By Erin Sorensen
A blue jersey, a missed opportunity by LSU, the friendship of a little boy named Jack.
Every season is filled with stories; some good, some bad. However, there are occasionally stories that resonate deeper than any other. These are the ones that define a team and a program, the stories that go above wins and losses.
For Nebraska, there were three stories that stood out in 2011. They involved trio of Huskers from three different backgrounds. Yet, all three provided reasons that make Husker Nation great.
- Kenny Bell and his Blue Jersey
Kenny Bell spent his first year at Nebraska on the scout team. It was there that Bell learned the true meaning of hard work. He is not shy to tell anyone that asks the lessons gained.
When Bell’s second year began, the scout team was behind him. Would he forget his roots or what taught him the value of hard work? That’s when it was noticed.
Worn under his game jersey, the edges of a royal blue jersey often snuck into sight. It created buzz. People wondered what the jersey could mean. Many assumed it was his high school jersey. That’s not a bad assumption either, considering Bell is a vocal fan of his hometown, Boulder, Colorado.
As it turns out, the garment was something much more than mesh.
The equipment staffed laughed. They refused to take care of the jersey for Bell. If he wanted to wear it, it would be his responsibility to pack it. Bell only forgot it once this season – Penn State. He hoped no one noticed.
That blue jersey became as much about Bell as anything else. It became iconic for fans that dressed up as the redshirt freshman for Halloween. Add an afro and two arm bands with “F.O.E.” (Family Over Everything) and “T.Hoog” (for Tyler Hoog, his cousin), and Bell became a favorite that kept fans curious.
- LSU’s Loss is Nebraska’s Biggest Gain
Fort Scott Community College is well-known by Husker fans. It has produced the likes of Brandon Kinnie, Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Jermacus “Yoshi” Hardrick and Lavonte David. Of all the players included on that list, David’s story is probably the most interesting. It is also a testament to friendship.
When Hardrick was being recruited out of the small Kansas community college, he had some heavy-hitting SEC schools knocking on his door. In fact, Hardrick originally committed to Louisiana State University before heading to Fort Scott. A southern boy himself, Hardrick couldn’t wait to get back.
There was only one thing stopping him: Lavonte David.
LSU didn’t want David. Neither did any of the other SEC schools Hardrick talked to. It was clear that Hardrick wanted to stick with his best friend, though. He wanted them to keep playing with the playmaking linebacker. Where Yoshi ended up as a result was in the air.
Enter Bo Pelini.
Nebraska offered Hardrick, but before the lineman would commit, he had a single request: Offer David too. The next day, the Cornhuskers did just that.
The rest is really history. Any fan would agree that LSU’s loss is one of Nebraska greatest gains.
- Team Jack and Superman
On April 22, 2011, Jack Hoffman, only five years old at the time, experienced a life-threatening seizure. That unexpected seizure would immediately begin a journey that put young Jack through two brain surgeries, countless MRIs, pathology reports, neuro-surgery appointments and much more.
While a daunting road, it was one that would create “Team Jack.” The support system that was and is Team Jack grew quickly. It was hard not to want to support a young boy who was so brave in the face of something so frightening.
It was that strength and courage that caused I-Back Rex Burkhead take notice. Jack’s first tour of Memorial Stadium resulted in the two meeting and becoming buddies. From there, Burkhead began to sport a Team Jack bracelet and his teammates followed suit.
To Jack, Burkhead may have been “Superman,” but Burkhead made it clear the feelings were mutual.
"No matter how tough it gets for us on the practice field or in a game, it's nothing compared to what he's going through with his illness and all the struggles that go with that illness. Jack's a great kid. He has a great family and a lot of friends behind him, and I'm really proud to be one of them. He's going through so much, but still manages to stay so positive. He motivates me."
In 2011, Jack didn’t just motivate Burkhead, but all of Husker Nation.
These are only a few of the stories that help build the foundation of Nebraska’s 2011 season. Behind every player and coach, every win or loss, are stories that made everything more than just another game.
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