The rest of the story on Bacarri Rambo . . .
Bacarri Rambo (18) goes high to haul in one of his two interceptions against Ole Miss as cornerback Branden Smith looks on. (UGA photo by Rob Saye)
Hope you got to read my profile of Bacarri Rambo. A little background: I did not set out to report on him dealing with the death of his son. didn’t know about it. It was one of those situations where I had planned to feature him this week since he was coming off a two-interception performance against Ole Miss and now leads the nation in interceptions per game. It was only after calling down to Rambo’s Donalsonville hometown that I discovered what he had been dealing with in the days leading up to the game and since. And then I wasn’t really sure how I was going to handle it. I had to talk to those closest to Georgia’s star safety — and, of course, Rambo himself — before deciding how to proceed. In any case, what was lost in the wake of all that was some of the anecdotal information I gathered for the story. So that it doesn’t go to waste, I figured I’d just share it here. . . .
Rambo’s Seminole County head coach is Alan Ingram. He told me about first discovering Rambo’s unique athletic gifts when Rambo came into the high school as a ninth grader.
“He was just a little goober then, a real small guy,” Ingram said. “But you could tell right away he was an athlete. And he was fast. I’m an option guy, so I knew I wanted to get the ball in his hands. We played three ballgames and we lost them all. We didn’t really have any athletes. So finally I threw him to the wolves at quarterback in that fourth game. We lost that game, too, 7-6, but we played a whole lot better because of him. And he just got better and better after that and we started to win some ballgames.”
Ingram said Rambo quickly became a local legend, but he was slow in drawing attention from outside the rural southwest Georgia region. He vividly recalls what first attracted the Bulldogs to his star player, who played quarterback and outside linebacker in high school.
“I was at a coaches clinic and Mike Bobo was speaking. I’ve known Mike forever, so I asked him, ‘when are y’all going to come look at the Rambo kid?. He says, ‘can he play?’ I said, ‘I just happened to put a tape in the mail to you on Friday. You look at it and give me a call back’.”
Ingram said the first highlight on the video was of Rambo on defense. Rambo was playing outside linebacker on the far side of the field when an opposing player broke free down the opposite sideline. Not only did Rambo manage to run down the player, he also punched the ball loose from the runner’s sideline arm, caught the ball in midair and whipped around and returned it 40 yards in the other direction.
The tape also some offensive highlights, including 14-carry, 388-yard, six-touchdown performance by Rambo in the 2007 playoffs.
“That next Monday, Bobo called me,” Ingram said. “Coach Richt and all of the coaches were there with him and they were laughing and carrying on after watching the tape. He says, ‘Holy Cow!’ Tell him he’s got an offer.”
Other colleges received the same highlight tape and offers quickly came pouring in, including one from Georgia Tech, which wanted Rambo to come to The Flats and run the option. But Ingram said none of the other schools really had a chance.
“He grew up wanting to be a Bulldog and his daddy wanted him to go to Georgia, too,” Ingram said.
About Tech, Rambo told me he was intrigued with the idea of running coach Paul Johnson’s spread option, which is very similar to what they were doing at Seminole. However, he said he really did grow up wanting to play for the Georgia Bulldogs. Plus . . .
“I got tired of getting hit. I wanted to hit somebody else.”
So that’s kind of where I was going with the story — Rambo’s nose for the football — before the news of his son’s death took it elsewhere. Rambo is enters the Mississippi State game on Saturday with nine career interceptions. The Georgia career record is 16 by Hall of Famer Jake Scott, so he has a way to go to run that one down. Practice update coming soon.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
70 comments Add your comment
slydog
September 28th, 2011
4:23 pm
Wow, shocking. Stay strong Rambo. You have the right coach and fanbase by your side during a time like this. I didn’t read the article past “death of his son”, cause it doesn’t matter. Nothing is worse than a child who has not had the experience of an entire lifespan.
slydog
September 28th, 2011
4:23 pm
Oh forgot. FIRST!!!!
Dawg fans please RELAX
September 28th, 2011
4:27 pm
Im praying for you Rambo and your family that God be with you cause He doesn’t make mistakes.
UGA Advocate
September 28th, 2011
4:32 pm
…..This guy is an athlete. Sorry to hear of his deceased son.
GeoffDawg
September 28th, 2011
4:32 pm
So sorry for your loss. Lean on your teammates and family for support during this time.
Regarding the profile, even being mentioned in the same sentence with Jake Scott at this point in your career is quite the coup.
Big Wally Butts
September 28th, 2011
4:35 pm
Rambo is a special player, in the mold of previous great UGA DBs. Sorry to hear about his son. Rambo, you need to know that UGA fans are grieving along with you and support you all the way.
Eassyy
September 28th, 2011
4:41 pm
This guy has heart and talent. Condolences for his loss. I hope he stays healthy throughout the rest of his career.
Dawglasville
September 28th, 2011
4:45 pm
I pray for peace, comfort, and healing for your family, Bacarri. I can not imagine what you have been through.
GT
September 28th, 2011
4:50 pm
a moment of silnece…..
Rest
In
Peace
Dawg48
September 28th, 2011
4:53 pm
Praying for you rambo! Lean on the Lord!
Gdawg
September 28th, 2011
4:55 pm
We pray for you and your son, there is another DGD in heaven!
Tech Fan
September 28th, 2011
4:56 pm
Rambo,
Sorry for your loss. I wish you would have come to Tech, it would have matched your talents well. I understand that your family and you grew up Bulldog fans and you followed your heart. I have respected you since the Auburn game where you sacrificed your body to make the play. Best wishes until the last Saturday in November.
bugsquacher
September 28th, 2011
4:58 pm
Ironic that CMR is telling the fans how to cheer….. too bad he isnt paying that much attention to the football team he supposely coaches……
His record is showing it…….
1- GEORGIA is a combined 0-5 against Top 25 teams in 2010 & 2011 (0% winning ratio)
2- GEORGIA has lost 10 of its last 12 against ranked teams (20% winning ratio)
3- GEORGIA is now 16-14 in its last 30 games (53% winning ratio over past 30)
4- GEORGIA is 7-10 in the past 17 SEC games (41% winning ratio against SEC teams)
5- GEORGIA is 4-5 in their last 9 games going back to last season
6- GEORGIA has won 2 of it’s last 4 games. (neither were a powerhouse)
7- GEORGIA has not beaten a Div 1A team that finished w/ a winning record in its last 18 games.
Big Wally Butts
September 28th, 2011
5:09 pm
bugsy, give it a rest. Your comments don’t match the article.
Half Century Dawg Fan
September 28th, 2011
5:17 pm
bugsquacher, your a real class act
Dbalcer
September 28th, 2011
5:23 pm
Praying for you Rambo. You are a DGD who has given your all to GA from the Auburn game to today.
RAMBLE ON!!!
September 28th, 2011
5:25 pm
No parent should have to bury their child. What a tragedy.
God bless you Bacarri.
Remarkable
September 28th, 2011
5:35 pm
Bacarri, I have prayed for years for my son who is at UGA right now. I will pray for you too. I have always prayed that I might not have to bury him. I am sorry that you never got to pray that prayer. God is using your story now and I pray that He will continue to use you in the future. God Bless You.
Philippians 4:13
dawgfan4life
September 28th, 2011
5:41 pm
Rambo, I am praying for and your family. I truly know what you are going through. We lost our daughter 3 years ago and the pain will dull, but never goes away. God bless you in all that you do.
GO DAWGS!
shipyard dawg
September 28th, 2011
5:50 pm
Bacarri, Praying for You and your Family. bugsquacher class act bubby.class act.
GT 79
September 28th, 2011
6:05 pm
There is always a lot of back and forth trash talking on these blogs between Tech and UGa fans, but this is not the article for that kind of drivel….I will say a prayer for you and your family, Bacarri, that God will help you through this tragic event. Kind of puts football in perspective.
mvdawg
September 28th, 2011
6:15 pm
Praying that your heart will be healed by our Father God in Jesus Christ
The Lord bless you,and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.
God bless you and your family
Hobnail Boot
September 28th, 2011
6:21 pm
GT 79, Very classy. I echo your comments. I am praying for and your family.
TampaDawg
September 28th, 2011
6:29 pm
As a parent who knows all too well what the Rambo family is going through, we will be praying for him. He is a well grounded kid in the strength of the Lord so he will be ok. Somewhere down the road, he will discover a reason in God’s will.
Stay strong Bacarri. By the grace of God, your heart will grow stronger.
TampaDawg
September 28th, 2011
6:31 pm
And bugsquacher, if you can’t stay on topic on a blog this serious without spewing your same tired old negative crap, then just stay off the boards dude. Your character and credibility took a hit with that post.
JDawg1785
September 28th, 2011
6:33 pm
What a story. Bacarri, we’re praying for you! Stay strong, man!
ca dawg
September 28th, 2011
6:33 pm
bugsquacher… you need a need a spelling, and a civility, lesson. we should all remember this next time our boys make a mistake on the field; you never know what a kid is going through.
KB
September 28th, 2011
6:40 pm
@bugsquacher, You need to get something new , every day the same old tired crap. Everyone remembers what a suck year 2010 was. Good luck Rambo , sorry for your loss.
tenndawg
September 28th, 2011
6:44 pm
“god has a plan” huh? Well, his “plan” included killing a innocent child then. When will you idiots wake up and realize that we are all alone on this planet; the death of children happens in every species… its not a plan, its what’s been happening for billions of years. Bacarri, I’m sorry for your loss, God din’t kill your child, it was nature and has been happening for eons. I’m here for you as a fellow human, when you look at the billions of galaxies out there, remember we all still have each other on this planet, and if things are going to get better, then we are the ones that will make it that way… god has done nothing and will do nothing to alleviate your pain, the death of this wonderful child should clue you in on this irefutable fact.
Dawg Girl
September 28th, 2011
6:53 pm
@tenndawg, no one is saying God killed his child. The point being made is that God has a plan for Bacarri’s life despite this tragedy. Get a clue.
Praying for you, Rambo.
ga gator
September 28th, 2011
7:07 pm
tenndawg, no one will pity you when you spend eternity in a very warm climate.
aladawg
September 28th, 2011
7:09 pm
TennDawg, my you burn in hell.
aladawg
September 28th, 2011
7:10 pm
That’s may you burn in hell.
Jeremy Wallace
September 28th, 2011
7:11 pm
First off I can’t express how sorry I am for your loss Bicarri. As a father of three healthy children, this story has reminded me of my many many blessings and how I need to be thankful every waking moment. Your attitude about life is exceptional and obviously carries over into your actions.After watching the game Saturday I thought you had played some amazing ball.In fact I gave you my personal mvp award.After reading this story i thought you just upped the anty on all future UGA greats and what kind of men they can hope to be.Go dawgs and i’ll be rootin’ for ya the rest of your career.
LakeDawg
September 28th, 2011
7:17 pm
Damn! That’s tough. God speed Rambo.
JAWJeRDAWG
September 28th, 2011
7:23 pm
My condolescences, Bacarri, to you and your family, and I pray you all will someday find peace in the loss of your son, Braylin.
May God bless you, and I hope that you continue playing in tribute to him.
Thank you for your devotion to UGA during this sad time in your life, and best wishes in your playing career.
jwdawg
September 28th, 2011
7:26 pm
Bacarri, My wife and I also lost an unborn son 4 years ago. I can tell you this is the hardest thing ou will ever have to deal with. I can tell you it does get to a point where you can live with the pain and move on with your life. I have a new found respect for you to play with the pain I know you were dealing with.
May God bless you and your family, now and forever!
Georgian by birth, Bulldog by the grace of God!
JAWJeRDAWG
September 28th, 2011
7:30 pm
@ tenndawg
I pity you.
Beast from the East
September 28th, 2011
7:31 pm
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Mr. Rambo.
Stay strong!
ARdawg
September 28th, 2011
7:31 pm
That is a very difficult blow for any parent. Keep the faith and Godspeed Bacarri
Also nice to see the class GT fans. I didn’t know there were any
Beast from the East
September 28th, 2011
7:33 pm
tenndawg,
You are certainly entitled to you opinion, since we live in a free country. That said, I do not think this is the proper forum to be giving a lecture to a young man (that just lost his unborn child) on your religious views. Please use some common sense in the future.
P-Cola Dog
September 28th, 2011
7:39 pm
God Bless you, son!
Sic’em
JAWJeRDAWG
September 28th, 2011
7:40 pm
ARdawg
You’ll find that in the midst of a real human tragedy, most all bloggers are pretty classy.
Unfortunately, you’ll also find some, like tenndawg, who seemingly have neither heart, nor compassion.
Glad to see you made it back safe from Ole Miss.
TybeeDawg
September 28th, 2011
7:59 pm
Unfortunately, I know your pain all too well Rambo….may God comfort you both.
Matthews Dawg
September 28th, 2011
8:15 pm
Beast…don’t always like what you say on here…..but You are a class act with your comments! Praying for the Rambo family!
ga gator
September 28th, 2011
8:20 pm
Guys this just shows you that while most of us are extremely passionate about our teams, that for the most part we are respectful and it is just football afterall.
John
September 28th, 2011
8:36 pm
Ken Malcome is transferring…
John
September 28th, 2011
8:37 pm
tenndawg is right
LeftCoastDawg
September 28th, 2011
9:07 pm
I’m glad I’m not standing near tenndawg cause all them volts from the lightning strike coming his way surely won’t be pleasant.
He must be just outside that bible belt in Tennessee….have mercy on his soul.
LeftCoastDawg
September 28th, 2011
9:08 pm
….stepping away from John too!
Sam
September 28th, 2011
9:31 pm
Condolences to Baccari and family on this loss of his son. May God bring comfort to them during this difficult time.
ARdawg
September 28th, 2011
9:41 pm
JAWJerDawg
Most is probably a stretch but I can appreciate your faith in mankind. I do understand what you are eluding to however and agree. It is after all just football. tenndawg somewhere in his warped sensibility probably thought he was being helpful. Some people just have no clue.
Thanks! Had a great time. Even celebrated with some old friends and Ole Miss grads
Rambo Fan
September 28th, 2011
9:59 pm
Bacarri we are praying for you and your family. May God Bless you and keep you is my prayer. Always keep your head up remember Braylin will always be in your heart. Dedicate every game to him in the name of JESUS. Be strong in the LORD and stay focus. Acknowledge GOD in everything you do and He will direct your path. We Love You
Dawg85
September 28th, 2011
10:05 pm
Bacarri, so sorry to hear about your loss. Hold tight to your faith and may God comfort you and your family. Like your dad said dedicate youself to play for the memory of your little boy and I hope you’ll always be able to hear little Coach Braylin, he’ll be at every game you play! God bless you.
bosox dawg
September 29th, 2011
4:03 am
As i am going through the same situation as Bacarri. My fiance and i found out last Monday the 18th we were not going to be parents either. As i read these posts it is amazing to see the support of the fans. I hope you break all the uga DB records this year. I am impressed by his/your perseverance to keep pushing forward. To Bacarri always know god has a greater plan and he never closes a door without opening another. Maybe one day we will have sons playing together between the hedges. God speed sir and go dawgs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cullowheedawg
September 29th, 2011
7:04 am
To bugsquacher, your review or UGA records is good but it leaves out an important part. How had UGA done against GT? Can you research that for us and give a report. Cullowheedawg
Skitty Fritty
September 29th, 2011
8:23 am
Just shows you there is more to life than football.
tenndawg
September 29th, 2011
9:04 am
To the Christians that want me in hell… I live you with you idiots everyday, I’m in hell already.
Jerry
September 29th, 2011
9:17 am
Mr. Rambo:
I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts. Sorry for your loss! Try too stay strong and be the
best man you can on and off the field not only for you and your family, but more importantly for
son !
We love you and we pray for you and your family.
zbulldawg
September 29th, 2011
9:18 am
God bless you all Rambo.Your son has the best seat in the house.He will be with you forever! Love and best wishes to all
aussiedawg
September 29th, 2011
9:25 am
I think this story is an important one, for all Dawg fans who get down on the players, the coaches, and anyone else they can, being so critical and demeaning at times for not winning. In the end…..it is just a football game. And while I too want my beloved Dawgs to get the W, there are more important things in life, they just aren’t always so obvious. My deepest condolences to Bacarri and his family in their loss….this young man has shown us his heart! We should be proud!!!
Matthews Dawg
September 29th, 2011
9:36 am
tenndawg….there is NOT one Christian who wants you in hell! Christians don’t want that for anyone. Rambo and other Christians grieve with hope that one day they will see their love one in heaven! There is more to life than football or Braves losing, etc… My prayer is one day you come to that realization. I’ll pray for you and I’m sure others have too. I’m sorry you feel the way you do. Remember, people make terrible god’s and that goes for Christians too. We are not perfect, we mess up, but we know that we have a God full of love, grace, mercy and compassion. That is the person you should seek.
Normally, I would not do this, but your comment needed to be addressed. I can’t wait for Christ to open your eyes and bring you into His love and grace!
Back to football discussions! Go Dawgs!!
A J P
September 29th, 2011
10:02 am
I don’t know how to do this, but if someone will look up the poem “God I Hurt” and send it to Bacarri, I think he may take some comfort in the words. I know that I did.
north georgia fan
September 29th, 2011
1:44 pm
Baccari you are my family’s favorite Georgia Bulldog!!
We watch every game, along with many, many others faithful fans.
Stay strong and keep playing for Him (and for little him)
In Christ’s Name
north georgia fan
September 29th, 2011
2:03 pm
Poem: I Said
I said God Im hurt.
And God said I know.
I said God I cry a lot.
And God said thats why I gave you tears.
I said God I get so damn depressed.
And God said that’s why I gave you sunshine.
I said God life is so hard.
And God said thats why I gave you loved ones.
I said God my Loved ones dead.
And God said I watched mine nailed to the cross.
I said God your loved one lives.
And God said so does yours.
I said God where are they?
And God said mine is on my right and yours is in the light.
I said God it hurts.
And God said I know
Amy Louise Kerswell
how2fish
September 29th, 2011
2:55 pm
Mr Rambo I admit I don’t pray very often,but I will say a prayer for you and your family…may the Lord welcome your child home.
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
September 29th, 2011
11:14 pm
aladawg: Very classey christian comment. Tenndawg has the right to whatever, if any, religion he likes.
robodawg
September 30th, 2011
10:57 am
God bless you Bacarri. Wishing you and your family well.
lifetimedog
September 30th, 2011
6:22 pm
I am so sorry for your loss – I have a son – a lifetime Bulldog – who will be watching you on Saturday as you lead your troops. Son, I have had many setbacks in my life. I love the fact that you want to get to work – it helps. God bless your son. Heaven beats the hell out of earth…………………
REAL DAWG'S N FALCONS FAN
October 2nd, 2011
2:00 pm
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO THE RAMBO FAMILY!