Sideline Photographer Concussed at Georgia Game

A University of Georgia athletic department intern is recovering from a concussion sustained during Saturday’s football game at Auburn.

Chamberlain Smith was working as a sideline photographer when Georgia running back Brian Herrien was chased out of bounds late in the second quarter. Herrien incidentally ran over Smith, briefly knocking her unconscious and stopping the game.

Smith’s eyes were open when she was removed from the Jordan-Hare Stadium sideline via a stretcher and taken to the East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, Alabama, according to CBS sideline reporter Jamie Erdahl’s halftime report.

Smith was released from the hospital Saturday night. The Georgia graduate from Ringgold, Pennsylvania posted an update on her Twitter account Sunday afternoon.

“I haven’t had a chance to respond to everyone, but I just wanted to say thank you all so much for the overwhelming outpouring of support in the form of kind comments, messages & prayers!!” Smith’s tweet said. “.. last night was very scary, but I’m so glad to be walking away with nothing more than a concussion & some bruises. I will be home resting & recovering for the next days, but I’m looking forward to being back on the sidelines soon! (heart emoji) #godawgs.”

Herrien, a senior who had 24 rushing yards in Georgia’s 21-14 win, sent out a tweet Saturday night saying “My heart goes out to her and her family I prayed for her well being as we took a knee.”

Georgia coach Kirby Smart also began his press conference by sending thoughts and prayers to Smith. 

“It was a really scary moment,” Smart said immediately after the game. “Brian felt very sick about it. It was a tough deal, but hopefully she’s going to be OK.”