Georgia Tech’s Justice Haynes ‘was born into’ a legacy bigger than football

Pelé called him the “Black Pearl.” The people of Trinidad and Tobago anointed him the “Black Prince” of their country.

Verron’s father, Justice’s grandfather, was a Caribbean star on the soccer pitch. He became an icon for community activism.

So when Justice Haynes writes “1 of 1″ on his football pads for Georgia Tech’s season opener Thursday against Colorado, he means he’s built differently.

So was his father. So was his grandfather.

Through decades and generations, the Haynes family has never been interested in following a conventional path.

“I pride myself on being different in every aspect,” Justice said. “If you want to do something extraordinary, you want to do extraordinary things, you have to operate differently.”

Justice was a gridiron star before he could drive. His dad didn’t put on a football helmet until his junior year at North Springs High.

Verron Haynes was born in Trinidad, moved to New York City and then Atlanta. He was a walk-on for the University of Georgia football team, where his 2001 game-winning touchdown catch against Tennessee — and Larry Munson’s famous “Hobnail boot” radio call — is remembered as one of the greatest plays in Bulldogs history.

He played seven seasons in the NFL and won Super Bowl XL in 2006 with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

During his career, Verron worked to bring families battling cancer to games. All expenses, including lodging, meals and tickets, were provided. And Verron, whose sister died of breast cancer, brought his guests into the locker room after games.

He learned how to help others at an early age. Verron watched his dad. And he listened when his dad said that if his hands weren’t open to give, then he would be unable to receive.

“It was always who he was, and what I saw growing up,” Verron said. “What you do is not who you are. Football is not your identity. I would hope that people would say gracious things about you and that you’re not just a great football player.”

Buggy Haynes played as a forward and served as captain for Trinidad and Tobago’s national team during the 1960s and 1970s, representing the country in World Cup qualifiers and CONCACAF championships.

After he retired, Buggy opened a coaching school in his home country to mentor young athletes in soccer, cricket and track and field. And he fought fiercely against government and commercial attempts to develop and build on public green spaces and recreational fields.

Buggy died last year. He was 76.

Verron said he didn’t fully grasp how much his dad meant until the funeral.

“You couldn’t even get in where we had the burial,” Verron said. “That’s how much he was loved.”

At a July 2025 memorial service in the small town of Tacarigua, Buggy’s childhood friend Selwyn Cudjoe called him “our Black Prince.”

“Buggy led the charge to save the largest green space area in the northeastern part of the island from becoming a concrete and asphalt jungle,” Cudjoe, a professor of Africana Studies at Wellesley College, said.

That fight pitted Buggy against his own government.

“And Buggy wasn’t afraid to put his life on the line for that,” Cudjoe said.

Justice visited his grandfather in Trinidad as a child. It wasn’t like his home in Georgia. There were areas that he described as third-world.

But Justice said he gained something valuable from his time there.

“My family always had a smile on their face,” he said. “They always thank the Lord for what they have, and they wake up every day just blessed for the day. That’s what has been passed through my family. Just be thankful for the day.”

After winning a high school football championship at Blessed Trinity and playing his senior year as an AJC Super 11 selection at powerhouse Buford, Justice began his college career at Alabama.

Credit: Steve Schaefer

Credit: Steve Schaefer

After two seasons, 616 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, he transferred to Michigan. Last year with the Wolverines, he rushed for 857 yards and 10 touchdowns in just seven games before surgery to repair an injured foot ended his season.

This offseason, he could have turned pro.

Instead, he chose to come to Tech.

In this era of college football, the transfer portal and roster turnover are frequently cited by fans, coaches and administrators as a source of frustration.

To Verron, though, the movement is simply what has been best for his son.

On the field, Justice signed up to play for Nick Saban and two former offensive linemen turned coaches in Michigan’s Sherrone Moore and Tech’s Brent Key.

“We know those guys are going to run the ball,” Verron said.

But Justice’s mother, Brandi Gowdy, made sure there was balance. If a college’s curriculum didn’t line up or credits would be lost, a transfer there was off the table.

Justice had already earned an undergraduate degree by the time he left Michigan. Now he’s pursuing a graduate degree at Tech.

“I couldn’t be more proud and happy of his decisions and his journey,” Verron said. “I’m so proud of the man he’s becoming.”

Now, that journey has brought Justice home.

He attends church on Sundays with his family, who won’t have to travel so much to see him play. He’s also stayed connected with the coaches who helped shape him, including Buford’s Bryant Appling.

“One of the strongest, smoothest, well-balanced backs I’ve ever seen,” Appling said. “He’s going to do a great job down in The Flats this year.”

Last Christmas, Justice partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of metro Atlanta. He gave 20 kids and their families each $200 for a shopping spree. He’s also worked with charities to raise awareness and money for mental health initiatives.

Those are things he watched his dad and grandfather do.

“It’s something I was born into,” Justice said. “Sports are cool, but if you leave a room, how are people going to remember you? Every place I walk, I want to leave a legacy that’s bigger than myself.”

Credit: Colin Hubbard

Credit: Colin Hubbard