Kentucky Football: Started From the Bottom
By Terry Brown
“Started from the bottom, now we’re here.
Started from the bottom now my whole team here.”
– Drake
Nov 17, 2012; Lexington , KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Raymond Sanders (4) runs the ball against the Samford Bulldogs at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
It’s time. The time for the Wildcats to Rise is here. For far too long, the Wildcat faithful have been downtrodden. They’ve been mocked and ridiculed. The Football Wildcats have been dismissed, forever in the shadows of the Men’s Basketball team. The Big Blue Faithful have been patiently waiting for that sun to rise on that fall morning, just over the rolling hills bluegrass, the dawn of a new day for football in the Commonwealth.
Nov 24, 2012; Knoxville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Jalen Whitlow (13) scrambles for yardage against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
There have been promises before. Great men have come and gone, none being able to establish much a tradition. Men like Bryant and Brooks, Curci and Curry. They’ve come to Lexington with high hopes, but each has left Lexington unable to the Cats over the hump, not to a championship caliber program, but just to respectability and away from year in and year out mediocrity. Though the men were unable to reach their own goals, the foundation was laid and the promise was made that one day, the Cats would be great.
2013 is when that promise will start to materialize. It’s when the dream will be realized. When the investments made on the blood, sweat and tears of so many will begin to pay their dividends. 2013 is the year that the long suffering Big Blue Faithful will be rewarded. The time has come for all in the Big Blue Nation to come and enjoy the fruits of their labor and become the force in football that the Cats are on the hardwood. The time for “wait for next year” is over. The time for rebuilding is done. The time for preparing to face the Wildcat’s manifest destiny is here. The time for football, Wildcat Football is now.
For the first time in at least a generation, there is an excitement for the Football program that is warranted. New Coach Mark Stoops has set the college football world on fire for bringing in top recruits, while beating out more established college football programs. Stoops is excited to be here. The rest of the coaching staff is excited to be here. The players are excited to be here. Why? Because the time is now to be a Wildcat, to be a part of something special. The coaches and players know it. And the fans know it. And, soon enough, the college football world will know it.
Dec 2, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Vikings 23-14. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
For every player that has ever stepped onto the turf at Commonwealth Stadium, we thank you. We appreciate your sacrifice. We thank you for giving the team, the university and the fans everything you had and playing with Bluegrass Pride. And what better way to honor your hard work than with the Cats, like the legendary phoenix, rising from the ashes and setting the college football world afire?
For Randall Cobb. For Tim Couch. For Jared Lorenzen. For Art Still. For Moe Williams. For Derek Ramsey. For Babe Parilli. For Mark Higgs. For Dermonti Dawson. For George Blanda. For “Bear” Bryant. For Jerry Claiborne. For Craig Yeast. For Sonny Collins.
The field is still 100 yards long. It’s still just a shade over 53 yards wide. The school colors are still Royal Wildcat Blue and White. The band will play my Old Kentucky Home. The crowd will still sing, loud and proud, the words to “On, On, UofK.” Folks will still attempt the beloved tradition of the Keeneland afternoon/Commonwealth Stadium night daily double. Some things will never change.
But, thankfully, there is a change coming. There’s a change coming in Lexington. The Big Blue Nation has seen the bottom. But we’re headed to the top. Finally, the belief of the fans has been rewarded and while it may not happen this season, there’s a change coming. That bright new day is fast approaching, brothers and sisters. The day when the Cats will be at the top. I believe. You believe. The entire Big Blue Nation believes.
Til the Battle is won… Bring home the victory, Cats.