good people here: Jarvis Jones, Todd (Gurley), Alec (Ogletree), Aaron Murray, Nick Chubb, Malcolm (Mitchell). I've played with some really good players.
I wouldn't say there's someone that really sticks out to me, maybe other than Herschel (Walker). Just to see him run and do something special would be good.
Frierson: With or against Herschel? Jordan Jenkins said against Herschel because he wanted to find out if he could bring him down.
Dawson: With Herschel, for sure. I'm going to go win; I like winning.
Frierson: Who's someone on the team that doesn't get enough credit or attention, whether it's for being really good or funny or whatever?
Dawson: As funny guys, I would say (defensive linemen) Chris Mayes and John Atkins are pretty funny. They're really laid back guys, so you really don't see them say too much, and they're really not big social media guys, but with me being in the same room with them a lot, there's a lot of funny times with those guys. They're pretty underrated.
Frierson: If you could go back and talk to the 18-year-old version of yourself that was just arriving at Georgia, what would you tell him?
Dawson: I'd just tell him to live every day to the fullest and don't take one second for granted. It's crazy to see that my career at Georgia will be finishing in two months or so and it's crazy to see how time flies by.
I can remember me stepping on campus in the summer as a freshman, maybe July 3rd, and I was like, wow, I'm going to be here forever. And now my time is running out. It's pretty amazing. But I'd tell myself to take every day and live it to the fullest, and don't take anything for granted.
Frierson: Say it's the night after a game and you can pig out on anything, what are you ordering?
Dawson: I'm pretty simple — whoever has the best chicken fingers. I'm pretty simple, so no special meals for me, just chicken fingers and whoever has the best lemonade. That's all I need.
Frierson: What do you do to get away from sports? In the quiet moments of your day, which may be few and far between, how do you spend your time?
Dawson: I listen to a lot of music, all types of music, and I look at movies. I'm pretty big on the newer movies; I'm not too big on the old-time movies. I also like fashion a lot, so I do a lot of shopping.
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?
Dawson: I would say just going into my 11th-grade year in high school. My coach told me, if I really wanted to play this sport and if I dedicated myself, I could play anywhere in the country. I remember that because he used to pick me up at my house before 6 a.m. workouts. I remember those early mornings and you're still sleepy and want to get back in bed, and I remember that conversation like it was yesterday.
He told me that if I really wanted to do this, I had a chance. He told me that if I put in the work, I could play anywhere in the country. I remember that.
Frierson: If you could have played any other sport for the Bulldogs, what would it be?
Dawson: Basketball. I love basketball and basketball was my first love. I love watching basketball on TV, still.
Frierson: When you think back to your high school days, is there a moment that stands out as just one of those pure, blissful moments that you'll carry with you forever?
Dawson: My senior year (at Tucker High School), going 15-0 and winning the state championship. That was pretty special for me because when I came in as a freshman we went 14-1 and won the state championship. Me seeing that at a young age, I was like, wow, we'll never get back to those days. And then as a senior to go and have a perfect season, that's something I'll always remember.
Frierson: How much pressure did you feel as a high school senior to get that perfect season? Was it tough on you guys once you got to 10-0 or 11-0?
Dawson: There was a lot of pressure. The whole state's watching you and it seemed like every moment was a pressure-oriented moment.
Frierson: So take me through the touchdown at Tennessee (you can see it here: Dawson fumble recovery, TD). Do you remember what happened on the play and what did it feel like as it was happening?
Dawson: I remember coming in for our regular package and the ball was on the 1-yard line. I just come off the ball (on the snap) and for some reason I just see the ball on the ground (fumbled by UT running back Jalen Hurd). I'm like, huh?
I just reached down there with one hand and luckily I just scooped it up with one hand without even bobbling the ball and then just falling in the end zone. And I'm like, did this really just happen? When you get up, you really can't hear the crowd. All you see is your teammates and everything. That's a moment I'll never forget.
Frierson: I would imagine every defensive player wants to get one touchdown in his career. Some defensive guys might not even touch the ball their entire careers. I bet you were smiling for a week after that.
Dawson: That was a pretty good moment, especially because it helped us win. That was extra special.
John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.
