It’s hard to find something to celebrate after a disappointing loss to your state rival and the firing of your head coach. But for one Hinesville family, it was an honor to celebrate their son’s performance for the last four years as a Yellow Jacket.
As the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets got ready to take the field, the senior players stood ready to be honored at their last home game. There among the seniors stood 6’3,” 240-pound former Bradwell Tiger Gary Guyton.
Guyton presented a lone yellow rose to his waiting and anxious mother, Janice, who couldn’t wait to wrap her arms around her son - pads and all - and plant a kiss on his cheek. Also there with a bear hug was Guyton’s father, Gary Guyton Sr., and his brother, Terrance.
“He’s worked so hard and he does so well. It’s a very humbling experience,” Guyton Sr. said.
Guyton started his Yellow Jacket career after graduating from Bradwell Institute, where he was a three-year letterman.
He was named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Top 50 players in Georgia and chosen All-Southeast region selection by Prep Star. TheInsiders.com ranked Guyton among the Top 100 in Georgia.
Among his high school accomplishments, Guyton returned two fumbles and two interceptions for touchdowns, had 56 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks, three fumble recoveries, five pass breakups and a blocked kick. He also caught three passes for 54 yards and a touchdown and scored two two-point conversions and made 59 tackles as a junior with nine sacks, 10 tackles for loss, one interception and a fumble recovery.
In 2004, Guyton joined the Yellow Jackets and, as a true freshman, had a spectacular performance as part of the special team when he caused and recovered a fumble on a kickoff return against Georgia, giving Tech possession at the 14-yard line to set up a touchdown. Guyton’s performance later that season against Virginia Tech made the top 10 plays on ESPN.
As a sophomore in 2005, Guyton was the Yellow Jackets’ top backup outside linebacker. He had 19 tackles that season, one sack and broke up a pass. He hit a season high of four tackles in three games.
He continued to add on the tackles and earn distinction as an outside linebacker for his junior year. He totaled 29 tackles that season and was fifth on the team with eight tackles for a loss. Guyton made a key play in the Jackets’ win at 10th-ranked Virginia Tech when he scooped up a fumble and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown. He also had an interception against Troy and made five tackles with three tackles for loss in 7-0 win at North Carolina that clinched the ACC Coastal Division. He added a sack against Georgia that season.
This year, Guyton was moved to inside linebacker where he continued to flourish. During the past six games, Guyton has chalked up 42 tackles. In Saturday’s game, he had three tackles and broke up a pass that would have been the first touchdown for the Bulldogs in their opening drive.
Guyton’s father said he was thankful his son had an opportunity to attend a school such as Georgia Tech where education is always a priority.
“We are so thankful to everyone,” Guyton Sr. said. “Especially everyone in Liberty County. Without their love and support we would not be here today. Of course, we thank the Higher Power our Savior. But Liberty County put him in a school where he could not only play but also learn. And the coaching staff always put academics in front of athletics,” he said.
Guyton’s father is also a little hopeful for his son’s future whether in management, which is his major, or possibly the NFL.
“Our son has an opportunity to go all the way to the top,” he said. “Possibly the NFL. Who knows?”
When questioned what NFL team he preferred, Guyton’s father said it didn’t matter at first. But later, he mentioned the Dallas Cowboy as a possibility.
As the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets got ready to take the field, the senior players stood ready to be honored at their last home game. There among the seniors stood 6’3,” 240-pound former Bradwell Tiger Gary Guyton.
Guyton presented a lone yellow rose to his waiting and anxious mother, Janice, who couldn’t wait to wrap her arms around her son - pads and all - and plant a kiss on his cheek. Also there with a bear hug was Guyton’s father, Gary Guyton Sr., and his brother, Terrance.
“He’s worked so hard and he does so well. It’s a very humbling experience,” Guyton Sr. said.
Guyton started his Yellow Jacket career after graduating from Bradwell Institute, where he was a three-year letterman.
He was named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Top 50 players in Georgia and chosen All-Southeast region selection by Prep Star. TheInsiders.com ranked Guyton among the Top 100 in Georgia.
Among his high school accomplishments, Guyton returned two fumbles and two interceptions for touchdowns, had 56 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks, three fumble recoveries, five pass breakups and a blocked kick. He also caught three passes for 54 yards and a touchdown and scored two two-point conversions and made 59 tackles as a junior with nine sacks, 10 tackles for loss, one interception and a fumble recovery.
In 2004, Guyton joined the Yellow Jackets and, as a true freshman, had a spectacular performance as part of the special team when he caused and recovered a fumble on a kickoff return against Georgia, giving Tech possession at the 14-yard line to set up a touchdown. Guyton’s performance later that season against Virginia Tech made the top 10 plays on ESPN.
As a sophomore in 2005, Guyton was the Yellow Jackets’ top backup outside linebacker. He had 19 tackles that season, one sack and broke up a pass. He hit a season high of four tackles in three games.
He continued to add on the tackles and earn distinction as an outside linebacker for his junior year. He totaled 29 tackles that season and was fifth on the team with eight tackles for a loss. Guyton made a key play in the Jackets’ win at 10th-ranked Virginia Tech when he scooped up a fumble and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown. He also had an interception against Troy and made five tackles with three tackles for loss in 7-0 win at North Carolina that clinched the ACC Coastal Division. He added a sack against Georgia that season.
This year, Guyton was moved to inside linebacker where he continued to flourish. During the past six games, Guyton has chalked up 42 tackles. In Saturday’s game, he had three tackles and broke up a pass that would have been the first touchdown for the Bulldogs in their opening drive.
Guyton’s father said he was thankful his son had an opportunity to attend a school such as Georgia Tech where education is always a priority.
“We are so thankful to everyone,” Guyton Sr. said. “Especially everyone in Liberty County. Without their love and support we would not be here today. Of course, we thank the Higher Power our Savior. But Liberty County put him in a school where he could not only play but also learn. And the coaching staff always put academics in front of athletics,” he said.
Guyton’s father is also a little hopeful for his son’s future whether in management, which is his major, or possibly the NFL.
“Our son has an opportunity to go all the way to the top,” he said. “Possibly the NFL. Who knows?”
When questioned what NFL team he preferred, Guyton’s father said it didn’t matter at first. But later, he mentioned the Dallas Cowboy as a possibility.