Nick Haynes’ Devotion to his Family, Country, and Team

There’s something about an Olympic year that brings out the best in America. Our nation feels an added sense of patriotic pride in athletic accomplishment as well as its favorite team’s diverse and unique make-up.

For military families, that feeling is a 365 day-a-year experience. I feel a great deal of pride and special connection with families of those that serve our nation. The Soldier, Sailor, Marine or Airman may wear the uniform, but his or her family also experiences vast sacrifice and challenges.

Nick Haynes may be 6’3, 315 pounds; but he will always be an Air Force kid. Like most in the military, his family moved quite often. Home was wherever his family was stationed. They’ve lived in Alaska where his mother performed dual duties as a momma and coach. The Haynes’ family also had stayovers in California, Florida as well as other parts of the world.   

Here’s my Friday conversation with Nick about football, military, Olympics, and family:

Haynes has started 10 games as a Wildcat. Eddie Gran has described the junior as being one of the two rocks of his offense. With center Jon Toth being the other, the interior OL will be Kentucky’s line-of-scrimmage strength in 2016. Haynes is a consistent worker and is universally respected within the program. Lessons learned while growing up in a military family have greatly influenced today’s product. Through determination, Haynes has worked his way into the starting lineup. He’s scheduled to graduate in December and then begin graduate school.

For Kentucky to increase offensive production, Coach John Schlarman must have responsible and consistent performers up front. Nick Haynes brings both to the Wildcat table.