Kirby Sensible Todd Kirkland/Getty Picture
College of Georgia soccer coach Kirby Sensible’s dad, Sonny Sensible, has died. He was 76.
Sonny had suffered a fall in New Orleans, the place he had traveled to look at the UGA Bulldogs play Notre Dame within the Sugar Bowl. (The championship recreation was postponed from New Yr’s Day to Thursday, January 2, after a Texas man intentionally drove a rented truck by way of a Bourbon Avenue crowd and killed 14 people. The driving force was later killed in a police shootout.)
“[Sonny] was hospitalized and underwent hip surgical procedure; sadly, issues arose,” a Saturday, January 4, assertion launched by UGA learn, per ESPN. “He fought valiantly however was unable to beat his accidents. The Sensible household expresses their heartfelt gratitude to the Ochsner hospital and medical workers for the distinctive care offered to Sonny.”
The assertion continued, “Moreover, they ask on your continued prayers for these affected by the tragic occasions that occurred within the early hours of New Yr’s Day. The Sensible household treasures everybody’s ideas and prayers and now prays for God’s consolation, energy and steering.”
Soccer followers have mourned a heartbreaking quantity of NFL stars in 2024. In February, Tony Hutson handed away at age 48, in accordance with an obituary shared on the time. No reason for demise was given. “Misplaced one among my favourite teammates and nice mates in Tony Hutson final night time,” Hutson’s former teammate Randall Godfrey wrote […]
Sonny is survived by his spouse, Sharon, and their three kids: Karl, Kirby and Kendall. Kirby, 49, spent a part of New Yr’s Day at his father’s bedside earlier than returning to recreation day obligations. The UGA soccer group finally misplaced to Notre Dame 23-10.
Sonny was a former soccer star, beforehand taking part in for Samford College in Birmingham, Alabama, earlier than changing into a coach for the native Holtville Excessive College. He additionally coached for Bainbridge Excessive, the place son Kirby performed security, and Rabun County Excessive.
Kirby has been candid about their father-son relationship.
“He’s taught me a lot nearly the best way you deal with issues, the precise method, the mistaken method,” Kirby beforehand advised reporters in January 2023. “Management the controllables. The second’s by no means too massive for those who’re ready. And I at all times watched the best way he ready our groups and our workers in highschool.”
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The collegiate coach added on the time, “He was a really smart man, a person of few phrases. I attempted to comply with his mantra as a coach. I’ve actually developed from going to educate for different folks, however loads of my core beliefs got here from the best way he ran our applications in highschool.”
The faculty soccer group has expressed their condolences through social media.
“Marty, the ladies and I are heartbroken to study of the passing of Sonny Sensible,” Brian Kemp, the governor of Georgia, wrote through X on Saturday. “An unimaginable father and husband and an ideal coach in his personal proper, he was a continuing presence at Georgia soccer video games alongside along with his spouse Sharon. Sonny embodied the values and energy that we should always all want to have. We’re praying for Sharon, Karl, Kirby, Kendall and all of their family members throughout this troublesome time.”
