By LARRY VAUGHT
All of us have so much to be thankful for on Thanksgiving. However, I got to thinking today about the Kentucky football team and Saturday’s Senior Day and came up with my own special list of reasons to be thankful for this senior class.
Here are some of my special thanks as I spend time today with my family in Nashville:
 I am thankful I got to know running back Alfonso Smith, who overcame a horrible home life in California thanks to a move to live with his sister in Louisville and has been a joy to be around. Just this week he was named to the SEC Good Works Team because he has put in over 200 hours of community service with his Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, has been a visitor and guest speaker at numerous schools and events, participated in a fundraiser for the homeless in Lexington and volunteered with the Salvation Army by serving as a bellringer, selling baked goods and donating his own clothing.
 I am thankful I got to know guard Christian Johnson. He’s sometimes frustrated his coaches with his weight and academics, but he’s always been honest and courteous with me. He was never jealous of his younger brother, Micah, and never blamed others for his mistakes. He came back this year and has made a huge difference for the Cats.
 I am thankful I got to watch John Conner play and see the example he set. He’s gone from a walk-on player to a NFL prospect without drawing attention to himself or even touching the ball often. He’s the ultimate team player.
 I am thankful I got to watch cornerback Trevard Lindley not only make so many game-changing plays, but also got to see him go from a shy, introverted freshman to a much more outgoing, engaging senior.
 I am thankful I got to be around defensive tackle Corey Peters. It seems like he never got the credit he was due, but he never cared. He was all about winning. He constantly praised others, downplayed his contributions and always supported his coaches. He was a daily pleasure to be around.
 I am thankful I got to see linebacker Sam Maxwell finally get his chance to be a full-time starter and then put together a monster season that should earn him a spot in a NFL training camp. His patience is a rare quality in today’s college game. He played his role, learned his lessons and became a star.
My list could go on an on because I am a softy when it comes to good kids  and this senior class is full of good kids. But it is also full of good players considering UK has had four straight winning season of at least seven wins for the first time since 1909-1912, won three straight bowls for the first time ever, beat two top-10 teams, won a school-record 18 straight non-conference games and, most impressively, been part of 12 come from behind wins in the fourth quarter.
So as we celebrate Thanksgiving, take time to let this senior class know what you are thankful for when it comes to them. Let’s have a celebration thread  we know Christian Johnson visits here and can let his teammates know about the site  for you to show these seniors how much you truly appreciate them.
24 Responses to Let UK seniors know why you are thankful for them
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Couldn’t be prouder of this team. You have made Kentucky football fun. I have been with you”ll at every bowl and will be at the next. Go Cats, Beat the Vols.
Thank you John Conner for humiliating so many SEC linebackers, sometimes two at a time with your blocking.
THank you Lindley and Micah for coming back to play for us another year. You too Jarmon.
Thank you Mosby for choosing UK even though you are not with us anymore.
Thank you seniors for letting me be able to war my Kentucky great PROUDLY up here in Michigan for something other than basketball. Thank you for giving me bragging rights.
Thank you for making UK a threat every single week. Thanks for making us a factor.
Thank you Cory Peters for, well…..being a monster.
THank you to our entire offensive line for just being so dominant. We need you to beat YewTee.
Thank you all for making Kentucky a great football team! Thanks for all the wins, all the good times! NOW LETS BEAT TENNESSEE THIS SATURDAY!!!!
Larry , I enjoyed this article more than any other article you have written.I have been at Commonwealth during the very bad 2 win seasons, but an article like this tells you it’s about a whole lot more than winning, the great thing is these kids are winners and even more thay are outstanding individuals. They deserve all the praise in the world for the hard work they have put in , both on and off the field. I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to see these young men grow and take our program to a level I thought I would never see just a few short years ago.I hope everyone has a great holiday, and don’t overeat on the Cardinal (oops. I mean Turkey).
THANK YOU!!! To all the UK seniors for all the blood, sweat and tears for four years. Thank you for letting us be honored to cheer and support you for 4 great years, Thank you for bringing back UK football from many dark days…All of you know the story of “MONSTERMASH”, He could have played for anyone, But he chose to come to UK and helped turn UK back to what It should be, respected….That is what all of you have done..You Guys have not only brought respect back to BBN…You have made the BBN vary proud..I think I speak for all of BIG BLUE NATION!!, Just like MONSTERMASH,You will all ways be Loved and respected by all of us. HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all of you and your family, Stay healthy,stay safe and stay close to your family, All of you will always be in the heart of all the BIG BLUE NATION!!!! GO CATS!! BEAT UT!!! GO BIG BLUE!!!
Happy Thanksgiving, Larry, to you and your great family.
That’s a great list of footballers for UK fans to be thankful for today and for time to come. I wish there were some way to let those seniors who almost never get on the field know that we appreciate and love them too. They’ve been important to the team’s successes. It’s pretty much a long hard thankless task to play squad and know you’ll never be a many-minute player and yet keep the spirit and the effort. These are good guys too.
Thanks so much seniors! You have changed the entire culture of UK football. The Cats have gone
one from an afterthought to a team no one wants to play. Have a good holiday and then take pride in ending the streak against UT. We all know that you can and will.
By Thanksgiving in years past I would be fully engrossed in basketball. Not any more. Who would have believed that UK would turn into a football school?
Go CATS!!!!
I’d like to start by saying Happy Thanksgiving to each and everyone of you all!
I’d also like to say thanks to all of our seniors. It’s another special group of guys (anyone notice this becoming a trend under Brooks?). We must also recognize all the underclassmen as well though. With all the injuries endured this season, the underclassmen have just as much to do with the success of the season as the seniors.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Thank you Seniors for all you have accomplished for this team and for being the fine young men you are. Good luck at whatever awaits you after the next 2 games. GO BIG BLUE!!!!
Really good stuff here. HOpe we get some more as the day goes on. Plan to make sure the guys see it Friday.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL. Holding me 5-month-old granddaughter now
I’m thankful for a senior class which has represented UK and the entire state in the highest fashion. They are well spoken, respectful, and always take time for the fans. You seniors exude class and will always be remembered for your great accomplishments and for continuing to build Kentucky football into a program which will be respected in the SEC and nationally. Best wishes as you move forward in life.
So many have already articulated feelings here mirroring my own, but I would rather risk being redundant than silent or worse yet, apathetic. Unlike Larry, my relationship with these guys is that of the majority of fans around the commonwealth and is a bit of a paradox, at a great distance but nonetheless deep. The players and fans share a great passion for the university as well as representing the commonwealth, and these seniors who, for the most part, were under the radar guys who have, through hard work and dedication, surpassed teams with much more highly touted “talent”. Your 40 time can be measured but your huge hearts and iron will simply can’t, nor can they be contained. When we see you guys dig deep and push past your perceived limits it never ceases to amaze and inspire.
So ultimately, what I am so thankful for is that these guys have grown both on the field and off representing this state well with wins and losses as well as the much more important, but far less measurable, commitment to the community and each other as evidenced by the many outstanding posts Larry has shared with us here.
While you guys will only meet a fraction of the many, many fans who appreciate your efforts and sacrifices, I want you to know that in a way that is exclusively the passion of Kentucky you are us and we are you. We are proud of you and very thankful for all that you have done.
Seniors, thank you for your perseverance. Thanks you for your loyalty. Thank you for making UK a proud football team. And, thank you for making this Tennessean happy as she brags about her football team. Enjoying my 7 month old granddaughter from FL – and three of my children being home.
Thank you seniors for all that you have done in establishing UK as a winning football program, something it hasn’t been consistently for a very long time. But not only that, but you guys did it with great character and teamwork along the way and faced alot of adversity and never let it get you all down. I feel privileged to get to cheer for a group of young men such as yourselves. Thanks again for the memories guys. May you all go on to have wonderful lives. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
To all the Seniors – I thank you for all the hard work that you put forth the last four years. You have truly represented the University, the fans and your family with the utmost respect and responsibility as a student athlete. I attended the last few
Women’s Football Clinics and, it was my pleasure to meet a lot of the seniors. You are fine gentlemen and I wish you the best in whatever future plans that you have. You have given me as a fan so much and I will be there on Saturday to cheer for you. Go Big Blue and let’s beat the Vols
As a fan, I am so proud of the hard work and character each of you have displayed. You deserve every cheer you will receive on Saturday and more. I hope that all your dreams come true. I’m sad that Jarmon won’t be there for what should have been his moment. All of you remember that what you’ve done here has mattered and that you have left your mark on this program. Cats are forever.
Thanks for beleiving in yourself and your coaches. Thanks for helping make UK football matter. Thanks for helping me create memories for my son and daughter. They were there for the Georgia game when the goal posts came down, the defeat of LSU and all the Louisville beat downs. Now go out there and give me something I have wanted for years. Beat the VOLS. Play smart thru all the ups and downs and give every play all you have! We will give you all we have at the Catwalk and the game. BELEIVE!
Words could never express the thankfulness we as Ky fans feel when we think about all of you seniors and the things you’ve accomplished.It could be argued that never in the history of Ky football have we enjoyed such a successful four year run.When it was time to choose the place where you would be playing your college football you listened to your heart. You chose UK when it was not the popular place to be.And now four years (or five) later you have been a big part in the process of totally changing the perception of UK football nationally.We as fans can hold our heads high because of the accomplishments you have acheived.I couldn’t begin to count all of the firsts that have happened over the past few years.We are gonna miss you guys lots but don’t worry we will never forget you or all of the awesome memories you’ve created for us.
Good luck in the life awaiting you!(and on Sat. night!!!)
I just want to send a big shout out to John Conner for showing all of the younger players that heart, work ethic, and determination can take you a long way. Also, being from Louisville…I have to say thanks to Corey, Alphonso, and Justin for making it easier to walk around town with our heads held high. I agree with everything you said Larry about Sam Maxwell, Christian Johnson, and Trevard…no way we could have turned this thing around without them. And for Micah. The way you have conducted yourself even with all of the expectations put on your shoulders…I have nothing but the utmost respect for you. To all the seniors, thanks for making these past four years the most memorable of my life as a UK fan. I’ll be there Saturday to help you all end your careers with a huge exclamation point!!!
Thanks to the entire class, and especially to two of my favorites, John Conner and Sam Maxwell. John plays fullback with a linebacker mentality and should get credit for half the rushing yards the ballcarriers total. Sam has become the perfect example of what hard work and desire can bring – results on the field, and notice by the people with the pro checkbooks. Thanks to all the seniors – no matter where you were born, you are Kentuckians now and forever.
I was interrupted earlier. Last note….We have 2 tix to this game and both my kids are fighting over who gets to watch this game. Right now we are all coming and will find a way to get everyone in. I hope you want to play this game as bad as they want to watch it.
Just got back from Nashville and read these great responses. Really touched me and could see how much this class has meant to you. Words may not adequately express appreciation, but these thoughts sure do help and I know the players will appreciate them. Going to make sure the guys see them.
It is a tribute to this group of seniors that they have been a part of building this program to the point that the next Senior class will have never been a part of a losing record. Let’s hope that this group will go out with a nine win season. Go Cats, Beat Tennessee.
I want to thank the seniors for keeping the faith in this football program and instilling a winning tradition. I want them all to know that I will always be a fan of theirs, especially to the ones that go on to the NFL. They have provided some memories that will last a lifetime for me.
Fonso has been great and even though he’s not the number one back I feel confident that he can step in and produce. He’s been huge on special teams through the years.
John Conner- What can you say about him? Absolute TERMINATOR!
Corey Peters- Workhorse, never takes a snap off, and can really take over a game from his DT position, like he did in the 2nd half against Georgia.
Micah- Made a statement by being a big time recruit and choosing the Big Blue. Even when he’s hobbled a little by injuries, you want him on the field because he’s such a beast.
Sam Maxwell- Most underrated defensive player of the Brooks era. This guy is a stud linebacker. Clutch, too.
Trevard- Speaking of clutch, how many big wins has this guy played a HUGE role in? Arkansas, UL, LSU, Clemson, and the list goes on.
Harrison and A Cobb- Two very solid guys who know their role on the team. Calvin has had a quiet but very good senior year and Cobb has made some big plays in his time here.
Seiber- All time leader in points at UK. Quite an accomplishment. Has been up and down, but count me as a guy hoping he redeems himself this weekend with a game winning FG.
The offensive line, Duncan, Johnson, Gonzalez and Jeffries, those guys don’t get the credit they deserve. They could play for anyone in SEC.
And a special thanks to everyone else, these guys don’t get much pub but we need them just as badly as a Micah or Zipp.
Bowland, Ball, Ross Bogue, Cecil, Cessna, TC, Faulkner, Fidler, Mo Grinter, Luck, Mabry, Nance, and my man from Hancock County (I’m from Daviess) Schwindell.