Corey Griffin struggled to hold back tears as he sat at his final postgame news conference for Georgia Tech on Saturday.
Following a disappointing 38-7 loss to Georgia at Bobby Dodd Stadium, the senior defensive back began to reflect on his time with the Yellow Jackets for the previous five years.
“It didn’t really hit me until I got back to the locker room,” Griffin said. “Saying goodbyes and telling those guys to keep working. I know probably when I get back home and it all settles down … I’m probably going to break down. All good things come to an end. I just want to thank all the relationships and all the coaches for giving me a chance.”
Griffin is especially thankful for that chance. He was set to go to UAB in 2013, a choice that would have left him without a football team when UAB’s disbanded. Instead, Tech offered him a scholarship right before national signing day, and the Sandy Creek High School graduate headed up the road to Atlanta.
“I was a few days away from signing with UAB, then they lose their program,” Griffin said. “And Georgia Tech offers me the Sunday before signing day. It was a blessing. I thank coach Roof for that and coach Johnson … the whole coaching staff. I just appreciate everybody.”
Griffin appeared in 49 games for the Jackets, including 26 starts. He led the team in tackles a year ago with 82 and added 55 more this season.
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