The brave men and women of our armed services risk their lives to protect our freedom. Their passion and dedication to the United States cannot be overstated.
It’s also interesting to see that service men and women have passion and dedication outside their duty to the United States.
One such military man took his sports fandom to a new level that could inspire others to step their game up.
An Army infantryman got a tattoo of Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield.
From ESPN:
What would you do to honor your favorite player?
Kenneth Holzhammer has raised the bar for fans worldwide.
The 21-year-old U.S. Army infantry specialist created buzz over the weekend after he proudly displayed a new tattoo on his left calf of Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Well, baker “the god” mayfield has spoken. I’m getting a baker tattoo. With a mustache.. @baker_mayfield6 pic.twitter.com/ZY5wmG2a5y
— Mr.Brightside (@KCH0LZ) May 29, 2017
He really did it. ? pic.twitter.com/WgkJ0EcjY2
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 3, 2017
Holzhammer followed through Friday on a promise that he’d get the tattoo if Mayfield retweeted Holzhammer’s original proposal.
Mayfield did his part, even inviting Holzhammer via direct message to a game this fall.
Holzhammer said he’d try to make his way to Norman early in the season.
Despite growing up in Wister, Oklahoma, he said he’s attended just one OU game — the Sooners’ overtime win over Baylor in 2005.
Holzhammer said he plans to attend Western Michigan after completing his work on base this year in Fort Polk, Louisiana.
Nothing, it seems, can zap his adoration of Mayfield, born immediately after Mayfield took over as the Sooners’ QB in 2015. In two seasons, Mayfield has thrown for 7,965 yards and 76 touchdowns while finishing fourth and third, respectively, in the Heisman Trophy voting.
“Instant love for the guy,” Holzhammer said. “It’s just his energy and the way he carries himself. People don’t understand how much of an idol he is of mine. The way people love LeBron [James], that’s my feeling with Baker Mayfield.”
Hearing from Mayfield, Holzhammer said, “blew my mind.”
The reaction he’s received from others has not been so kind.
“It’s mainly just Texas fans,” Holzhammer said. “They are just all over me.”
Some people get tattoos that they later regret deeply. San Francisco 49ers draftee Reuben Foster originally committed to Auburn and got a tattoo to show his support…then signed with archrival Alabama on national signing day.
Former Miami Hurricanes quarterback Kirby Freeman got the “U” emblem tattooed on his back. After his Miami career didn’t pan out like he wanted, he transferred to Baylor, and modified the “U” into a misshapen “O” that had no meaning whatsoever.
However, in the particular case of Kenneth Holzhammer, it seems highly unlikely he will regret his decision. He’s truly dedicated.