Mark Stoops says tributes to John Schlarman are in the works

After John Schlarman’s passing in November, the Kentucky Football team found many ways to honor the man who built the Big Blue Wall; according to Mark Stoops, those tributes will continue this season.

“We want to honor him the best way we can for a long time,” Stoops said on Kentucky Sports Radio this morning. “I don’t think I can reveal exactly what that will be today. Our administration is still working on that.”

Schlarman died on November 12, 2020 following a two-year battle with cancer. Two days later vs. Vanderbilt, Kentucky took an intentional delay of game penalty on the first play of the game, leaving Schlarman’s former position of left guard open. Once Vandy declined the penalty, Landon Young came into the game sporting the No. 65 jersey, Schlarman’s number during his playing days at Kentucky. The tradition stuck, with various members of the offensive line donning the number the rest of the season.

“I know within the team, us, we’re going to continue to honor him at this point until somebody tells me we can’t,” Stoops said. “Continue to rotate his jersey and wear his number for him and there are some things that we’re trying to do in and around the stadium to honor John.”

It’s been suggested many times, but renaming the barrier separating the field from the stands after him and the Big Blue Wall would be a fitting tribute.