Podcast: D.J. Shockley shares message he gave to UGA QBs in meeting

Shockley said he recently sparked a conversation on social justice with the quarterbacks on Georgia's 2020 roster.

Former Georgia quarterback D.J. Shockley felt it was important to organize a group discussion between former players and current quarterbacks.

No, it wasn’t to go over anything relating to football. The purpose was to ignite a discussion on the social justice issues that have come to the forefront of the national conversation over the past two months. 

Shockley’s goal was to provide the Georgia players a “free space” to talk and to have those conversations following the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks. Video footage of Arbery, Floyd and Brooks’ have all been released to the public, which led to protests nationwide. Taylor was shot and killed following a no-knock warrant executed in Louisville, Kentucky.

Shockley discussed his conversation with the Georgia quarterbacks on the latest episode of the Tackler Media podcast Back Porch Sports. 

“It was a chance to allow guys to speak freely and allow guys to get stuff off their chest,” Shockley said. “I think that’s the best way to start, through conversation.”

During the meeting, which took place over Zoom, Shockley said Jamie Newman played a vocal role and that Stetson Bennett was “honest about the things he was concerned.” He added that J.T. Daniels had additional questions for Shockley once the meeting concluded. 

Shockley was also asked about the nation seemingly paying more attention to these issues concerning racial injustice since many outside entertainment distractions, including sports, have shut down. 

“People are more focused on what’s happening in the world because sports are no longer there,” Shockley said. “The fact is you love sports for what it can do but you love this point where it’s forcing people to look deep inside and have a different outlook on life.”

Shockley also provided some perspective on how Kirby Smart has navigated the players during this time and how the Georgia head coach has become much more knowledgeable about these situations himself.

Shockley also touched on Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan’s Advancing The Lives initiative (15:09), the upcoming UGA quarterback competition between Newman and Daniels -- assuming Daniels receives a waiver (18:04), and what to expect with Atlanta’s offense now that Todd Gurley is in the fold (20:20).

Download the episode of the podcast by clicking here.

Watch the video of the podcast through YouTube below.