I woke up this morning headed to the computer and opened my work email. I had a reminder come up “Birthday – Kent”. I then paused a few minutes and contemplated his life. I often find myself thinking of my brother. Even though it’s been 8 years since his passing I think about him at least every other day. I think of how much fun we could have had together had he still been here.
I often think of how proud he must be of me in coaching high school football at our alma mater. Part of why I coach is because I know he loved to and would love to do it again. During this offseason when I was adjusting some of the blocking schemes for our plays I was pounding my head about it and sat back and thought “Man! I wish I could pick Kent’s brain on this”. Kent was a student of the game, he LOVED football. He loved the impact he had on young kids. I too feel that same feeling of having a positive impact on young men and helping be a role model and a good example of what hard work will get you.
I remember as a kid watching WWF wrestler Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant with Kent. Then later on when WWF became popular again I remember watching Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock. Kent loved the big egos of these wrestlers and had a great talent of imitating their acts. We could both relate to these athletes. I know some may roll your eyes or think this is ridiculous but these guys are athletes and truly bust their buts to be in the shape they are. Kent and I both played at BYU 10 years apart from each other. We both had fond (or not so fond) memories of killing ourselves to get in the best shape we could possibly be to be able to set foot on a field where you’d find 60,000+ fans cheering. The electricity of that experience is what drove us both to be the best we could be. That is one of the reasons we relate to these wrestlers.
Recently I watched Wresltemania 28, the “Showcase of the Immortals” as they call it. Yes to this day I still watch wrestling, partly because it fills a void of the many voids Kent has left. I thought a lot of Kent and how he would have loved to watch this with me. One of the promos was with one of our favorite wrestlers The Rock. I don’t care who you are if you watch this video and don’t get excited to go to the gym and workout you have a screw loose! Ok, maybe that is more directed at anyone who has played sports.
Of all the men in my life next to my father Kent has had the greatest impact on me as an individual and in whom I have become today. He helped in showing by example and also teaching me about hard work and how determination and passion can help you go a long way. I will always hold those memories of him close to me.
So to Kent, I know I’m a day early on this but happy birthday you old fart!
I miss you my dear brother, I can’t wait to see you again! God be with you til we meet again!

