Georgia lineman Chris Burnette surprises girlfriend with marriage proposal at church
ATHENS — It was a big weekend for Georgia offensive lineman Chris Burnette, and we’re not talking about the offensive barrage the Bulldogs put on Vanderbilt Saturday night.
On Sunday, Burnette surprised his longtime girlfriend, Arielle Haynes, with an on-stage proposal during a service at Athens Church. According to witnesses, tons of Georgia players were in attendance, including quarterback Aaron Murray, tailback Todd Gurley and tackle John Theus. They made their presence known with a hardy ovation after Burnette had gone to one knee to propose marriage and Arielle accepted.
Following is a link to video of the proceedings: http://youtu.be/bynG8Wt3fpU
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119 comments Add your comment
G-dub
September 24th, 2012
1:10 pm
Stick a fork in him. HE’S DONE!!!!!!!!!!
JA770
September 24th, 2012
1:13 pm
BRAVO ! Well done, Chris. Classy in every way. Best of luck !
ChattaDawg
September 24th, 2012
1:15 pm
Congrats Chris…may you always keep Christ FIRST in your Marriage.
fayncdawg
September 24th, 2012
1:17 pm
Provided Burnette continues to have a stellar season, wonder if this will be his last season at UGA. After all, he will be draft-eligible.
DAve
September 24th, 2012
1:18 pm
Good story…Happy for the young brother. Glad to see AJC..and others focus on some of the postive young black athletes at UGA. Everyone is not smoking weed and getting kicked out of school…
Awesome!!!
September 24th, 2012
1:18 pm
Way to go CB! DGD. Now…GATA vs Tennessee.
Mike Franklin
September 24th, 2012
1:19 pm
I feel sorry for the gals who get proposals like this. The pressure to accept has to be overwhelming. I mean… what if she had said ‘no’ in front of an audience like that??
I’m happy for them but I couldn’t do that to someone I loved.
Debunked
September 24th, 2012
1:28 pm
Are the haters going to say “just another Georgia thug”?? Looks like a class act to me. Congrats Chris – the best of luck my friend! DGD!
True Dat
September 24th, 2012
1:32 pm
@ Mike Franklin -
“I feel sorry for the gals who get proposals like this. The pressure to accept has to be overwhelming. I mean… what if she had said ‘no’ in front of an audience like that??”
There are mainly two reasons why you ask in this fashion – you know she is absolutely going to say yes and want to share it with your church/friends – and may have even had small conversations about it – or you are not sure what she is going to say and want her to say yes. LOL – so depends on what he thought and knew. If they don’t get married I guess we might know.
Either way good luck to them both – Go Dawgs!
All I'm Saying Is....
September 24th, 2012
1:41 pm
What a great example! The maturity, class, and courage he displayed. Awesome! He had the set-up video done, exemplified and spoke of his faith, and, of course, had the ring ready. I suspect the question had been discussed and the answer well known but she probably was unaware of the when and where. Special moment and nice to see it (especially from an African-American perspective given what we tend to see represented in the media)! Chris Burnette is my new favorite person (not just Bulldog).
Atlanta
September 24th, 2012
1:42 pm
Congrats Chris, May God bless both you
Furious Styles
September 24th, 2012
1:42 pm
This kids idea was much cheaper to propose in church! Congrats
James Bibby Allen
September 24th, 2012
1:46 pm
Good things happening to good people. Conrats to his great parents Big Tony and Mrs Pam who has to be one of the sweetest person I know!
Stuck in Traffic
September 24th, 2012
1:52 pm
Is this what blacks call Jumping the Broom?
bubba4dawgs
September 24th, 2012
1:56 pm
Congratulations Chris and Arielle!! Chris, your proposal was unique and beautiful! I might add too, she is beautiful!! I know you’re from Troup High in LaGrange, Georgia! I’m an old Granger but I’ve been following your career and most proud that you’re a DMG! Here’s wishing you and Arielle a long happy life together! I’ll be looking forward to seeing you play on Sunday if you choose to do so! Meanwhile, GO DAWGS!!!
PR
September 24th, 2012
1:59 pm
Where is Turd Roll to tell us that UGA doesn’t have enough diversity on the OL?
Buddy Landel
September 24th, 2012
2:00 pm
How many times will Verne Lundquist mention this?
Dawg To The Bone
September 24th, 2012
2:01 pm
Wow. What a great video! Makes me proud to be a Georgia Bulldog!
Chris, good luck to you and your beautiful new fiancee. I have no doubt your marriage, and your career, will be a success. God Bless!
only a matter of time
September 24th, 2012
2:02 pm
all the brothers that checked out the video are saying glad he hooked up with a sister.
Egbert
September 24th, 2012
2:02 pm
Chris was valedictorian of his senior class at Troup, as I recall. He’s obviously a sharp guy who has his priorities straight. Also blocking like a road grader this season.I am proud he’s a Dawg.
bucket
September 24th, 2012
2:03 pm
@ Mike Franklin – they have been dating for 3 years. I’m sure they had discussed a future together way before Sunday morning.
flo-ri-duh
September 24th, 2012
2:05 pm
Just showing your ignorance satan because Christianity is not a religion….. muslim, hiduism, those are religions but Christianity is not. If you need me to explain I will. Sad that you are not a believer and I will pray for you.
LOYAL DAWG
September 24th, 2012
2:12 pm
Congrats Chris GOD Bless you and your wife to be…hey yall please resist satan (even on a football blog) so that he will flee. The devil is a liar and he hates marriages. GO DAWGS!
Peaworm
September 24th, 2012
2:16 pm
Finally a good story about a college football player…He sounds like an awesome young man!!
That Dude Says...
September 24th, 2012
2:17 pm
Watching the video made me think back when Mike Leach a few years ago was talking about his players listening to only their fat little girlfriends. I don’t know why it made me think of that because this young lady is far from it and pretty.
Midtown Dawg
September 24th, 2012
2:18 pm
Chris is a great Dawg and a great person. Don’t forget he was valedictorian of his high school. He is a smart, humble, giving young man.
BAMA MAMA
September 24th, 2012
2:20 pm
What, NO WAY, a Black Ga football player without a white girl? That is why they come to Ga I thought to get em a white gurl…
roger Searcy
September 24th, 2012
2:21 pm
You are getting ready for the best game ever…marriage to a Godly woman. God bless you both!
'trtnmntatitzbest
September 24th, 2012
2:22 pm
They’re young but with a foundation in the Church they’ll be ok. Clearly this young man is one of the FEW good ones.
Stuart
September 24th, 2012
2:28 pm
With all of the adverse publicity with the Dawgs this offseason it is good to see something like this. I am glad she said yes. Good luck to the couple.
Biggie898
September 24th, 2012
2:43 pm
THANK YOU AJC for posting a positive story about a young African-American man. Let him be a wonderful example to others of all races and religions, and a testament to how hard work, spiritual grounding, and a focus on academic excellence helps to build character.
(Zombie) Larry Munson
September 24th, 2012
2:44 pm
Hunker down, big fella! If you didn’t hear me hunker down!…I know I’m asking a lot but hunker it down one more time! Then take her to a good movie. I prefer a comedy…
RGB
September 24th, 2012
2:51 pm
Wow, what a terrific guy and great couple. Great role model.
May the Lord richly bless you both all the days of your lives.
The Goods
September 24th, 2012
2:58 pm
We need more Dawgs like CB! Awesome kid and I wish him the best!
Courtney
September 24th, 2012
3:03 pm
What a nice story. They are a beautiful couple. Wishing them much success and happinees in life and in their marriage.
mambo
September 24th, 2012
3:05 pm
What a wonderful young man you are Chris. Best of everything to you. As you know, luck has nothing to do with. Begone satan!
Taxi Smith
September 24th, 2012
3:13 pm
Thanks for posting, and may they both have a long and God filled life!
BG
September 24th, 2012
3:13 pm
Chip, I can’t believe the AJC is running a positive story about a UGA football player. Keep up the good work!
GeorgiaDawg93
September 24th, 2012
3:19 pm
Congratulations to a class act and a great player!
Greg Schiano
September 24th, 2012
3:21 pm
“…No one takes a knee unless I say so”
emack06
September 24th, 2012
3:23 pm
Congratulations!!!
“Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.” Proverbs 18:22
My favorite: Genesis 2:22-24
notaracist
September 24th, 2012
3:32 pm
Well, I am an old married person. And this was about the sweetest thing I have seen in a while. BTW, because a couple gets engaged at a young age does not mean they will get married, tomorrow. Beautiful, beautiful couple. May God bless your union, always.
rpollardrealtor
September 24th, 2012
3:43 pm
Congrats to this Young Man and he’s beautiful Bride too be. May God Bless y’all on your path to become one Under God. Go Dawgs!
Blue Ridge Dawg
September 24th, 2012
3:50 pm
Glad to see positive stories getting the media attention it deserves. Well done young man. GO DAWGS!!
acgypsy
September 24th, 2012
3:55 pm
May God Bless this young couple for amny years to come.
LDH
September 24th, 2012
4:03 pm
AND SHE WILL GET TO SEE HIM PLAY ON SUNDAY
MANYT
September 24th, 2012
4:16 pm
Brought tears to my eyes. Makes me proud to be a dawg from Troup County.
HDB
September 24th, 2012
4:20 pm
Congrats to the new couple…..may blessings always be with you……………..
Big Nick
September 24th, 2012
4:20 pm
She must be pregnant…
potterfan
September 24th, 2012
4:34 pm
Awww … sweet story. Best wishes to the happy couple!