Kentucky Football Salute to Service is Personal for Brad White

This Saturday, Kentucky is getting its final opportunity of the season to end its lengthy drought at home against SEC opponents. The Wildcats have a 10-game losing streak at Kroger Field in SEC play. They’re playing for pride against Florida, and also for some special fans who will be in the stands.

The Florida game is Kentucky’s Salute to Service day at Kroger Field. Members of the military, law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and government employees are eligible to purchase specially-priced tickets through GovX by using this link.

The game typically involves additional pomp and circumstance for the occasion. Coaches wear caps supporting the Lexington fire and police departments. An American flag might cover the entire field during the National Anthem. Even though it’s an annual tradition, one that can become an overlooked routine, that’s far from the case for Brad White.

“The true sacrifice that the men and women of our armed services make on a daily basis is far greater than any issue that we have to deal with in a football program. I try not to lose sight of that,” White said earlier this week.

“You know, we get stuck in our own worlds, but we realize that the sacrifice that men and women are making for us so that we can play games on Saturdays, have fun in locker rooms after wins, and experience the sting of defeat, it’s much more real, you know, the battles that they have to fight. So again, a huge shout-out to our military, and thank you for all you do.”

The Kentucky defensive coordinator was raised in a military family. Both of his grandfathers served during World War II, his father spent 20 years in the Air Force, and his brother recently retired after 20 years as a pilot in the Marine Corps.

White wed his coaching career with his military background. His first FBS coaching job was at the Air Force Academy. During each of his two seasons as the Falcons’ linebackers coach, Air Force won the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy and advanced to a bowl game, capping off the 2010 campaign with a 9-win season in the Independence Bowl.

College football can become all-consuming. Saturday’s Salute to Service is a reminder that we cannot take this wonderful sport for granted. It would not be possible without the sacrifice of others.

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