I listened to a sermon recently where the pastor began by saying, "Life is about making choices." He went on to give examples and had the audience imagine how their lives would be different based on choices they made along the way. I imagined my own life and identified pretty quickly where my choices and decisions changed the trajectory of my life.
We see example on example everyday where an individual's life is defined by his choices. The Damon Evans' story is no different. Most of my readers (if there are any) know that I bleed red and black. I am a Georgia fan through and through. So, I was really saddened to hear about Damon Evans' recent actions - choices that he made - that have forever altered his life.
Damon Evans, until yesterday at around noon, was the Athletic Director at the University of Georgia. For those of you who don't know much about collegiate athletics, this is huge. The AD job in one of the largest SEC programs is a job someone strives towards their entire career. Not Damon Evans. He was a star. He grew through the ranks at UGA, playing football at the University, earning bachelor's and master's degrees, and ultimately landing the AD job, replacing legendary Vince Dooley, before the age of 40. And he wasn't a joke. His list of accomplishments was large and he was respected among his colleagues, the student athletes, the sports industry and Georgia alumni and fans.
He had a pretty amazing life. Married, with two children. Earning $440,000 per year, awaiting the July 1 start date of his new contract. Living in one of the best towns in America and living the best type of celebrity. Sure, Damon Evans was recognizable to most in Athens and the Bulldog nation at large, but he had privacy. He could still go about his life in relative peace.
All of this to build up to Damon Evans' choice which has severely changed the trajectory of his life. Last week, Damon Evans was stopped while driving in the Buckhead Community of Atlanta and charged with DUI. Honestly, when I read the news, I felt a little sad for him. He was pulled over just near Chastain Amphitheater. I figured it was probably one of those cases where he was out, maybe even at a concert, had one too many glasses of wine, and unfortunately got pulled over. Very stupid, but you can see how it happens. More embarrassing, though, because of the Public Service Announcements Damon Evans made (shown on the Jumbo-tron at football games) about the seriousness of drinking and driving, he appeared very hypocrtical as well.
As the days unfolded, the story grew worse. Not only was he 70 miles away from his home and town, he was 70 miles away from his home and town, after midnight with a very intoxicated woman other than his wife. Thanks to the detail of the police report, the whole world knows the color of her panties even - because they were in Evans' lap as the police officer approached his car. Told you it got worse.
The police report goes on to detail the conversation the police officer had with Evans and his female passenger. Ultimately, after begging and pleading didn't work, Evans was taken to the precinct where he was booked and charged with DUI. And then the police officer writes "the subject cried uncontrollably."
Many of us don't have much awareness of our choices. Often, we make choices that seem small or minor, even, and they lead to further life-changing events, situations or outcomes. Sometimes we really only see them in hindsight and whether we're pleased or regretful, we have perspective. Not Damon Evans - he saw the consequence of his choices within minutes of making them. I can only imagine the emotion generated by Evans' awareness of his entire life crashing down around him.
While he received more pay-out from this resignation than most "normal" people would, receiving nearly $230,000, he has a difficult road ahead. Logic and history show that it will be nearly impossible for him to return to the level he's held for the past 6 years. In the age of the internet, he'll never escape this story. Who knows how his marriage is impacted. I've read that Evans is a man of Faith, but I don't know if this is true. I do hope so. The redemption offered at the Cross could be the only thing that propels him forward. I pray that one day his story continues happily.
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