Open mobile menu

Family Affair

Dec. 31, 2011

By Matt Winkeljohn
Sting Daily

For the longest time, Roderick Sylvester wasn’t able to do this sort of thing so now that he has the time, you can bet that he does it.

In this case, “it” has been a drive across two-thirds of the United States.

Today’s Hyundai Sun Bowl will be Steven Sylvester’s last game as a collegiate football player, and therefore the last chance his parents and brother can watch him play outside linebacker for Georgia Tech.

So they drove, from McDonough, Ga., to El Paso, Texas … more or less non-stop. They met the families of quarterback Tevin Washington and defensive back Jamal Golden in Meridian, Miss., and made the rest of the journey in two vehicles, including a van.

“We got gas and took a bathroom break or two,” said the elder Sylvester. “My reasoning for doing it is … when I was in the military I missed a lot of things, like when he played in high school. This is my way of letting him know that when I’m able, I’ll be there.”

Roderick Sylvester spent 24 years in the U.S. Army before retiring in 2008 after serving multiple tours in Iraq and in South Korea.

He teaches ROTC at Spalding High in Griffin now, and takes trips.

The Sylvesters, including Roderick’s wife Barbara and eldest son Roderick Jr., have been to every Georgia Tech game this season.

Mapquest suggested that the trip would be more than 22 hours, but the Sylvesters did it in about 21. They arrived at around 2 a.m. Thursday.

“I hadn’t slept much and it kind of hit me at about 7:30 [Thursday night],” Roderick Sr. said. “I passed out.”

Mr. Sylvester was up and running Friday.

Roderick Jr., 25, is an educator, according to his father, and the entire family has embarked upon quite a learning experience.

“I have gone to every game this year. This is something that we’ve done as a family,” he said. “If I wasn’t there [at a game], my wife was always there.”

RELATED HEADLINES

Football New Uniforms for Georgia Tech Football

Yellow Jackets unveil white, Tech gold and dark grey jerseys and pants for 2025

New Uniforms for Georgia Tech Football
Football Single-Game Tickets on Sale Now

Promotional schedule also finalized for Tech’s 2025 slate at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field

Single-Game Tickets on Sale Now
Football Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Announced

Eight-member group to be officially inducted October 10 along with Class of 2024

Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Announced
Partner of Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Legends Partner of Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Partner of Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Partner of Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets