Kansas football: Jayhawks rally in the face of Florida tragedy
By Stan Unruh
The nation is mourning the tragedy at a Florida High School. Members of the Kansas football team are especially affected by the shooting in Broward County.
When Jayhawks hurt, we all hurt, and Kansas running back Khalil Herbert is hurting right now.
Herbert has a very personal connection to the tragic events which took place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, just nine short minutes from where Herbert hails in Coral Springs.
Over the past few years, school violence has touched many in America. Whether or not you are personally affected, we all hurt for the teachers, students, families and communities involved. The pain is unbelievable. It is unimaginable for those closest to the events.
On social media Wednesday Herbert asked followers to pray for his hometown and his old high school, and that is the least we can do. Imagine the challenge of attending college hundreds of miles away while your hometown is hurting.
Please pray for my hometown and my old highschool! Prayers out to the victims, families and those affected/connected to this. It doesn’t make any sense how this could happen I’m at an utter loss for words. Prayers to my old coach, Coach Feis 🙏🏾#PrayForDouglas #DouglasStrong pic.twitter.com/V65lPP0Zdu
— Khalil Herbert (@JuiceHerbert) February 15, 2018
That same evening, Jayhawks head coach David Beaty used twitter to say he was praying for those involved.
Our thoughts go out to all of those impacted by the tragedy at Douglas High School in Florida. We are praying for peace for you and your families.
— David Beaty (@beaty_david) February 15, 2018
For those who may not follow Kansas football closely, Herbert distinguished himself in the team’s Big 12 opener last season. The 5-foot-9 sophomore ran for 291 yards and a pair of touchdown against West Virginia. That September Saturday seems forever ago with the weight of the tragedy in his home town.
Five other Jayhawks call Florida home
Herbert, also a member of the Academic All-Big 12 rookie team in 2017 is not the only Jayhawk on the football team from Florida.
Quarterback Peyton Bender is from Fort Lauderdale, just a 30-minute drive from the scene of Wednesday’s high school shooting. Junior cornerback Shakial Taylor is from Tampa. Junior linebacker J.J. Holmes is from the Florida panhandle community of Chipley. Sophomore Hasan Defense is a native of Jacksonville and sophomore quarterback Carter Stanley came to KU from Vero Beach, Florida.
Next: KU football ahead of schedule for 2018
This latest tragedy in Florida is difficult to process. Just as they did following the flooding last fall, coach Beaty, his coaching staff and the Jayhawk family will come together to offer prayer, comfort and support. These young student athletes are a long way from home. Keep them and in your thoughts and prayers too.