Kelee Ringo will enter the 2023 NFL draft as one of the top college football prospects. The cornerback has helped the Georgia Bulldogs win back-to-back College Football Championships in 2022 and 2023.
However, Kelee's journey to the summit of college football wasn't smooth sailing. His mother, Tralee Hale, was diagnosed with a medical condition that was gut-wrenching for the new Eagles CB.
What happened to Kelee Ringo's mom?
Ringo's mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2020 and had to relocate to Arizona to receive chemotherapy.
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Despite being far apart, Kelee and Tralee never let distance get the better of their impregnable bond. The mother and son found strength in each other throughout the difficult times.
After a few months of therapy, Tralee was able to attend some of her son's games in Georgia to support Kelee. She even saw him make a game-sealing pick six to help the Bulldogs clinch the 2022 national championship over Alabama.
More good news followed later that year in March when Tralee revealed that she was cancer-free. In her social media post, she thanked all her well-wishers and promised to use her voice as an advocate against breast cancer.
She even donated $200,000 to St. Mary's hospital in Athens where she had the last rounds of treatment.
Tralee was also present to watch her son lift the National Championship Trophy for the second season in a row in 2023 when the Bulldogs trounced the TCU Horned Frogs. Kelee received second-team All-SEC honors and had his mother beside him throughout his journey to success.
Kelee Ringo's college football stats and honors
Kelee Ringo is a two-time CFP national champion with the Georgia Bulldogs, winning in 2022 and 2023. He also won the Orange Bowl in 2021 and the Peach Bowl in consecutive seasons in 2021 and 2022.
Last season, he finished with 37 solo tackles, one forced fumble, two interceptions, and seven passes defended.
Across his two seasons with the Bulldogs, Ringo racked up 63 solo tackles, two interceptions, 15 passes defended and one interception touchdown.
A number of NFL teams will be keeping a close eye on him in this year's draft.