I've been read-only on the board for a few weeks now, which has been good for me but also frustrating. That frustration reached it's climax the last few days reading what many have had to say, on this board and via other channels online, in regards to Kenny Bell's career being over.
Some of you guys should feel ashamed of yourselves.
Kenny deserves so much better than what he has gotten from 'the best fans in college football', and for all the woe is us rhetoric being thrown around in regards to how Bo drove a wedge between the fanbase and the players, we sure aren't doing our part trying to remove that wedge when we continuously trash on a kid that gave everything that was asked of him for so long.
And why? Because he wrote 'Pelini' on his arms? There is literally not a single thing wrong with him wanting to publicly show his appreciation for a man that he views as a father, that he admires and loves and attributes his growth as a man towards, that afforded him the opportunity to live and chase after his dreams for the last 5 years, that his mom trusted to take care of and protect and teach her son as he left home in the most transformative years of his life. Kenny's gesture of appreciation towards his head coach is not at all at odds with his love for our school, state or fanbase, which he has repeatedly expressed fondness towards. You can be a 'Boliever' and a Husker at the same time, Count' Bility, and it's a shame that you don't realize that. The very last thing he said in his very last interview was, "I hope Coach Riley the best. I want nothing but the best for Nebraska. I love Nebraska football and I always will so, I absolutely want the best for them." The last thing he tweeted before his last game was, "One last game day as a husker. It's been an honor. GBR!!!!"
Remember that the other side of his tape said Family Over Everything. For four years it said that. His entire career that's what he choose to publicly stand for and remind himself of as he played. Also remember that Ameer Abdullah paid Bo a similar tribute. So did Jake Cotton, so did Josh Kalu, so did the entire team by leaving his seat empty.
Remember that when the 2012 team went through a military gauntlet training experience in the offseason, it was Kenny that was put in charge of leading a team across the pool in a straight line. It was Kenny that, when every single other person that had ever done it had jumped in the front, Kenny led by jumping in behind the team, leading like a servant.
Remember that Kenny has always considered his year on scout team the most valuable experience of his life, and wore that scout team jersey every practice and every game his entire career, to remind himself of where he came from but also of all the guys ahead of him that helped make him better.
Remember that every year he was here, Kenny was the leader by example among the receiving corps to do the little things, the less glamorous things, to help the team be successful. He was, despite being skinny as a rail, the most tenacious blocker on the team. He was the one that led Taylor and Tommy and Ameer and so many others into the endzone by putting his body in the way. He was the one that played through all kinds of nonstop injuries that would leave me in bed. He was the one that showed concern for injured opposing players and the one that was always ready to hold coaches back or calm players down when things were about to get out of control. He rarely had a non-supportive thing to say about anyone.
Remember that whether or not you agreed with his opinions, Kenny always spoke his mind honestly and thoughtfully, which should be applauded. He never once gave a canned PC interview, and he never cared if you liked what he had to say or not, because it was never his job to make you happy, and he refused to be a lifeless zombie play thing for your amusement. He was always considerate, personable and willing to give his time to media members and fans as well, often staying well after games and fan days signing autographs, taking pictures, and giving wristbands and gloves to little kids. He gave back to the community more than you ever have, likely with several years more time. He visited my cousin in the hospital after he was left paralyzed and had just recovered from being comatose. He was Jack's escort to the ESPY's. He was an example and a representative of our school and state that we could be proud of, and never had any off the field incidents.
Remember that Kenny is at the top of all our receiving records because he was good, not because he played a lot of games. Hampered by injuries, targeted by projects at quarterback, and a member of some very overall average offensive systems under average coaches, he made the most of every inconvenience and played a great career of football, while being recognized by coaches and media as one of the best at his position amongst peers.
Remember that noone on the team had more fun playing football than Kenny did.
I know this is already being talked about to a certain extent, and mods can feel free to merge this if they must, but I'm physically ill seeing some of the words that have been spoken towards a kid that gave me so many memories, laughs, reasons to cheer and be proud of the team I support. I'm going to miss you Kenny.
