WATCH: TODAY Show interviews Kentucky coal miner about Blue-White Game

It’s official: the Kentucky coal miner story is everywhere. This morning, the TODAY show interviewed Micheal McGuire, the Eastern Kentucky coal miner who went straight from his shift at the mines to Saturday’s Blue-White Game to be with his family, still in uniform and covered in coal dust. By now, you know the story well. A photo of McGuire and his son, Easton, went viral on Monday, prompting John Calipari to reach out to the family and invite them to a game at Rupp Arena. It quickly became the feel-good story of the week, spreading everywhere on social media and appearing on almost every major news outlet.

“It’s just all mind-blowing,” McGuire said of the attention the story has garnered this week. “I never imagined it.”

The Blue-White Game raised over $162,000 for Eastern Kentucky flood relief on top of the $2 million the team raised back in August. As Mollie told Tom Leach earlier this week, the family has chosen the Kansas game on Jan. 28 for their VIP experience, and will also bring their one-year-old daughter Lindley.

Calipari on the coal miner story: “You’re bringing light to a good man”

At Kentucky Basketball Media Day on Tuesday, John Calipari opened up about his conversation with Micheal and Mollie, and why he felt compelled to reach out to them.

“I was sent the picture and never even looked at who sent it to me because when I saw the picture, I was like — it hit me right between the eyes when I saw it,” Cal said. “He wanted to be there so bad that he was willing to leave without showering, without changing. Just get in his car and go because he got out of the mine late. What about that? He wanted to be there with his son. That’s why I did it.”

This story has clearly touched the hearts of millions this week. For some, it’s a testament to hard work and the importance of family. For Calipari, it was also a needed reminder of the makeup of the Big Blue Nation, a fan base with which he is committed to reconnecting.

“You guys know me. For two years, I couldn’t go anywhere [because of] COVID. Couldn’t be out, couldn’t — just awful for everything. I’ve done some things that have been fulfilling for my wife and I but this, you’d have to say, you’re bringing light to a good man. A hard-working Kentuckian, a coal miner who does everything he can to make time for his family, his son, and his daughter. Come on. That’s what it ends up being. That’s the story.”

I can’t wait to see the next chapter in January.