Paul Oliver Tribute Unveiled in Rankin Smith

ATHENS, Ga. -- The University of Georgia Athletic Association unveiled the Paul Oliver "Wall of Inspir8tion" in The Rankin M. Smith Sr. Student-Athlete Academic Center Monday to honor the former Georgia football player. The "Wall of Inspir8tion" will offer student-athletes a place to inspire others through kind words and the opportunity to learn where to seek Behavioral Medicine services on campus.

After the unveiling, the Athletic Association hosted a small reception. Ron Courson, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine welcomed everyone to the event.

"Our student-athletes mean the world to us," said Courson. "Paul was special to me and I met him when he was young because came in with his ACL. The thing I remember most about Paul is his smile. I have two pictures in my office that mean the world to me. The first is when Paul made an interception at the Auburn game and my son was a waterboy on the sidelines. The other one is of my daughter who had a school project that she did in the training room. I have a picture of her and Paul sitting side by side with a huge smile on his face. Paul blessed us with his life and what we're doing today is dedicating the Wall of Inspir8tion. I think this is a great legacy for Paul. To create this in his name will help student-athletes now and those in the future."

Speakers included Fernando Velasco, an Assistant Director for Football Player Development and Oliver's best friend, current student-Athlete J.R. Reed, along with Deputy Athletic Director for Academics and Student Development Magdi El Shahawy.

"Paul and I met as freshmen and we developed a relationship, not just Paul and I but the class of 2003 in general," said Velasco. "Those relationships last to this day. Every single off-season a group of us would take a trip and the year we lost Paul we had just come back from Jamaica. I think about how much fun we had and it brings back so many memories. This situation taught me always be intentional. Always be intentional about checking on people and picking up the phone to see how they are."

Presentations included UGA Behavioral Medicine comprised of Dr. David Paulk and Lovie Tabron. There was also brief CTE Education made up of Courson, Rob Lynall, and professor Julianne Smith as well as remarks from Leigh Futch of the Georgia Way.

Oliver's wife, Chelsea, closed the program with thanks as well revealing a display of the Inspir8tion Wall.

"This has been amazing," said Chelsea. "I was a student-athlete and Paul was a student-athlete here and every time I went back to figure out what to say it kept coming back to how much we love Georgia. We love this place so much. Paul would always say 'The coaches here they care about me as a man. They want me to be successful in life, not just on the field.' I had the same experience and his friends, when they went on the trip, he looked forward to that every year. He would say 'Those are my brothers, we trust each other on the field and off the field.' He trusted them and talked to them every day. It just goes to show what this place is and what it meant to us. So thank you guys so much, we love you, and Go Dawgs."

Oliver, a native of Kennesaw, Ga., played under former Georgia coach Mark Richt from 2003-06. In 2004 he received the Iron Man Award and appeared in all 12 games that season. The following year he was a part of the 2005 SEC Championship team and earned the team's Most Improved Defensive Player Award.

In 2006, he limited previous Georgia Tech All-American wide receiver Calvin Johnson to two catches and 13 yards to cap the Bulldogs regular season at home. Oliver also recorded a career-high nine tackles against Virginia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. In 2007, Oliver was a fourth-round supplemental draft pick by the then San Diego Chargers, and he spent four years on the team.

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts there are Behavioral Medicine services on campus. The University of Georgia Athletic Association, the Behavioral Medicine Department, and Student Services encourage you to seek help if needed.

Players Mentioned

J.R. Reed

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