Anderson stirred by UGA pink out: ‘Overwhelmed’

ATHENS, Ga. — As Blake Anderson thought of all that pink between the hedges, he struggled to carry again the tears.

The feelings are nonetheless very uncooked for the Arkansas State coach, whose spouse Wendy died final month after a two-year battle in opposition to breast most cancers.

However whilst time eases the ache, he’ll always remember all these Georgia followers who honored his partner — and raised consciousness for breast most cancers analysis — by sporting pink as a substitute of pink on Saturday.

“It has been a very emotional week,” Anderson mentioned after the Pink Wolves had been routed by the No. three Bulldogs 55-Zero on Saturday. “I simply need to say publicly: one of many classiest strikes I’ve ever seen. It is laborious to actually put together for one thing like that.”

Anderson’s voice cracked, however he managed to carry it collectively.

“I’d say thanks to all those that confirmed up at this time sporting pink or considering pink,” Anderson mentioned. “They do not know my spouse and they do not know me and so they did not should do it. I am very grateful and honored and clearly overwhelmed.”

The coach mentioned that staying centered on the duty at hand — taking part in No. three Georgia — saved him from breaking down emotionally.

“I did every part I may main as much as kickoff to strive to not simply lose it. I one way or the other held it collectively,” Anderson mentioned. “Perhaps the thought that we’re about to go play the No. three staff within the nation. However it’s been extraordinarily emotional and overwhelming.”

His gamers had been equally moved by the gesture, which started with a plea on social media and shortly unfold all through the week.

“I will be a Georgia fan the remainder of my life,” Arkansas State middle Jacob Nonetheless mentioned.

OVERWHELMED, HONORED, and BEYOND GRATEFUL 💕 #NotFightingAlone pic.twitter.com/2xKKz51i8a

— Blake Anderson (@CHbanderson) September 14, 2019

It appeared that not less than a 3rd of the followers within the introduced crowd of 92,746 had been sporting pink apparel. Shirtless college students within the first row behind the Arkansas State painted their higher our bodies pink and wrote “Bear in mind Wendy” throughout their backs.

“Driving as much as the sport, seeing the followers strolling into the stadium sporting pink, it actually meant quite a bit to me,” Nonetheless mentioned. “However folks will most likely by no means perceive how a lot it meant to Coach Anderson. It simply places every part in perspective, faculty soccer and all of the athletes, that is greater than soccer. Georgia did not have to try this. It simply exhibits that Georgia followers have huge hearts and so they care, and we’re all sort of on this factor collectively.”

Regardless of the result, this one will all the time maintain a particular place in Anderson’s coronary heart.

It was the proper strategy to honor his spouse.

“I really feel her presence on the market,” Anderson mentioned. “She’s as aggressive as I’m and supported what we did and all these children. That is the sort of legacy that retains you going. I do not need to let her down, both, and her legacy. I’ve by no means seen anyone battle as laborious as she fought the final two years. If I am feeling sorry for myself or being lazy, I’ve bought to stay as much as her legacy.”