By Erin Sorensen
Within seconds of meeting Brandon Kinnie, it’s easy to understand why he's a fan favorite. A self-proclaimed talker (“I like to talk”), he’s enjoyed the opportunity to interact with fans on the level that he has. To Kinnie, his actions are fueled by a very simple concept – it’s all about respect.
When the 6’3” 225-pound senior out of Kansas City, Missouri first joined Twitter toward the end of last February. His roommates all had accounts, but he wasn’t sure what to make of the new social media platform. Curious, Kinnie discovered the near-immediate impact that he made while using it.
Fans began talking to him and Kinnie responded. “When fans would tweet me, I would tweet them back. I just have no problem doing that. I guess the more and more I kept doing that, the more people kept following the things I would say.”
After only six months, his followers number near 4,000, all of whom get a response. To Kinnie, respect is a major part of life. Even on Twitter, he wants to make sure that Husker fans know that he’s listening and cares about them and what they have to say.
“That’s the least I can do. They’re out here showing support every Saturday. Some people have been season ticket holders for I don’t know how long. I’m just joining the tradition. I’m glad to be here. The least I can do is reply on Twitter. I see it, so you know, why not?” said Kinnie.
As for the season itself, Kinnie's both excited and anxious. He’s quick to say that he’s most eager about getting back out on the field with his teammates again. He’s confident that a tight bond has formed and that the Huskers are ready to take on the new challenges that await in the Big Ten conference.
Kinnie also believes that Nebraska’s success will depend heavily on leadership. As a senior, he’s taking that role seriously. “When you’re leading a group, a team or a wide receiver corps, it’s just about respect and the little things,” Kinnie said.
He’s also working to extend his leadership skills towards younger players. When talking about incoming freshmen, Kinnie had nothing but positive things to say. “There are humble guys and funny guys. I like to be around them. They listen too. That’s a big thing.”
Nebraska fans have plenty to look forward to this season with Kinnie. Win or lose, fans can count on him to represent the program in a very positive fashion on a national stage. Outspoken and admittedly “goofy all the time,” he keeps a level head when representing his school. “I’m grateful to be in the game and to be here playing at this level,” he said.
To Brandon Kinnie, every day is Fan Day. “Don’t be a stranger,” he tells Husker Nation. With an attitude like that, who would want to be?
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