Swift begins Georgia career with late grandfather in mind

D'Andre Swift will strap on his red Georgia jersey and step into a pair of silver britches for the first time Saturday, beginning a new chapter in his quest to become a formidable running back.

In that moment, he won’t forget where it all started.

As a young child, Swift sat in his grandfather’s lap and watched any game that he could potentially lay his eyes on. He had developed a craze and could see himself being on that same gridiron one day.

“Pop Pop, I am going to play football and make you proud. I want to play running back and score a lot of touchdowns,” Darren Swift, D’Andre’s dad, recalled the 6-year-old boy saying to his grandfather Henry Holloway.

Swift spent endless moments with his grandfather as they made many memories together, including watching D’Andre’s favorite karate movies.

“He was definitely the closest person to him on Earth at the time,” Darren said. “They were inseparable. D’Andre was the son that my father-in-law never had.”

D’Andre, a “chubby kid” at the time, was amazed by the athletes in the offensive backfield when he spent the weekend perched on his grandfather’s lap. It then became a dream.

Darren was skeptical at the time about allowing his son to play running back. Darren had played the position while attending Frankford (Philadelphia) High School and was concerned about the risks of concussions and other injuries.

But the Swift family eventually allowed the aspiring athlete to take his stance in the backfield with the Enon Eagles, a local church-league team. Darren knew it was the right fit for his son fairly quickly. That moment is of significance because tragedy struck shortly before D’Andre took the field as a little-leaguer.

Holloway passed away in 2004 from an illness. It was a tough time for D’Andre and his family, but his memory continued to live on.

“He has a special thing he does before each game where he goes off and prays on his own, having a conversation with his grandfather,” Darren said. “If things get dark, tough or seem impossible, he’s always having a conversation with his grandfather.”

Before every game, whether it be with Enon, St. Joseph’s Prep or with his summer 7-on-7 squad, D’Andre wrote “rest in peace” or “Pop Pop” on his wrist tape, gloves or cleats.

When the Bulldogs walk out of the banner and trot to the West end zone for a time of prayer before Saturday’s kickoff, that ritual will continue for D’Andre.

“We asked for his Pop Pop to look down on him and have his grandfather’s strength throughout the game,” Darren said. “He’ll do it as long as he plays ball.”

D’Andre has used those shared moments with his late grandfather as motivation throughout his playing career — making sure that Holloway would be proud of him.

D’Andre has made an impression amongst his Georgia teammates throughout the preseason, whether it be putting on a show at a recent open practice or catching passes in the slot.

D’Andre becomes a “different person” when he straps on the helmet, according to his father, but otherwise his demeanor remains steady.

“He’s a quiet guy, typical for most freshmen,” Georgia running back Sony Michel said. “He’s learning and trying to compete. I think he has been a great teammate thus far.”

Georgia’s season opener against Appalachian State will be an exciting moment for D’Andre and two other Bulldogs who are from Philadelphia. D’Andre joins his cousin Mark Webb Jr. and friend Ahkil Crumpton, who signed with the program in late July as a junior college transfer, as Philadelphia-area natives making their Georgia debuts.

Darren has made the trip south to watch his son play his first collegiate game. Darren will be alongside Mark Webb Sr. in the stands of Sanford Stadium, in which a few tears and smiles may be involved.

“It will be surreal. This is something that you dream about for your son,” Darren said. “He always hopes to play professional ball, but this is a goal that he really wanted to accomplish. To play at this program and in the SEC is remarkable for any athlete, but to see my son it will be an emotional moment. His abilities have gotten him this far, so he’ll be OK, and I believe that. If he learns the playbook and learns the schemes, he’ll be fine.”

This story was originally published September 1, 2017 at 12:55 PM with the headline "Swift begins Georgia career with late grandfather in mind."