NEW ORLEANS — In his second season in the NFL, former Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter has developed into a force, but he’s still dealing with the high-speed auto accident in which two people died in January 2023 in Athens.
Teammate Devon Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy died in the early-morning accident. Carter was charged with reckless driving and racing, and pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charges. He was sentenced to 12 months’ probation and a $1,000 fine.
Carter was asked, while attending Super Bowl LIX “Opening Night” Monday with the Philadelphia Eagles, if he thought about his former teammate and what happened after the team’s national championship celebration that was held the day before.
“That’s my homeboy, Carter said. “I love him. I love him to death. I’m sorry for everything that happened, but I love him absolutely.”
Carter was asked if it was hard to deal with everything mentally. He didn’t want to elaborate.
“I appreciate you,” he said.
Carter was considered the most talented player in the 2023 draft, but the accident clouded his draft status. He was taken with the ninth overall pick by the Eagles.
He has turned into a 6-foot-3 and 314-pound wrecking ball this season. He was named to the Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro. The Falcons had a chance to select him with the eighth overall pick, but took running back Bijan Robinson.
“Everybody made their decisions,” Carter said. “They felt like it was smart decision, the (Bears who traded the pick to the Eagles) was a smart decision. The Eagles picked me up, and I’m very thankful for that. You see where we are at right now. I think we all know who made the smart decision.”
After two years in the league, Carter was asked what he would tell his younger “draft day” self.
“I’d just say don’t give up,” Carter said. “In all of the negativity, keep a positive mindset and that’s it.”
He noted that pro football has changed his life after he signed a four-year, $21.8 million deal.
“It has changed a lot, being able to help my family, help my mom,” Carter said. “Put a smile on her face. Help my brothers, sisters, aunties, nieces … all of that.”
Carter helped Georgia to win back-to-back college football national championships and is on the verge of winning a Super Bowl title.
“You’re are at the highest level,” Carter said. “It reminds me of when we won the national championships, but not many people win the Super Bowl. A lot of people don’t win the Super Bowl.”
For Carter, it could be three titles in four seasons.
“It definitely feels like a dream,” Carter said. “It’s crazy. This was the plan. The plan was to get to the Super Bowl. We’re here, now the plan is to win it.”
There were questions about Carter’s “motor” and how he’d handle NFL double-team blocks. He started only one game as a rookie in 2023.
But with veteran defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, Carter took off this season. He started 15 games, had 4.5 sacks and gobbled up double-team blocks. He had help from teammate Jordan Davis, another of the Philly Dawgs, on the Eagles’ defense.
“I’m just balling,” Carter said. “I’m doing my thing. Trying to motivate the guys. Make sure that we’re all focused so that we all can complete our goals and complete our dreams.”
Carter appreciates the support from Davis, who was taken 13th overall by the Eagles in 2022.
“He’s my OG (original gangster),” Carter said. “When I was getting recruited at Georgia, he was my host. I’ve (known) him since then. Way back. It’s crazy.”
He still looks up to Davis as a big brother.
“He talks to me,” Carter said. “Keep calm. Don’t get too excited. We are still here, and we’ve got a job. I’m on the same page, all of the Georgia boys are on the same page.
“I really think the whole team is on the same page. But we are just out there to enjoy the moment right now and when the game comes, we have to click, click on that mindset that it’s game time.”
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