The new year has cruelly begun on a very sombre note. Tragedy has struck New Orleans, with aftershocks reverberating across to the CFB realm. A vehicle ran over an unassuming, joyous crowd of people celebrating NYE in the early morning on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter.  At least 15 fatalities have been reported, with many others injured and/or critical. This travesty, elevated to an “act of terror”, has naturally worried Tracy Beck, whose two children, Kylie and Carson Beck, are dispositioned in NOLA for the Sugar Bowl.

Carson Beck shall not partake in this game. In fact, his collegiate career is over owing to a season-ending injury. He’s poised to be with his teammates providing whatever input he can to his deputy Gunner Stockton from the sidelines. Carson’s sister, Kylie, is a cheerleader for the Bulldogs, and both were in proximity to the abhorrent events that had gone down. While Tracy didn’t accompany them to the Sugar Bowl, she’s as concerned as anyone. 

Mom Tracy took to her IG to post a picture of what appears to be Bourbon Street, captioned “Pray for New Orleans” Safety concerns and affairs more important than the Sugar Bowl inadvertently took precedence, and the game was pushed forward a day. Even though neither Kylie nor Carson Beck will have direct involvement, their team has the chance to alleviate some agony of NOLA and dissipate stress through some football. The pair will seek to do their best to propel Georgia towards fulfilling that, as well as muster a win.

Overcoming Notre Dame is bound to be a challenge for a Georgia team down to its backup QB. Almost overnight, Stockton has gone from a relative nobody to the most important man in Athens. The fate of this Natty contender rests on his inexperienced shoulders, with Stockton making his first start. Despite Carson Beck’s struggles this season, dropping QB1 to the bench wasn’t necessitated. This predicament has created divergence among all CFB fans. Some believe Stockton is going to cost Georgia, while Others believe he’s going to propel them. Under Kirby Smart, the Dawgs have always been a sum of their collective brilliance rather than leaning on a QB.

Kylie Beck will naturally not be deterred in her support despite her brother’s absence. But Tracy won’t be either. During the SEC Championship Game, when Carson got injured, she was sitting adjacent to Gunner’s mom in the stands. In a moment that thwarted competitive friction, both mothers were seen consoling each other during that watershed moment for their sons. Stockton’s first foray into being the Dawgs’ QB1 and Beck’s final.

Carson Beck’s CFB career ends prematurely as he now pivots to the pros

Carson Beck has played his last-ever snap in college football. As hyperbolic as this may have seemed a fortnight ago, it’s a harsh example of the fickle nature of sport. He went down with an elbow injury on his throwing arm during the aforementioned SEC Championship Game against Texas. An attempt at a “Hail Mary” to the end zone at the cusp of halftime transpired into a “Jesus, no!” for Tracy and Kylie Beck. A season-ending surgery ensued. As a result, Carson has officially declared for the NFL Draft.

As it stands, it’s difficult to discern what Carson’s draft grade is. With how the pieces have fallen on both rungs of the football ladder, it would appear QBs aren’t as desired this year. Barring a couple of teams seeking a franchise savior under center, not too many quarterbacks are expected to be picked in round 1. This directly contrasts last season, which saw the most QBs picked in round 1 in draft history. Carson Beck considered going pro last season as well. But the sheer number of adversaries he was up against played a part in his return to Athens.

He’ll seek to rehab well from his surgery and get back in touch before the Draft combine in a couple of months. For now, he’ll have his focus on more pressing matters. Not just the Sugar Bowl but the backdrop in which it’s being played. Keeping the travesty that the people of NOLA went through can propel players up to newfound levels. Both Georgia and Notre Dame will hope to do just that.