John Schlarman's family, UK coach Mark Stoops and UK offensive lineman in front of the banner honoring the memory of John Schlarman. (Twitter Photo)
It was great to see the University of Kentucky honor former UK player/offensive line coach John Schlarman with a large banner outside of Kroger Field that every fan can see and remember his legacy.
He died last November after battling cancer for about two years. His family was at the stadium Tuesday when the banner was unveiled and his wife, LeeAnne, told BBN Tonight’s Keith Farmer said the family didn’t know what was going to happen.
“We just knew there was something special going on, and they wanted to keep it special for us so it’s been pretty quiet. We didn’t really know,” LeeAnne Schlarman said on WLEX-18. “I was a little overwhelmed. I didn’t realize everyone would be down there and see us. But it was great, too.
“We’ve missed seeing everyone. They’ve made us feel very comfortable and at home still, but we really miss being here as much as we were the past few years.”
Defensive coordinator Brad White called it an “unbelievable tribute” for his former coaching colleague.
“To walk out today and see that, and know every time we walk in the stadium whether it be for a scrimmage, a practice, a game, you look at what the model of being a Kentucky football player, coach, alumni, you name it, he was all of that,” White said.
” I think it’s a great reminder not just for the people who are in this program that were around him and knew coach Schlarman, but for those who didn’t. Coach (Mark Stoops) would always say he’s the ‘Great American’ but he’s really a great Kentuckian.
“Everyone gets to see it when they come to Kroger Field. That’s really moving for us.”
All-American tackle Darian Kinnard’s mother, Mandy Rae Headrick, said she felt Schlarman’s passing last year “destroyed” her son’s spirit in a lot of ways.
“I get emotional. He worked so hard to be the best he could be while John was there to be strong for him,” Headrick said. “It was a blessing we got to keep John as long as we did.
“It’s still incredible his last game on the sideline was the win at Tennessee. Darian was very grateful and very blessed to have played for him as he did. He was just a special man and even now I still get emotional just thinking about him and what he did for my son.”
