The year was 1982. I was a sixth grade quarterback at Cumberland Elementary proudly representing the Harlan County Champion Redskin football team. Georgia’s Hershel Walker was bigger than life. You see, there was only one, maybe two, college football games on television on Saturdays back then. Walker was THE name, a mythical figure constructed in grainy highlights choreographed to the sweet voice of Keith Jackson.
Sports were my life at twelve years old. My heroes wore blue and white as well as Steeler gold and black. My dad had UK season tickets and I’d seen plenty of UK games.