Freddie Maggard's self-scouting report: "I am a Homer"

The Super Bowl and come and gone. The Rams beat the Bengals. The end of the game signified the absence of football for six-plus months. There’s no time for pouting about the long and dreary drought without America’s game in play. The offseason is the time for reflection and self-scouting. I took a few days to take a look back at how I performed in my job as a KSR football analyst over the past three seasons. By doing so, I made a grave discovery: I was a Homer. 

Before we get to the results of self-reflection, I am mandated to go back in history to best describe my affliction. I was born into a UK family. From the time I can remember, I was keeping score with my dad during Cawood Ledford’s radio calls around the dinner table. Big Fred would pay me a dollar if I could name all 22 starters. Easy money. My inner circle was the founding members of the Cat Walk. We gathered near the bus drop-off at Commonwealth Stadium where I obtained autographs from Derrick Ramsey, Fran Curci, Art Still, Jerry Blanton, and more. I was a huge Ramsey fan and often painted the number 12 on t-shirts and declared myself as the UK quarterback while playing pick-up football in the backyards of various coal camps. 

My family had season football tickets for as long as I can remember. Our ritual consisted of an early departure from the mountains and a trek to Lexington which almost always included a stop at Kentucky Fried Chicken before the game and a Jerry’s Big Boy plate after. My love for the Cats carried on into my early school days. When recruiting letters flooded Cumberland High, I was only concerned with the ones signed by Jerry Claiborne. There were no recruiting sites or social media in the ’80s. The way to show the world which school was showing interest was to neatly fold the envelope of the recruiting letter and place it in the back pocket of blue jeans. Strutting through the hallways with a UK logo on full display was exhilarating. When Kentucky’s head coach asked me to commit, I did. 

I was blessed to be a part of one average, one good, and two bad teams as a Wildcat player. Coach Claiborne retired after my sophomore year. I felt lost, mad, and confused about my future and affiliation. After sticking it out for the last two years, I became an alumnus. I really didn’t follow the Wildcats too closely for some years as I tried to figure life out. Heck, I’m still trying to figure out life. But, I always came home. 

I’ve checked most of the blocks in my association with Kentucky Football. I’ve been a fan, player, staff member, alumnus, season ticket holder, and covered the Wildcats as a part of the media. My history and connection to the program is difficult to explain. There’s excitement during the good times and sadness during the bad. Maybe I’m too close. Who knows. 

Quite some time ago, Matt Jones called me while I was boarding a cruise ship to the Bahamas. He asked if I’d be interested in writing about UK Football. At the time I was working for the Kentucky National Guard and a part of the UK Network’s pregame show. I jumped on the opportunity and the rest is history. I owe Matt everything and the incredible KSR team. Our editor, Tyler Thompson, is wonderful and patient. 

At first, I was overly eager and my work was one-sided, repetitive, and extraordinarily clichéd. Some would argue that I remain that way, especially the latter. I found my groove, or so I thought, and have enjoyed covering the Cats for several seasons now. 

2019 Season

Back to the self-scouting. The past three years have been both difficult and rewarding. The Lynn Bowden season (2019) was unique and elating. The receiver-turned-quarterback wowed fans and overwhelmed opponents. Justifiably and accurately, I was often asked why I wasn’t hard on offensive coordinator Eddie Gran especially towards the end of his tenure. I point to 2019 when the play-caller morphed his offense into a scheme that mimicked the military academies and managed run-game success when everyone in the stadium knew the run coming. The Cats finished 8-5 and beat Virginia Tech in the Belk Bowl. 

2020 Season

The 2020 season was incredibly difficult for Kentucky. Terry Wilson returned to the starting lineup and COVID-19 limited the schedule to an all-SEC slate. But, the toughest factor wasn’t about Xs and Os or run/pass ratios. The beloved John Schlarman passed away during the season. I don’t think folks truly realize how hard that was on the players and coaching staff. John was and remains an inspiration. Hearts were broken inside the Joe Craft Football Training Center. Kentucky finished with a 5-6 record and yet another bowl win over North Carolina State in the Gator Bowl.

Looking back, my work in that season was overly blue-shaded. I just couldn’t excessively critique the team knowing how difficult the circumstances were that clouded the outcome. That’s on me. You see, there’s a fine line between favored coverage and retaining credibility. I walked that razor from the opener to the bowl game in 2020. 

Another fair criticism is my chronicle of quarterback Terry Wilson. I was an unwavering supporter. The often-criticized quarterback played hurt and within the program’s grand scheme that included running the football, solid special teams, and opportunistic defense. He departed Lexington with the second most wins of a starting QB in program history (17). He was also the first Wildcat player to register 3,000 passing and 1,000 rushing yards. Wilson’s 17-8 record should be applauded. Terry Touchdown did a whole heck of a lot of good during his career. Was he perfect? No. But none are. I remain in the camp of reflecting on Wilson’s career in a positive light. My take on Terry went back to my playing days under center. I understand how hard it is to win games in the Southeastern Conference. 

2021 Season

In terms of program history and recent context, 2021 was fun. Mark Stoops made the difficult decision to replace his friend and offensive coordinator Eddie Gran. Enter Liam Coen. The Rams’ assistant coach modernized the Cats’ attack and produced balance. Wan’Dale Robinson and Will Levis transferred in and brought a great deal of entertainment back to Kroger Field. Brad White’s defense was solid despite being dangerously short on cornerbacks and dealing with a plethora of impactful injuries. Vince Marrow continued to load up the roster in one of the most amazing personnel turnarounds in college football. In the end, Mark Stoops completed his second ten-win season in four years. Ten wins. There’s not been too many of those in Lexington. 

So, as you can see, I have a distinctive perspective as I try to cover the Kentucky Football program. Like many members of the Big Blue Nation, I go back to the ’70s and have seen a great deal of losses in Lexington and on the road. Heck, I had my hand in numerous defeats which I can assure you hurt like heck every time.

The past three seasons have produced meaningful memories, some good, some bad, some heartbreaking. So, I agree. My second run with KSR has produced a Homer slant. The BBN is in the “good” times of Kentucky Football. But, the “Old Kentucky Football” also tears at my inner soul. Being a part of those years, at first, I took offense to those words. Heck, it was downright personal. Not for me, but for my teammates. I’ve since moved past it and understand the context. I still have a hard time saying and typing those words, by the way. 

It’s my job to call it as I see it. The way I see it may be different than some and that’s okay. My view is based on a lifetime of experiences. Mark Stoops has more than earned my trust. Program adjustments have been addressed at the highest level. I will continue to observe and provide my opinions. There’s always room for improvement. I see it, you see it, we all see it. One thing that I’ve noticed and have taken a great deal of pleasure in seeing is that the BBN, the fans, are being rewarded for years of loyal support. Seeing happy fans has always been the highlight of my football existence. 

What Does All This Mean?

A 23-14 record over the past three seasons is far from perfect. But, season-specific circumstances had to be taken into consideration when recounting the program’s narrative. A historical perspective also needs to be remembered. Not too long ago the Cats were pounded at home by Vanderbilt in front of a couple of thousand fans. Stoops brought on an upward trajectory that many said could never be done. We are in the good years. He will soon become the program’s all-time leader in wins. It’s time to stop naming stuff around Kroger Field in preparation for the future. 

So, the question remains: am I a Homer? Yes, I have been over the past three seasons. Being a part of the program allowed me the honor of getting to know the players and coaches. I saw firsthand how hard they work, how much they care, and what constructs the game’s participants outside the chalk lines. As the years pass, I know fewer inside the program but my respect for recent accomplishments remains. 

Self-scouting is tough. Football state.