LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- In February, some Kentucky fans questioned Reed Sheppard's loyalty over a T-shirt. He wore Arkansas gear with his Kentucky shorts before the Wildcats played the Razorbacks at Rupp Arena, and social media had its say.
Some mused that he was no longer a "Kentucky guy." But T-shirts fade. Loyalty reveals itself in moments that matter.
Over the weekend, Sheppard was photographed back home in London, Kentucky, helping clean up debris in the aftermath of a devastating tornado. He wasn't alone. Kentucky coach Mark Pope was there, too — not for a photo op, not just to lift spirits, but to lift actual debris. Couches. Roofing. Planks.
Local resident Shane Bundy snapped a photo of Pope on a roof, clearing away tree limbs. Another local, Joshua Maxey, described Sheppard's presence in a Facebook post:
"Reed knew the devastation his hometown received and wanted to do something to help. He called me up to ask what he could do. I said, 'Just show up, man. I'll pick you up in 20 minutes. If only for a minute, it'll lift some people's spirits.'
That wasn't enough for him. He had to do more.
We've worked like dogs for the best part of the day, and he picked up belongings, toys, roofs, 2x4's — everything you can imagine — and saw the hurt our people were going through. Yet all he did was what he always does. He was just Reed.
Never forgetting where he came from, but being a shoulder to cry on for complete strangers and comforting them with words."
Maxey said Sheppard didn't want any photos shared. But a few were, and I'm glad they were.
Kentucky coach Mark Pope helps clear debris from a roof during storm clean-up in Laurel County.
Matt Jones and his Kentucky Sports Radio team will originate their show from London on Monday morning. Many of them have roots in the region.
The cleanup is ongoing. At least 19 Kentuckians have died as a result of the storms. Donations can be made to Gov. Andy Beshear's Team Kentucky fund to help those affected.
UK basketball has long raised millions for disaster relief — a meaningful part of John Calipari's legacy. But there's also something to be said for just showing up. Pope and Sheppard did that. And in doing so, gave people in their darkest hour something to remember — and gave the rest of us something to follow.
Quick Sips
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- Nike couldn't resist a nod to Scottie Scheffler's arrest at last year's PGA Championship when Scheffler won this year's PGA in Charlotte. To a photo of Scheffler mid-swing, it added the line: "Best player in the world? Guilty." [My full column on Scheffler's win is here].
- Horse racing is still buzzing about the ride Umberto Rispoli gave Journalism to win Saturday's Preakness. It was a daring move entering the stretch. Win without incident, and it's bold. If something goes wrong, it's reckless. Either way, it sets up a potential showdown with Sovereign in the Belmont — if both go. Rick Bozich and I will talk more about itin today's Overtime webcast on WDRB+
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The Last Drop
I'm a sucker for stories about people who set out to be the best — and get there.
As a junior golfer, Scottie Scheffler wore long pants when everyone else wore shorts. Why? Because that's what they wear on the PGA Tour.
It reminds me of something Scott Davenport says all the time:Â "Caring is a talent."
You can see how much Scheffler cares.
"You work your whole life to have a chance to win tournaments," Scheffler said Sunday. "Sometimes I wish I didn't care as much as I did. It would be a lot easier if I could show up and be like, 'Eh, win or lose, I'm still going to go home and do whatever.' But at the end of the day, this means a lot to me."
It shows.
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