Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm has a unique anniversary coming up.
On May 17 of last year, Fromm and friend Jordan Rowe spent the day bass fishing near Rowe's tiny Peach State hometown of Adel. When daylight gave way to darkness, Rowe hurried a cast that managed to launch a lure into Fromm's left calf.
"It really didn't hurt at first, and then he started yanking it out," a smiling Fromm said last month after the G-Day spring game. "That wasn't my fault. My buddy was the one who stuck me. It was dark, and I honestly thought it was just a really big mosquito bite when it happened.
"He started reeling it in, and I was like, 'Ouch! That kind of hurts.'"
Fromm had to visit Cook Medical Center in Adel to have the lure removed. He made the most of that experience with an Instagram post of his calf accompanied by the message, "Works so good it hooks humans, too."
Offseason mishaps for Fromm last year didn't end there, as the 6-foot-2, 225-pounder suffered a broken left hand in July while wakeboarding with friends on Lake Martin. The culprit this time was a handle at the end of a pull rope that snapped back and struck him.
Storing Fromm away in bubble wrap is not an option during this or any other time on the calendar, but this is an awkward annual stretch for him whether a cast and stitches are involved or not.
"I am such a creature of habit," he said. "I love having a system for everything I do."
Nearly four months remain until Fromm's junior season kicks off with an Aug. 31 date at Vanderbilt. His career to this point consists of 5,376 passing yards with 54 aerial touchdowns and just 13 interceptions, and Fromm's career efficiency rating of 165.9 is the best in Bulldogs history.
More importantly, Fromm has guided Georgia to a 24-5 record that includes a 12-0 mark against Southeastern Conference Eastern Division foes, the 2017 league championship and a Rose Bowl victory. That translates to the role of unquestioned leader on this year's offense.
"He's taken a step forward in asserting his personality on the receivers and the O-line," Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart said after G-Day. "He hasn't been timid in stepping up and saying things to guys that need to be said. Not that he's ever been afraid to do that. I just think he has asserted himself more."
Summer conditioning should reintroduce a desired routine into Fromm's world, with August camp right around the corner from that. Until then, he will have to deal with aspects of his life that are uncommon to most.
Between the time Fromm had the lure in his calf to the point it was removed, he actually had several photographs taken with adoring fans.
"That happens quite often, but I love it," Fromm said. "I really take it for what it is. I know God has put me in this position, so maybe I can shed a little light on him and show love to everybody.
"I'm super thankful for all of this, and I always hope I can be the best I can be."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.