Gleaton Jones, who was part of Georgia football’s national championship team in 2021, has passed away at age 21 after being in a car crash earlier this week.
Jones was a walk-on for the Bulldogs and was no longer with the program. His death on Friday came three days after he suffered a brain injury in the crash, per Red & Black.
Jones hailed from nearby Albany, Georgia and was on the sidelines for Georgia’s national-championship victory over Alabama, which was the Bulldogs’ first title triumph since 1980.
Per his official page on Georgia’s athletic website, Jones never appeared in a game for the Bulldogs, but was on the team’s roster for the 2021 season as a true freshman after graduating from the Deerfield-Windsor School.
His obituary page has a celebration of life of Jones scheduled for Monday afternoon.
‘Known by his closest friends as “Gleat,” he was described as simply joyful and magnetic. There was no room big enough that his bright light was unable to fill,’ his obituary page read.
The Georgia football program is in mourning after former walk-on Gleaton Jones passed away
The Bulldogs are one of the more recently dominant college football programs in America
‘By all accounts, he was well-liked, popular, and charming, but even more so, humble, kind, empathetic, and personable- making his friends feel loved and important. His light-heartedness and joyful disposition could lift others to happiness, and his listening skills often gave peace of mind and encouragement.’
During Jones’ prep football career, he was All-State, All-Region, All-Albany during his senior season, while also keeping the regional and city honors for his junior season and being recognized as All-Albany as a sophomore.
Jones was slated to graduate next year and return to Albany to help on his family’s farm.
‘Gleaton lived life to the fullest and emoted joy and enthusiasm in every endeavor. For such a tender age, he created a full life for himself, and for others, by investing deeply in his family, friends, fraternity, and service to others through his growing faith,’ his obituary page read.
At Georgia, Jones was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
‘He cherished their bonds as brothers, as well as, each and every memory they made together,’ the obituary read.
