Vince Marrow: The next five months are for the people of Kentucky

Just weeks before Kentucky‘s Citrus Bowl victory over Iowa on New Year’s Day 2022, the western portion of Kentucky was devastated by a violent, long-tracked tornado that completely leveled towns and uprooted thousands from their homes.

Since then, the Commonwealth of Kentucky has been through so much since the last time Kentucky football took to the gridiron. In late July, eastern Kentucky was hit with rains that were “historically unheard of,” causing massive flood and once again, forcing the citizens of Kentucky and Appalachia to migrate to safer land.

Kentucky Athletics have done all they can to help raise money for both disasters, donating millions of dollars over the past year for relief efforts – and Kentucky assistant coach Vince Marrow has been at the forefront of it all, and let the people of Kentucky know that this Saturday, and every Saturday, will be for them.

“Today and for the next 5 months we will play for the people of Kentucky. It’s our time! Let’s go,” Marrow wrote on Twitter Saturday morning.

When Kentucky kicks off its season against Miami (OH) Saturday night from Kroger Field in Lexington, thousands of fans in the area are sure to know someone affected by the two natural disasters. Hopefully, the game will serve as a safe space, a haven for those still hurting from the tragedies and will help to provide an escape from reality for those in need.

While it might just be a football game, Marrow knows UK’s roots run deep in the veins of millions of Kentuckians across the state. With no pro teams around, they’ve banded together with a common love of Kentucky Athletics and formed the Big Blue Nation. To bleed blue isn’t just a saying around Lexington. For some, UK football and basketball, is a way of life and just to see their beloved Wildcats on the gridiron and court is the medicine they need in an incredibly trying time.

The Wildcats and RedHawks kick off at 7 p.m. ET live on SEC Network+ and ESPN+ as head coach Mark Stoops looks to secure his 60th win at Kentucky, which would tie Bear Bryant’s record for all-time program wins.