Having a starting quarterback and future NFL No. 1 draft choice for a first cousin was not without its perks.
“I got to see some fun practices and a group of players that are lifelong friends to this day,” says Matt George, cousin of Jeff George and CEO of the Peoria-based Children’s Home Association of Illinois.
“Football season was special while I was in school. Gameday tailgating was always great and to hear 70,000-plus fans scream for the Illini was a cool feeling. Memorial Stadium will always be special in that sense and feel lucky to see those teams play.
“In 1989, the team went 10-2 and got an invite to play in the Citrus Bowl. The week before the game, I remember watching a practice and thinking Virginia had no chance.
“I was right.”
