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It's been a whirlwind week for Blankenship

The legend of Rodrigo Blankenship continues to grow.

The quirky, likable, entertaining, redshirt freshman who rocks the Rec Specs, met with the media after practice Wednesday, regaling the assembled scribes on a number of subjects following his game-winning field goal to beat Kentucky last Saturday in Lexington.

Among them, why in the world did he wear his helmet during his post-game interview on the field with the SEC Network, and whether or not the grief he’s caught since made his decision worthwhile?

“I don’t know if I’d call it grief. It’s all good fun. I love all the guys on the team. We’re real close. It’s all been in fun … it’s all been laughable,” said Blankenship, who booted four field goals in Georgia’s 27-24 win. “But I wasn’t thinking. I was just caught up in the moment, you know?”

Tuesday, he was at it again.

When Blankenship came up in the elevator to meet with reporters, he did so helmet in hand. UGA coaches and sports information personnel typically insist that players be interviewed without hats and in school polos.

Initially, that was going to be the case, but after some good-natured cajoling by some media members, Blankenship got the green light to conduct his interview as he had hoped, helmet and all.

Social Media certainly has taken notice.

On message boards, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, Blankenship has suddenly went viral. Everyone is talking about “Hot Rod.”

“My mom has been pushing the 'Hot Rod' nickname with the freshman year,” Blankenship said. “It hasn’t caught on through her efforts, but I’m afraid that now it might.”

But he’s not complaining.

“I’ve seen a good bit of it, just from my own accounts just because of those push notifications every time you get mentioned, tagging a picture, whatever the case may be, but also some of the stuff I’ve gotten from my friends and family,” Blankenship said. “They’d text me, they’d direct message me and they’re like, 'Hey, check this out, man.’”

As for what that’s been like?

“I just want to be verified (on Twitter), really,” Blankenship said. “That would be nice.”

With what he estimates to be 1,100 new followers on Twitter and Instagram since Saturday, stay tuned.

But alas, fame has its price. He’s more recognizable than he was before.

“I try to keep a low profile. I wear all black. I’m not a big fashion guy,” he said. “Most of the time when I’m around on campus and not in the class room, I’m on my scooter. So, I’m not as recognizable as you might think.” Even different glasses haven’t helped.

“I wear regular glasses to class – BUT, there was a classmate, in my Journalism class today that wore Rec Specs,” Blankenship said. “That picture made it way on to Twitter as well.”

Teammates just shake their head.

“It’s different,” running back Sony Michel said of Blankenship’s specs. “It’s something a lot of people find funny and I think it could be a positive thing, like his own style.” Left tackle Tyler Catalina, who was on the field for his winning kick against the Wildcats, agrees.

“He’s just a likable guy,” Catalina said. “He’s funny around the locker room. You want all your teammates to succeed and whoever is out there you always want him to succeed and he was just the one.” But don’t get the idea that Blankenship is all fun and games.

Kicking’s a serious business for the Marietta native, who not only has converted nine field goals in a row, but has become more adept at kicking the ball into the end zone for touchbacks.

“When I get to Butts at 1:30, 1:45 it’s go time,” he said. “It’s time to work, so it’s locked up in the locker and we’re just thinking about football.”

NOTE: Earlier this week, the Atlanta Constitution wrote a story quoting Blankenship’s father who indicated his son – currently, still a walk-on - could leave Georgia if he did not receive a scholarship.

When asked about that Wednesday, Blankenship played down the situation.

“I just need to take each week one week at a time and focus on the aspects of my life that I can control and that’s kick as well as I can,” said Blankenship, who was then asked if he had spoken with his father about the comments.

“I don’t know,” he said. “My father and I have had discussions about our financial situation but I’m just try to focus on the things I can control right now.”

Rodrigo Blankenship got to wear his helmet to Wednesday's interview after all.
Rodrigo Blankenship got to wear his helmet to Wednesday's interview after all. (Patrick Garbin)
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