Micah and Will

Today I want to pay tribute to two players who've had very different careers.

Micah Johnson will play his final game in Commonwealth tonight. Coming is as one of the most highly regarded linebackers in his high school class, Johnson was the gem of the 2005 recruiting class. His career got off to a slower start than most expected, but he was a part-time starter as a sophomore and rounded into All-SEC form last year as a junior. With the emergence of Sam Maxwell and the presence of some great talent at LB across the SEC, we haven't heard as much about Micah this year. Truthfully, I think he has been playing hurt since injuring his knee against EKU. Still, he is the team's leading tackler, and will go down as one of UK's all-time greats linebackers.

But Johnson's importance to this team cannot be measured in tackles. He is "the guy". Micah is vocal, talented, intense, and looks like a Greek god. When you see him in the tunnel or getting off the bus, it is a reminder that this isn't old Kentucky. He has been an absolute warrior on the field, playing hurt, getting to the ballcarrier in open space, fighting to the whistle. Micah is a foxhole guy. If you are choosing up teams in the street, he is the first pick. If I'm on the field for the Cats in a dogfight, I'd take a lot of comfort looking at Micah and thinking, "That dude has my back". You get the point. Good players have come and gone, but he is one guy who I think really ushered in the new Kentucky era.

My son will wear his #4 jersey for one of the last times today, right before Santa brings him an 18 to wear next year. I am going to miss Micah Johnson.

This week Will Fidler announced that he would be foregoing his final year of eligibility and would participate in Senior Day activities tonight. Hearing that made me feel both strange and sad, though I totally support his decision. With the coaching staff having decided to go with Newton for the remainder of the year, and Hartline returning in the spring, Will was no longer going to compete for playing time. In addition, non-starting seniors all across college football regularly give up their scholarships (at some schools it is more voluntary than others). If that is what he's doing, then it continues a pattern of unselfish behavior that Will should be remembered for. It bears mention that Will will walk in May with a degree.

Not a month ago, I really felt that Fidler should be given the reins at home against Mississippi State. He had outplayed Newton to that point. Lets not forget, he was prehaps a dropped TD pass from leading us to a win against USC after Hartline's injury. The following week, he came off the bench and sparked the team to a TD drive that fueled the comeback.

Decisions were made, probably more about the long run than the team's immediate prospects. In retrospect, going with Newton was the right call. Still, Fidler had every right to believe that he'd get the nod, both in the Auburn game and beyond. As things went, he did not get that call, and has decided to close the book on his UK career. Sports are fickle sometimes. Through it all, Fidler has handled himself with dignity and class, never complaining in the media, always positive and helpful with Newton, and showing up and practicing hard. According to reports, Will is one of the more popular guys in the locker room. It is easy to see why.

My own athletic career taught me that while we cannot all be stars, we can all be part of a winning team. For every Micah Johnson, you need a Will Fidler, someone who accepts his role and contributes in whatever way he can.

I wish Will the best of luck, whether it is as a 1-AA starter somewhere or out in the real world.