After beginning his career as a walk-on for Georgia, Bulldog kicker Jack Podlesny would drill a season-long 49-yard field goal in the College Football Playoff (CFP) Championship game against Alabama to help the Bulldogs on their way to being crowned champions of the 2021 season. As Jack enters the upcoming season hoping to help the Bulldogs repeat on their way back to the CFP, he does so with faith as his guide. Throughout his career, Jack has credited God for leading him to where he is today.
“When I got to college I had what some would call a drought or dry spell, I went maybe every 3 months and it was more because my mom was pestering me than anything. Sophomore year I began to grow exponentially though by surrounding myself with people who were looking to push and better themselves and those around them.”
Jack says that making faith a priority again helped pay dividends in his life both on and off the field.
“That’s when I learned that if I was committed enough to pour into the Lord I would reap not the early satisfaction but the satisfaction of having His love. As I’ve grown over the years, I started to notice that there may be a week that I’m not bought in as I could be but that God is always there for us no matter what & that he loves us unconditionally.”
After helping guide the Bulldogs to their CFP championship, Jack was named one of 30 kickers on a preseason award list for the Lou Groza Award (given to the nation’s top kicker). When Jack is on the field, he says his faith carries him in every field goal or extra point chance he gets.
“Faith simply helps me stay grounded. In college football, playing at one of the best colleges in the country there are a lot of distractions. Being able to come back to center and know that this is only possible through God is truly how I continue my career. At the end of the day, I’m playing to glorify Him and Him only.”
“The way I like to think about it is that right before a kick in practice or game I say a quick prayer and thank the Lord for putting me in the spot I am in today. No matter a make or miss I can still be an example of Christ in how I live my life and respond.”
Playing at one of the top schools in the country, Jack has been given a lot of attention as one of the best in the game. Jack says that he hopes to use any praise to glorify God and what He has done in Jack’s life.
“I hope to one day leave a legacy with people that no matter what position you are in during your life that you can love those around you the way that God does for us.”
Jack says that a certain piece of advice his mom gave him when he was younger still remains with him today.
“My mom would always ask me ‘is that how you would like to be treated?’ and if your answer is no then there’s something wrong. God wants us to love each other no matter what & that is what I’m hoping to do with my platform.”
With just days remaining before Georgia’s first game, where they will face the 11th ranked Oregon Ducks, Jack hopes his senior year with the Bulldogs is one that he never forgets. With a chance to again play at the top level of college football, Jack says he hopes his time around the game is used to be a blessing in the lives of others and share about all that God has done.
