UGA football players ‘asked for nothing in return’: The story behind viral Subway photo
Christie Myers meandered through the streets of downtown Athens with her 8-year-old daughter, Avery, last Friday. Suddenly, they had to use the restroom and the stroll turned into a dash down College Avenue. They found a Subway restaurant and were only a few steps away from relief — or so they thought.
An employee, however, said the restrooms were for paying customers. Myers didn’t have her wallet and offered to leave, but two Georgia football players wouldn’t let that happen.
At the price of a cookie, Latavious Brini and Jalen Kimber saved the day. Mother and daughter couldn’t have been more overjoyed, and the big Georgia football fans made a memory.
“I was so hyper-focused on the restroom that I didn’t even know who was in the Subway,” Myers told The Telegraph. “It was such a kind, thoughtful and unexpected gesture. I thanked them profusely several times.”
Myers opted to share the exchange because of its positivity in a period where a lot of news can carry a negative perspective. She never expected for it to expand outside of her circle of Facebook friends, but suddenly it went viral online. As of Wednesday morning, the post has over 187,000 reactions, 18,100 comments and 90,200 shares.
In an instant, Brini and Kimber became beloved for more than their play on the football field.
“I wanted to recognize these guys for their good deed,” Myers said. “It was to celebrate goodness and kindness, because there hasn’t been much of that. I had no idea it would go viral.”
After coming out of the restroom, the Myers family learned the status of Brini and Kimber. Christie and her husband are Georgia alums, and Avery has been raised with an affinity for the Bulldogs.
Both players are members of the UGA secondary. Brini is a junior. Kimber is a freshman.
Georgia players have been back in town since June 8 for voluntary workouts. A rare venture from the routine of weightlifting, team meetings and sleep turned into a genuine human interaction.
Myers and her daughter see these football players as friends now. They had a laid-back conversation about the summer and the plans to begin the college football season in early September as scheduled. To cap it off, Avery posed for a picture with her new favorite players.
“They asked for nothing in return,” Myers said. “They were raised to do the right thing and it speaks volumes about their character.”
Added Jeff Pond, Brini’s former high school coach at Mater Academy Charter in Hialeah, Florida: “Latavious has a heart of gold. That’s who he is.”
The exchange served as a memory, a laugh and a learning lesson for Avery. Her mother can reference this moment when reminding Avery about an act of kindness. Myers hopes her daughter will carry it forward.
All thanks to a cookie and the chance to use the bathroom.
“I was most impressed that these college kids did it without hesitation,” Myers said.