Georgia Southern University unveiled a statue Friday afternoon to honor and remember the legacy of Freedom, the beloved bald eagle mascot who passed away on March 29. The ceremony took place at the Gene Bishop Fieldhouse, with the statue set to be permanently installed in front of Paulson Stadium, next to the existing statue of Erk Russell.
Freedom had been an integral part of the Georgia Southern community since 2004, when he was discovered after being knocked out of a nest in Maitland, Florida. A permanent injury to his beak prevented his release back into the wild, leading to his role as the university's live mascot. The entire statue project was developed in close consultation with Steve Hein, executive director of the Center for Wildlife Education at Georgia Southern, who served as Freedom's longtime handler.
Hein was instrumental in making Freedom not only a centerpiece of Georgia Southern athletics with pre-kickoff flights at football games at Paulson Stadium, but also a community ambassador who appeared at graduations, the Lamar Q Ball, Jr. Raptor Center, local schools, and events throughout the region. Athletic Director Chris Davis noted that "Freedom inspired us all," while Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation board member Dorline Nelson joined in celebrating the statue's unveiling.
David Ball, who attended Friday's ceremony, recalled the origins of Georgia Southern's eagle program when Hein first proposed the idea decades ago. "Steve walked into my restaurant back in 1990 or the first part of 1991 and said, 'David, what do you think about having an eagle at Georgia Southern?' And, you know, at the time, this was 35 years ago, I said, 'Hell, that'd be great. That would really be neat.' So, we started from there," Ball remembered.
The process of acquiring Freedom was lengthy and required significant patience from the university community. "We applied to the National Wildlife Association about getting a live eagle for Georgia Southern... We were on the waiting list for 13 years for Freedom. And when we got Freedom in 2004, that was a real big celebration," Ball explained. Biologist and falconer Steve Layman, who was instrumental in Freedom's training alongside Hein, also attended the ceremony and shared memories of the eagle's more adventurous pre-game flights.
Hein's dedication to Freedom extended well beyond the scheduled appearances, as he would remain on the field after each home game until every person who wanted a photograph with the eagle or simply to see him had the opportunity. During Friday's event, Hein shared a particularly moving story that illustrated Freedom's profound impact on people from all walks of life.
"I was walking off the football field, and I kind of noticed that it looked like there was someone moving towards me. And she started walking faster, and I looked over my shoulder, and I realized she's coming a little bit hot, and that's okay. And then I realized she was speaking Spanish and she got closer. She was weeping, she was crying. And as she approached me, I turned to greet her and she went up to Freedom and she just kissed him right on the wing," Hein recounted.
The story continued with an explanation that highlighted the symbolic power Freedom held for many people. "And behind her was this young woman who came up and I just immediately said 'What did I do? I'm so sorry, what happened? Why is she crying?' And folks, she said, she's not crying for anything that you did. She is from Honduras and she wants to be a U.S. citizen. That was the power of Freedom. That's what he meant to so many," Hein explained.
According to Georgia Southern's official release, the restoration and construction of the statue and pedestal represented an ongoing collaborative project managed by the Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art. The landscaping for the statue's installation was completed through the combined efforts of the Division of Facilities Planning, Design & Construction and Dabbs Williams General Contractors, ensuring the memorial would be properly integrated into the stadium's surroundings.
The university emphasized Freedom's lasting impact on the community, noting that he connected with people in meaningful ways and consistently brought smiles to faces while reminding everyone that Georgia Southern's traditions represent something truly special. Hein's care, dedication, and friendship allowed Freedom to thrive and inspire countless individuals throughout his years of service to the university and surrounding community.
