Josh Heupel on the importance of speaking at Otis Anderson Jr.'s funeral

Josh Heupel may no longer be the head coach of the UCF Knights, but that didn’t stop him from delivering a touching tribute to former UCF running back Otis Anderson Jr., who was shot and killed at his parents’ home in Jacksonville, Florida last week. He was 23 years old.

Heupel, now the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers, was Anderson’s head coach for three of his four years at UCF. He helped Anderson reach his best rushing total of his career as a junior, rushing for 726 yards in 13 games, and was there for the majority of Anderson’s four-year, 2,182-yard rushing career for the Knights. Heupel made the trip from Knoxville to Jacksonville to speak at Anderson’s funeral, pouring his heart out for his former player that “loved with his entire heart and gave you everything that he had.”

“Impact can never be measured in years,” Heupel said at the funeral, in part. “It’s measured in relationships and the legacy that you leave behind. When I think about Otis Anderson, I think about brotherhood and relationships.”

Former #UCF and current Tennessee coach Josh Heupel delivered a beautiful eulogy in honor of former Knights RB Otis Anderson Jr. this afternoon during Anderson's celebration of life on Tuesday in Jacksonville.

There are 2 videos in this thread and both are worth the watch: pic.twitter.com/AjTgKciXbh

— Jason Beede (@therealBeede) December 7, 2021

Here's the second half from Heupel. Really kind of him to fly into Jacksonville to honor the life of Otis Anderson Jr. and talk about him.

Heupel coached Anderson for 3 years at UCF, but this is way bigger than football. pic.twitter.com/xfMvVvrtr8

— Jason Beede (@therealBeede) December 7, 2021

Heupel on Friday said he took time out of Tennessee’s bowl game preparation and recruiting schedule because “it was important to celebrate a young man’s life.”

“I didn’t know I was going to speak really until almost I got to the church,” Heupel said of Anderson’s funeral. “You love all your guys and it’s a sudden and tragic loss of life. Family’s obviously going through the emotions that come with that, and there’s a lot of stages to that. Just wanted to show support to the family, but also to his fellow teammates and brothers. Having the opportunity to see some of those guys and share in the grieving process was important for me and my wife. It was a tough day.”

Anderson’s death was a shocking development. His father was charged in his death, according to an arrest report released by the Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office and obtained by ESPN, as his mother Denise told police that Anderson Sr. shot him in the chest. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Denise was also hospitalized with multiple graze wounds but was later discharged.

Anderson Sr. was charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.

“We have now confirmed and are devastated to hear of the passing of Otis Anderson Jr.,” UCF said in a statement. “He was revered by his teammates, our fans, and everyone within Knight Nation. Our deepest condolences go out to everyone who loved Otis. He was taken too soon and will truly be missed.”

“Saddened and stunned by the passing of Otis Anderson Jr. Tough and gritty, fun and full of laughter, he made such a positive impact on our university, community, and our locker room,” Heupel said in a statement posted to Twitter. “He was an unbelievable teammate. My condolences go out to the entire UCF family.”