Loran Smith: Versatile Boykin right choice for honor

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Former University of Georgia standout Brandon Boykin was the featured celebrity in a galaxy of headliners here on Feb. 2 as he received the Paul Hornung Award, presented by the Louisville Sports Commission, as the nation’s most versatile athlete. In addition to the host, the Golden Boy himself, Boykin’s former coach, Mark Richt, was there to pay tribute along with Mike Ditka, former coach of the Chicago Bears, and Gil Brandt, one-time vice president of the Dallas Cowboys.

Versatility has always been a Boykin hallmark, beginning with the youth leagues for which he played all sports — whatever was in season. Like a Renaissance man, he has multiple interests and usually excels at any game or activity to which he becomes attached. At this stage in his life, his goal is to not only to earn a spot on an NFL roster, but to learn, grow and prosper in the play-for-pay league.

Winning the Paul Hornung Award is based on collegiate performance, and Boykin comes to Louisville with an objective which is certainly not original, yet is not altogether commonplace with college athletes today. He has already begun planning his first offseason. While he makes no assumptions, he has confidence that he will succeed on the next level. But as he pursues a pro career, he is going to take care of some very important unfinished business — a college degree.

“I need to complete three courses,” he says. “One can be taken online, and the other two I will find a way to manage until I am a college graduate. That is very important to me.”

To understand Boykin, you have to know his parents, Lisa and Al Boykin of Fayetteville, Ga.

“A degree,” Lisa said, “is not an option. It is expected.”

It was Al who introduced his son to sports when he was 4 years old. Baseball was the younger Boykin’s first love, and he didn’t take up football until he was 9. He resisted the game initially, but once he started, it struck his fancy intensely. Before you knew it, football was a consuming passion which he played with relentless commitment.

“I do love the game,” he said.

A journalism major, Boykin has an interest in a broadcasting career. A brief conversation stimulates evidence that he is already ahead with respect to life after football. Owing to his mother’s influence — that of underscoring good eye contact and learning what to say and how to say it — Boykin doesn’t have the disease that permeates the conversation of so many athletes who beat you down with that tired “you know” phrase. His conversations are efficient, succinct, thoughtful and mature. On top of that, he has a face for TV.

As a player who brought Georgia fans to their feet by making tackles for loss and running reverses, kickoff and punts for touchdowns, Boykin has a low-key style — walk softly, but carry a big stick. Just as he wants to make an impact on the football field, he aspires to make an impact in life, reaching out to others and finding time to support charitable causes. He enjoys being a good role model.

Boykin’s versatility has been well documented. He is the only player in Southeastern Conference history with three 100-yard plays of any type. He finished his career with four kickoff returns for touchdowns and one punt return for a score. He was a tailback, wide receiver and the quarterback in Georgia’s Wild Dog set — he ran a reverse for an offensive touchdown against Boise State — all while earning his keep as one of the SEC’s most accomplished defensive backs.

A team player, you could see the bittersweet emotion following Georgia’s loss to Michigan State in the Outback Bowl. He was named MVP — after recording a 92-yard punt return for a touchdown, a 13-yard touchdown catch, a forced safety and seven tackles, with two of them for loss — but quickly noted that he would relinquish the honor for a victory in his last collegiate game.

The consummate well-rounded college man, Brandon enjoys art, likes all musical instruments and plays the keyboard.

“He was never a discipline problem,” Lisa said. “He stayed out of trouble and wanted to make us happy. At every holiday season, he made me a special card, and I still have some of those Mother’s Day cards. Brandon is a very creative person. He likes to draw and is very good at that.”

When he was told about the Hornung award, Boykin’s intellectual curiosity immediately led him to the internet to learn more about the award and Paul Hornung. Boykin’s father was in short pants when Hornung was playing for the Green Bay Packers, but that didn’t matter to Brandon. He wanted to know about the man for whom the award is named.

“When I found out what kind of player Mr. Hornung was,” Boykin said, “I was overwhelmed.”

As he moves on to his next station in life, Brandon takes pause to look back.

“I am already missing the campus,” he said. “I miss the relationships with my friends, but am happy I had such a good experience at the University of Georgia. I have no regrets, and I am thankful to the Louisville Sports Commission and Paul Hornung for this award. I appreciate the award for what it means. This honor can only be good for my future.”

Loran Smith is a contributing columnist for The Daily Citizen. You can write to him at loransmith@sports.uga.edu.

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