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The Kentucky football program unveiled a wonderful first step of how they plan to honor the legacy of former player and coach John Schlarman.
Mark Stoops, several offensive linemen still with the team from Schlarman’s tenure, and Schlarman’s family met at Kroger Field this morning to unveil the banner that will hang outside of Gate 12 this season.
A first step in honoring the legacy of Coach Schlarman, now in the Gate 12 Plaza.
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) August 24, 2021
We are fortunate to have his family here today to unveil this! #ForTheTeam x #BigBlueWall! pic.twitter.com/vLH0pRjd2N
Additionally, BBN Tonight got some video of the unveiling, as well as thoughts from Schlarman’s family.
EXCLUSIVE: Sights and sounds from the John Schlarman tribute that was unveiled today
— BBN Tonight (@BBNTonight) August 25, 2021
Mark Stoops and the Schlarman family moments after the big, emotional reveal ⬇ pic.twitter.com/qMfmeWW5PT
As we approach a year from the date of the loss of Coach Schlarman, it’s no secret that his presence is still felt inside the football facilities to this day.
The motto adopted for the season, “For the Team,” is actually one that he use to say through his fight with cancer. Josh Pascal had this to say earlier this summer regarding this teams motto:
“I know Coach Schlarman, he had the motto ‘for the team.’ Coach Schlarman was always — that’s what he stood on. He was going through the most difficult time of his life, but at the same time, he did it all for the team. He showed up to every practice. No matter what he was going through health-wise, he always put the team first. And that’s something we always want to keep next to us and keep on our mind.”
As that motto plays out on the field, the banner of Schlarman will hang for fans to see and help celebrate the legacy that he brought not only as a player, but the mentality that he continues to instill in the players today.