Georgia's Rambo Ready to Fight, Again

The headaches are finally gone. As are the lingering fears of returning to the practice field and making the aggressive tackles he's known for at Georgia.

Bulldogs safety Bacarri Rambo is confident he'll play in the Dec. 28 Independence Bowl against Texas A&M. His return is great news considering the scare Rambo gave Georgia teammates and fans late in a Nov. 14 victory over Auburn. Rambo has no memory of the play that knocked him unconscious and saved the game for the Bulldogs.

Rambo repeatedly has watched video of his collision that left him with a concussion, but it hasn't stirred his memory.

"It's like when I was down on the field I was deaf, paralyzed and blind," Rambo said Thursday as he spoke to the media, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, about the incident for the first time.

"I couldn't open my eyes. I couldn't hear nothing. I had friends tell me, 'Man, you didn't hear the crowd chanting Rambo?' I don't remember a thing. I couldn't hear anything."

The collision occurred with Georgia leading, 31-24, and Auburn attempting to drive for a tying touchdown in the waning minutes. Auburn quarterback Chris Todd threw over the middle for a leaping Mario Fannin, who dropped the ball upon a hard hit by Rambo near the goal line.

Rambo said he recalls everything that happened in the game before the fateful play.

A hush came over the crowd as Rambo lay motionless on the ground for nearly 15 minutes. Play was delayed as Georgia's medical staff tended to Rambo. Finally, he regained consciousness, moved his arms and legs, and was lifted onto a backboard and carted off the field as the sold-out crowd chanted his name.

Although he appeared coherent after talking to medical personnel, Rambo said he doesn't remember a thing.

Nothing. Zilch.

Not even after watching the play on video.

"I was out of it," Rambo said. "I know I started talking, but I was still out. I don't remember anything I was saying. I don't remember anything until I woke up in the hospital.

"I look at it and I'm, like, 'I still don't remember that play.' I'm, like, 'What happened?' It's just crazy, really."

Rambo was taken by ambulance to St. Mary's Hospital, where he remained for testing and observation overnight until being released the following day. Extensive tests revealed that Rambo suffered a concussion but no other injuries.

Rambo missed the final two games of the regular season against Kentucky and Georgia Tech. He returned to practice for the first time Wednesday.

"It was gut-wrenching to see him get hurt. I saw the play. When he made it I was yelling and about to run on the field, then I saw him go down. It hurt me to see him go down because we have been friends like forever," receiver Israel Troupe told Rivals.com.

"But as soon as I saw him moving, I knew everything was OK."

Fellow Georgia safety Reshad Jones also was in coverage on the play. Rambo lowered his shoulder and jarred the football loose from Fanin. Georgia players celebrated the play, but only for a brief moment upon realizing that Rambo was still crumpled on the turf.

"I saw the break, he was coming for the ball, both of us were coming so I didn't want to jump because I could see he was about to make a play," Jones said.

"He just went down hard. He gave the guy a good shot."

Rambo, a redshirt freshman from Donalsonville, Ga., also expressed thanks for those fans who kept him in their thoughts and prayers. He had more than 150 new friend requests on Facebook, countless emails and nearly 40 missed telephone calls.

Although known as a fierce tackler, Rambo admitted he was tentative about the injury when he first returned to the practice field.

"I was, but I'm over it," Rambo said.

"I'm just getting back to playing full speed. I feel like I'm getting there because I've had contact with my head and stuff and there have been no problems."