Georgia fans are planning a tribute to the late brother of South Carolina quarterback Ryan Hilinski‘s late brother, former Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinski. Tyler took his own life in January 2018.
Ryan Hilinski often throws up three fingers in remembrance of Tyler’s jersey number and, in anticipation of No. 3 Georgia’s home game against South Carolina (noon ET, ESPN), Bulldog fans are starting a grass-roots movement to hold up three fingers during and after the first play of the third quarter.
Post to a @UGAAthletics Facebook page asking for fans to honor the late Tyler Hilinski, brother of @GamecockFB QB Ryan Hilinski.
— Wes Blankenship (@Wes_nship) October 8, 2019
I have no doubt that if they chose to, #UGA fans would once again step up and own a movement like this to support suicide prevention. #SCARvsUGA pic.twitter.com/3NW1vUPWpE
This is the second time this season Georgia fans have planned a tribute to a fallen member of the college football community. Last month, UGA encouraged fans to wear pink ahead of the Bulldogs’ home date with Arkansas State in remembrance of Wendy Anderson, the wife of Red Wolves head coach Blake Anderson, who died of breast cancer in August.
The Hilinski family has started Hilinski’s Hope, a non-profit foundation that works to prevent suicide and raise awareness for mental health issues among college athletes.
