March 29, 2025

Georgia Southern University’s beloved live bald eagle mascot, “Freedom,” passed away Saturday. 

As an ambassador for Georgia Southern, wildlife and as a symbol of our nation, Freedom inspired thousands annually at Georgia Southern sporting events, the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Savannah, commencements, community events and other appearances across the State of Georgia and the nation. 

Through the Georgia Southern University Center for Wildlife Education and Lamar Q Ball, Jr. Raptor Center, individuals of all ages could visit Freedom and learn about wildlife, their care and conservation. 

Freedom has been a part of the University community since 2004, when he was found knocked out of a nest in Maitland, Florida, and permanent injury to his beak prevented his release into the wild. He was acquired with the permission of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 

“We are incredibly saddened by the passing of Freedom, who soared as a symbol of Georgia Southern pride and True Blue spirit,” said Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero. “Freedom was more than a mascot; he represented strength, spirit and unity for Georgia Southern. His loss will be felt by so many in Eagle Nation.”

The Los Angeles Rams are expected to continue their “draft and development” process with what they hope is another effective NFL Draft class that renders them more quality contributors early in their careers.

As of the last couple of seasons, Los Angeles has formed a young defense and offense with a mixture of veteran talent to compensate.

The Rams will likely address their needs at cornerback, safety, linebacker and slot receiver. However, they could add more depth in the middle of their offensive line despite Beaux Limmer’s late season performance as the starting center.

Georgia Bulldogs center Jared Wilson could be someone to watch in the middle rounds of the draft. He has one year of starting experience and despite the lack of it, he has flashed some quality moments in the run game and pass protection as a quick and sudden mover.

The former three-star recruit played in 21 games across his first three seasons before becoming a starter last season, which ultimately led to him being a second-team All-SEC blocker.

Let’s look at what Wilson can bring to the NFL level and what he can improve on once he arrives.

Let’s start in the run game: Wilson has quality reactive quickness, suddenness and twitch to stimuli that allows him to widen his blocks and create some movement laterally. He offers good foot speed to redirect and cut off defenders from the far side of the field.

Pass protection offers some interesting skills here. His quick, functional athletic ability allows him to glide and mirror interior defenders who attempt to corner and will race them up the arc to get them clear of the quarterback.

Wilson does a good job sorting out defenders on games and his lateral mobility allows him to help his teammates with taking out the trash and look for work. His hand placement flashes at the point of attack as they stay tight together and the grip strength is impressive here as well.

It’s clear on film that Wilson is an inexperienced player that will require some development at the next level. He will miss his landmarks against slanting defenders and stunts, allowing them to get across his face and into the quarterback’s.

Wilson has short arms that allows defenders to attack viciously with hand swipes to get after him and into his chest. His leverage is inconsistent and when he does have high pads, he will compromise his chest where defenders can gain access and work him into the backfield.

Furthermore, Wilson lacks a consistent anchor and leg drive due to insufficient play strength at the point of attack. He must continue to add to his frame here and that will require time in a league strength and conditioning program during the first offseason or two of his career.

Wilson offers the quickness, twitch, independent hand usage, football intelligence and athleticism to be a future starter at the next level in an outside zone blocking scheme. He currently lacks the ample power to be an effective gap blocker, a system he played in at Georgia, and will need time to add to his frame and play strength overall.

Los Angeles would benefit from a potential late third-round selection of Wilson, who would provide quality depth for the Rams and insurance if Limmer begins to struggle. Overall, the former All-SEC center would offer the potential Super Bowl contenders a possible future starter down the line with possible guard usage from time to time.

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LEESBURG, Ga. (WALB) – Weston Brown, 11, is a brave young boy who loves to golf, hunt and fish.

Unfortunately, Weston’s selective appetite was taking him away from the activities he loves. His mom, Lacey Brown, noticed her child would not eat a variety of foods starting at two years old.

“[Weston] would eat baby foods, but he wouldn’t eat a lot of table foods,” Lacey Brown said.

Brown said her son’s fear of food got so severe that Weston would only eat crispy things like chips and fries. No meat, fruits or vegetables. When she reported this to doctors, they told her Weston was fine. Her gut told her something else.

“I just wanted to know what is going on with my child,” Brown said.

Weston’s severe fear of food is known as ARFID or Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. Kristin Hathaway, a psychologist with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, said ARFID can cause patients to avoid foods with interesting textures, smells and tastes.

“There’s usually a negative health consequence. You have a nutritional deficiency. You’re losing weight and you need formula to grow. There are these intense associations with trying new foods or eating,” Hathaway said.

For help with this diagnosis, the Browns turned to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA). After 8 weeks in the feeding therapy program, a child that would not eat much of anything before is trying new foods and enjoying them.

“I am just absolutely grateful for CHOA and the way they treated us. They gave him a new way of living life,” Lacey said.

Weston will have to follow up with therapy for a year, but Lacey said he’s taking huge steps in the right direction.

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