ATHENS – Don’t hate the player, hate the game.

That’s the good advice for those who aren’t sure what to think about Carson Beck withdrawing his name from the NFL Draft and entering the transfer portal.

It’s a smart move for Beck to return to college football for another season and improve his NFL Draft numbers, especially after suffering an elbow injury that would prevent him from showcasing his skills at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine to prove.

As for how Beck leaves Georgia, this is a player who gave the Bulldogs five seasons – three on the bench without transferring – and then served as the 24/7 starting quarterback.

Beck had a 13-1 record in his first season as a starter and had to make a decision: go pro, as a projected late first-round NFL pick, or earn a NIL deal and return for another season in hope , to win a national title.

According to a source familiar with the situation, Beck decided to cash the college check this season, but his return came with the condition that Georgia get an elite receiver in the portal and provide top-notch pass protection.

Was Colbie Young — who had 11 catches in the five games he played before being suspended — an “elite” receiver signing?

Did the offensive line adequately protect Beck?

Georgia fans know the answers to these questions.

And yet it was Beck who received the most criticism as the starting quarterback.

Part of that was down to Beck, who made the rookie mistake of flaunting his zero wealth on social media and sharing his confident attitude a little too casually.

Did Beck really have to show off his new tattoo at SEC Media Days? “The sky is the limit.”

To be fair, there was no choice but to lose for Beck, as he entered the season as the best returning passer in the country, a Heisman Trophy favorite and a projected No. 1 NFL draft pick for the year Team with number 1 from the previous season.

In Beck’s defense, he would have accepted it just as well because the expectations were there.

The problem for Beck and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo is that there weren’t enough players with the skills in the supporting cast.

There was no quarterback in America that would win the Heisman Trophy like the Georgia receiving corps did that season, which led the nation with about 38 dropped passes.

Remember the Alabama game and the perfectly thrown deep ball that landed on the Bulldogs’ first possession?

Or how a receiver missed a call at the line on the second drive, leading to the Tide intercepting a pass deep in UGA territory that led to their second touchdown?

Those plays weren’t Beck’s fault, but the incompletions, the interceptions and the legacy of not being able to beat Alabama are all on his resume.

Beck was visibly frustrated at times this season – which the cameras certainly caught – even as Kirby Smart stood steadfastly behind him.

Smart’s endorsement should be a catalyst for Georgia fans.

If Smart — who oversaw every practice, workout and film grain — stayed in Beck’s corner through thick and thin, others should too.

The view here is that Beck grew up before our eyes this season, maturing, developing his game, overcoming dropped passes and delivering an unusually average running game at Georgia.

Injuries and suspensions played a role in the Bulldogs’ failure to give Beck the support he needed to showcase his abilities.

To Beck’s credit, once he was no longer tense in the running game, he put Georgia’s offense on his shoulders, making crucial come-from-behind attacks in wins over Tennessee and Georgia Tech.

Maybe Beck would have done this again in the SEC championship game against Texas if his blocking hadn’t failed him and allowed a Texas defender to deliver a season-ending blow to him at halftime.

Well, an end to the season so to speak…

Beck came back into the game with his arm dangling at his side when Gunner Stockton was forced to the sideline on the final play of the game because his helmet was torn off.

Beck wanted to make sure he was read correctly at the line of scrimmage, got a clean snap and flawlessly handed off the game-winning play to Trevor Etienne.

This is how I will remember Carson Beck.

It’s truly unfortunate that the blindside blow early in the game – on a dangerous Hail Mary pass at the end of the first half – ultimately cost Beck millions of dollars in this year’s NFL Draft and put him in this precarious situation.

Beck will make more zero dollars elsewhere — if UGA decides not to play — but it won’t be an easy situation going into a different locker room with new teammates, new coaches and a new offense.

Georgia will move on with or without Beck because that’s exactly how Smart works.

Remember, the Bulldogs were poised to replace Stetson Bennett after he won the program’s first national championship in 40 years three years ago and Caleb Williams was in the portal to bid at the time.

In fact, Stockton acknowledged that another quarterback may be coming this offseason because “great players are supposed to come to Georgia.”

College football is a business, and Beck has lived up to his contract and five-year commitment to Georgia.

Beck allowed everything to happen on the field; his commitment and tenacity were never questioned, nor was his will to win.

If it’s time for Beck to try out a new environment then so be it, most sensible fans will understand.

Beck learned important lessons in Georgia, and the three years he spent waiting his turn instead of making a quick buck elsewhere should be cherished and remembered.

Georgia can also learn the importance of filling the receiver room with players who can catch passes, block and play special teams.

Players, not players, win games. Former coordinator Todd Monken was an ace, but his deck was loaded with players like future 1,000-yard NFL producers Brock Bowers, Ladd McConkey and James Cook — along with dozens of three-and-out stops that helped his UGA -Offenses immediately turned off again on the field with advantageous field position and leadership.

When it comes to the skill positions, the Bulldogs are moving in the right direction again.

Recent portal additions include at least two elite receivers, and there will likely be at least one impact pass catcher in this new freshman class. The running back room appears to start with explosive – and healthy and experienced – playmakers Trevor Etienne and Nate Frazier.

Overall, Beck’s ability to lead Georgia to two SEC Championship games was impressive under the circumstances.

Georgia will be fine, the world will keep turning and more players will certainly come and go through the portal’s turnstiles.

Don’t hate these players either, hate the game.