Grimm excited to cheer on Georgia at title game

CHICAGO -- Justin Grimm may rub his Cubs World Series championship ring for good luck before Monday's College Football Playoff National Championship Game between his Georgia team and Alabama.
Grimm, who played baseball for the Bulldogs from 2008-10, and his wife, Gina, who was an All-American gymnast at Georgia, are going to Monday's game in Atlanta, thanks to Cubs pitcher Jon Lester.
Lester has a suite at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where the game is being played, and he offered it to the Grimms.
"My good friend Jon, who I owe my life to, has a box at the stadium," Grimm said. "He decided to do a pro move and give me the box. I'm going to enjoy it with a lot of my friends. It's pretty special. He'll never know how much it means to me."
The Red Sox drafted Grimm in the 13th round in 2007, but he opted to pitch for Georgia rather than go pro. In 2010, the Rangers selected the right-hander in the fifth round, and he was included in the July 2013 deal to the Cubs, along with Carl Edwards Jr., Mike Olt and Neil Ramírez for Matt Garza. Last season was Grimm's fifth with the Cubs.
Grimm, 29, says he doesn't have a pregame ritual regarding the Georgia football team, but he has been wearing a Matthew Stafford jersey in honor of the Detroit Lions' quarterback who also attended the university.
"I think once I get to Atlanta, I'll buy a Roquan Smith jersey or a Nick Chubb jersey -- no offense to Stafford," Grimm said, opting for one of the current Bulldogs.
The New Year's Day Rose Bowl game between Georgia and Oklahoma was nerve-wracking. The Bulldogs eventually won, 54-48, in double overtime.
"When I was watching that game, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time," Grimm said. "Two overtimes -- it's pretty amazing. It was a good game overall. I'm pumped to get to Atlanta and watch the Dawgs take on Alabama. It'll be a huge game."
This will be a big season for the Grimms, who are expecting their first child in June. However, not all of Grimm's Cubs connections are rooting for the Bulldogs. Former teammate and free-agent catcher Alex Avila went to Alabama. After the semifinal game, Grimm sent Avila a text, saying, "Go Dawgs."
Avila's response? "Roll Tide."