ATHENS, GA — In a heartfelt and historic moment for the University of Georgia football program, Bulldogs legends Todd Gurley and Jarvis Jones have announced a multi-million dollar endowment to support UGA men’s football and youth development initiatives across the state of Georgia. The monumental contribution, confirmed by ESPN on Friday, is being hailed as one of the most impactful acts of giving by former collegiate athletes in recent memory.
Gurley, known as “Mr. Football” after his explosive career at UGA from 2012 to 2014, and Jones, a dominant All-American linebacker and team captain in 2011 and 2012, are both widely respected not only for their professional success in the NFL but for their unwavering commitment to the Georgia Bulldogs. Their joint initiative, titled the “Legacy Dawgs Endowment,” aims to provide sustained funding for player development programs, mental health services, NIL education, and youth football camps in underserved communities.
“This is bigger than football,” Gurley said during an emotional press conference held at Sanford Stadium. “This is about giving back to the place that gave us everything. It’s about making sure the next kid from North Carolina or Columbus, Georgia, sees a path — not just to the NFL, but to a better life.”
The endowment will also fund a new facility named “The Dawg House,” an elite player performance and leadership center set to open in 2026. The center will offer mentorship programs, academic support, and personal branding workshops — all vital tools in the modern college football landscape.
Jarvis Jones, now a member of UGA’s support staff, emphasized the deeper mission behind the initiative. “We wanted to do something that lasts,” Jones said. “We wore the jersey with pride, and now we want to invest in the jersey — in the young men who wear it, and the kids watching them from the stands and sidelines. This is how you build a legacy that lives on.”
UGA Athletic Director Josh Brooks praised the two legends, calling the donation “transformational.” Head Coach Kirby Smart echoed the sentiment: “These guys were warriors on the field, and now they’re champions off it. This kind of leadership is what the Georgia program is all about.”
Reactions from the Bulldog Nation have been overwhelmingly positive. Alumni, fans, and current players flooded social media with tributes, while hashtags like #LegacyDawgs and #OnceADawgAlwaysADawg began trending within hours.
The announcement also reignited conversations about the long-term role of former athletes in collegiate athletics, as more programs seek sustainable models for development amid the NIL era and playoff expansion.
As for Gurley and Jones, their message was clear: This isn’t a farewell — it’s a foundation.
And once again, these Bulldogs are leading from the front.
