Clay Ferguson, 8, of Lexington dresses in football gear for the games. He always stands near the tunnel when the players come on the field and exit. Player Christian Johnson gave him a glove he treasures. (Photo contributed)

Clay Ferguson, 8, of Lexington has been to three bowl games and is looking forward to his fourth. (Photo contributed)

By LARRY VAUGHT

When I checked my e-mail Sunday, I found this:

“Mr. Vaught, I am Christian Johnson’s biggest fan. I met Christian after a game next to the tunnel and he gave me a glove.”

That came from 8-year-old Clay Ferguson of Lexington and thanks to his parents, Heather and Gene Ferguson, I got the rest of a very heart-warming story involving Johnson, UK’s senior offensive guard.

“At the end of the big win at Auburn earlier this season, we took Clay down to the wall close to the field to see the players before they headed into the locker rooms. Christian noticed Clay wearing his UK uniform, including helmet and full pads, and he handed Clay one of his gloves,” Heather Ferguson wrote. “Clay wore the glove constantly and took it with him everywhere when we returned to Lexington. He would even wear it to bed each night.

“Later that week, Clay spent the night with a cousin and took his new prized possession. Unfortunately, during the sleepover, the cousin’s dog chewed the fingers off Clay’s glove. Clay was devastated. He was so upset that we found Christian on Facebook. We sent Christian a note, told him the story and thanked him for giving Clay the glove. Christian replied that he would look for Clay at the end of the next game.

“At the end of all the home games, Clay goes down to the corner next to the tunnel to wait for the players as they head to the locker room. That week, Clay was joined by his two younger cousins on the wall. Christian, keeping his word, found Clay — or so he thought. Christian took off his gloves and handed one to each of Clay’s cousins. Needless to say, Clay was disappointed not to get a replacement for the glove that had been chewed up. However, Clay was happy that his younger cousins were able to share in the joy of seeing the players up close after a game.

Finally received replacement glove

“Not to worry, Clay attends all of the home games and some of the road games each season, so there would be more opportunities. The next day we received a note from Christian, hoping that he had given the glove to the correct young fan. We thanked Christian for giving gloves to Clay’s cousins and said Clay would look for him after the Eastern Kentucky game. At the end of the EKU game, Christian found Clay and gave him a glove again. Finally! Clay was so pumped and is especially excited to have become friends with Christian.

“I don’t need to tell you that Christian is a outstanding young man and role model for young fans like our son, Clay.”

I have to agree. Christian Johnson has become one of my favorite Cats. He’s been in Rich Brooks’ doghouse because of his academics and weight. He has had to battle injuries. But he’s always been pleasant and honest with me and he’s made a huge difference in UK’s offensive line play this year after missing last season for health/academic reasons.

It’s no surprise that he befriended Clay Ferguson — and it sounds like Clay appreciates what Johnson has done more than even Johnson will ever realize.

Johnson told me Monday that he remembers meeting Clay the first time — and also giving the gloves to his cousins and not him.

“He still writes me some on Facebook and I know he will be at my last game Saturday,” Johnson said. “I am just glad I could put a smile on his face.”

Clay’s grandparents have had season tickets since Commonwealth Stadium opened in 1973. His parents both were born in Lexington and grew up as UK fans.

“Gene’s brother, Brad, played on the 1998 Outback Bowl team. Eleven of us sit together at the games. We still live in Lexington, so it is easy to get to the games and cheer on the Cats,” Heather Ferguson said. “Clay was born in January of 2001, so he started attending games that fall. Fortunately, he didn’t require a ticket for a few years. He has missed very few home games and travels to at least one road game each year. This year, he has been to all of the home games, Auburn, Vandy and is looking forward to a bowl game.

“The Cats have been to three bowl games since Clay was born and he was there to see us win all three of them. He hopes to cheer them on to their fourth victory very soon.”

Clay and his parents will be at Saturday’s game against Tennessee, which will be Senior Day for Johnson and his teammates.

Clay will be in his UK uniform and at the end of the game he always stands on the wall in the student section, helmet and all, in hopes of getting to talk to a player or catch a wrist band. That’s where he first met Johnson.

“For the away games, he wears a white uniform, just like the team. The white jerseys are hard to find, but we have found a store that will make them for him. We have even gone to great lengths to find out what color they are wearing at the bowl games so he can match the team,” Heather Ferguson said.

Clay has slept with Christian’s glove on. He has taken it to school, church and even piano lessons.

“He plays football and we are lucky that his season is over. If not, I am confident that he would be wearing it during the game,” Heather Ferguson said.

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