DJK Heartbreak

I remember the exact moment that endeared DJK to me.

It was 2007, I was a junior in college, sitting in a bar in western Wisconsin, watching an Iowa team that had just lost to Iowa State play a higher ranked Wisconsin team (#9 I believe) at Camp Randall Stadium. Myself, my younger sister, and my cousin decided to leave the comforts of our suite and venture into the Stout Ale house, proudly displaying our black and gold (my sisters friend and cousins fiance also donned black and gold, but neither of them sported any true interest in Iowa or the game for that matter). We were sat at a back table, despite the fact that the majority of the group we were with were Badger fans. We respectfully minded our own business and watched the game (although friends of ours, Illini and Wolverine fans respectfully, weren't as hush about their desire for Iowa to destroy the Badgers) but everyone, including the wait staff, was extremely rude about our decision to cheer for Iowa. As the first half progressed, Iowa's offense looked absolutely useless, showing no signs of moving the ball with JC6 at the helm and mustering only 1 field goal. The defense played outstanding so we only trailed 7-3 when right at the end of the half, JC6 lobbed a ball to the front corner of the end zone and DJK swooped up and corralled it with one hand before landing in the end zone for the go ahead TD. It was such a beautiful looking play and I remember wondering who this guy with the long name was and why I hadn't heard of him before if he was capable of making such beautiful catches (this was before my days of being a regular BHGP reader and thus knowing everyone and everything that is Hawkeye football). We ended up losing the game 17-13 as a deep JC6 pass fell to the turf as a streaking Paul Chaney Jr. stumbled while the ball was in the air (which ended up alienating me toward Chaney for the longevity of his career) but I was still excited for the prospect of the remainder of the season and 3 more years with DJK.

Since then I've been his biggest fan. Appreciating the flair he brought to an Iowa program that I feel needs a little flash in the pan every once in awhile. Over the past 4 years my excitement level was at its highest when DJK had his hands on the ball (save Shonn Greene). I dismissed his seemingly endless feud with Kirk as a simple conflict of attitudes, nothing more. I never once questioned DJK's commitment to the team or the program. His unforgettable "championship" quote is something I loved, because its so frowned upon as a Hawkeye fan to want and expect something more for this team and this program. I was excited that he was able to break those records and felt he had earned it for putting up with media blocks and benchings that wouldn't happen in other programs. I was glad to be in the stands on senior day and when DJK's named was called I let forth a larger cheer for him than for any of the other seniors. In a year where, for the first time I can remember, it seemed that some of the players didn't care and were giving up, DJK looked like the only one who consistently came to play and actually gave a damn.  I felt bad for him that his senior season would turn out to be such a disappointment in terms of team success, knowing that his individual achievements meant nothing to him in light of the teams shortcomings.

When the news of DJK's arrest and admission were confirmed today, I took it harder than I usually do. Sure I was annoyed and angered that someone with such a gift and such opportunity was willing to risk it all by doing something so stupid and reckless, but I was also genuinely sad. Not because he can't play in the bowl game, or because he's in trouble with the law and not just the program, not even because his Hawkeye playing days are done. Mainly because this will be his last act as a Hawkeye football player. Amongst all the great moments that I will remember - the Wisconsin one-handed catch, the clutch catches down the sidelines against Penn State, the over the shoulder deep catch against Michigan, the Ohio State kick return, and many others - I'll be forced to now include the fact that his final act was being arrested and kicked off the team before his very last game. Or maybe it's because I so badly want to feel that DJK deserves better, when he clearly doesn't. Such a sad ending to such an incredible career.