Remembering Jared Lorenzen Two Years Later

It’s been two years since the world lost one of its most beloved quarterbacks, Jared Lorenzen. There have been many tributes – beautiful tributes – to the man everyone at KSR. Tributes I encourage each and every one of you to read again.

However, like most of you, I never had the chance to meet Lorenzen, but July 3rd will always stick out to me. I remember exactly what I was doing when I head the news on the dreary day in 2019 and the immediate sadness that followed. I can’t tell you why.

Maybe it’s because I remember rocking that worn-out mesh No. 22 jersey as a kid. Maybe it’s because he was the first former Wildcat I had ever seen bring home a Super Bowl ring. Or maybe it was how much I related with him when Kentucky beat Florida in the Swamp to which he took to Instagram live for an emotional, glorious moonshine drinking celebration. Getting a good kick out of hearing him on the KSR Football Podcast, his irreplaceable insight on the KSR pregame football shows. Man, what an awesome guy he must have been.

My words will never do him any justice, instead, I hope you all read the words from some of the people that knew him best.

• Patrick Towles shares note from his mentor, Jared Lorenzen
• Hal Mumme shares a great story about Jared Lorenzen’s arm strength
• ‘The Helmet Catch’ would not have happened without Jared Lorenzen
• Whoever said ‘Don’t Meet Your Heroes’ is a Liar by Nick Roush
• A walk in Jared Lorenzen’s shoes by Tyler Thompson
• It’s Been One Year since We Lost Jared Lorenzen by Drew Franklin 

And some of the tributes that followed.

Hey Kentucky’s Tribute

E:60‘s tribute

Scott Van Pelt and Stanford Steve remember Jared

Our Jared Lorenzen Tribute Show at Fort Thomas Highlands

Highlands retires Jared’s jersey

UK’s tribute to Jared at the Arkansas game

A moment of silence just didn’t seem right, so the #BBN made 22 seconds of noise for Jared Lorenzen. #WeAreUK pic.twitter.com/6aiuakNDeO

— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) October 13, 2019

Jared watching Kentucky end the Florida streak in 2018

Ending seconds https://t.co/nROZpbwJoD

— jared lorenzen (@JaredLorenzen22) September 9, 2018

Wow https://t.co/iKbNupccYq

— jared lorenzen (@JaredLorenzen22) September 9, 2018

He really was one of us.