ATHENS-During the blizzard of February ’15, Athens Police received a call after midnight about a large group walking on Interstate 65 near Huntsville-Browns Ferry Road after midnight.
Officers arrived to find that basketball players from Macon, Georgia, headed to Pulaski, Tenn., got stuck in traffic. The basketball players left their bus and were walking to the Hampton Inn, about a 3 mile walk. Athens Police transported to them safely to their hotel.
Now for the rest of the story:
The men and women’s basketball teams from Middle Georgia State College that Athens Police recently found walking on an icy I-65 after midnight have sent items of appreciation to the officers.
Police gave the players rides to their hotel after their bus got stuck on the interstate where hundreds had abandoned their vehicles or pulled over to wait for road conditions to improve.
“You know when I see a police officer I’m thinking something’s wrong but they catered to us, they asked us what was wrong and they all just picked us up and they were friendly” team member Joseph Fogg told WGXA-TV in Macon, Ga.
Police Chief Floyd Johnson
The team sent autographed basketballs, a football and a team photo to Athens Police.
Chief Floyd Johnson said he will find a place to display the items.
“We were just doing our jobs,” Johnson said. “We were helping as many as we could that night. When I opened the box and saw what the teams sent, I felt pride in our department. I appreciate the team members taking the time to send us these autographed items.”
Athens Cold Icy Night…. Warm Giving Heart
