Husker Fans Show Their Love for Rex Appeal

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By Randy York

Ron Brown gave another stirring speech about the importance of walk-ons to Nebraska's football program, and Doc Sadler did his level best to encourage Husker fans to keep their faith in what he still believes will be a special basketball team this season. But the show-stealer Thursday for the December Huskers Athletic Fund (HAF) Luncheon was an All-Big Ten running back who wears No. 22 on his jersey and keeps his teammates, coaches and fans No. 1 in his heart. Yes, Rex Burkhead was at the Downtown Embassy Suites Hotel to introduce Brown, but before he could utter a word, more than 250 fans stood up and applauded, cheered, even let out a few whoops and hollers. Rex Appeal was in the air, and all Nebraska's junior running back could do was smile humbly and wait patiently through his rousing reception so he could do what he was asked - introduce Coach Brown, a man that "just turned 30 years old on Monday," Burkhead quipped before adding that Brown "was still growing" and still looks like he could play football.

Burkhead, of course, carried Nebraska to victory last Friday on Senior Day, getting a career-high and school record 38 totes for 160 yards to increase his season rushing total to 1,268 yards. More importantly, after backing up Roy Helu Jr.for two seasons, Burkhead has created a big shadow of his own, both on and off the field. A charter member of Team Jack, a story that has been well documented, Burkhead credits much of his own growth to what he's learned playing for Brown. "I knew he was a guy with mental toughness," Burkhead said of Brown, "and the minute he stepped in the door, he told us he was not only going to teach us about techniques, but help us become a better person as well as a better football player. I've learned from him. I've grown tremendously, on and off the field." The growth is so exemplary and so motivational among players, coaches and fans that even though Burkhead is a man of few words, he stands for all the right things, has equal appreciation for the opportunity to be both a student and an athlete and shows the kind of humility that makes Rex Appeal universally popular.

"I always enjoy hearing Coach Brown and Doc, but getting to see and hear Rex helps you understand why he's such a role model and such a great leader," said Virgil Horne, the longtime Lincoln Public Schools athletic director and multiple Husker season ticketholder. Thursday, Burkhead said the Huskers "would have liked to have been Big Ten champs, but overall I thought we grew as a team" while achieving the next best thing - sending a good senior class out with a win over Iowa. "To see him stand up there and talk about his coach, his teammates and how much those seniors mean to him," Horne said, "you just appreciate his stature all that much more. It goes well beyond the great things he gets done on the field." Burkhead has a legitimate chance to become an Academic All-American and could even earn some All-America honors yet this year. Whatever honors might come his way as a junior will exponentially enhance what might happen in 2012, especially if Burkhead can heal and play at full strength in Nebraska's bowl game. Luncheon emcee Greg Sharpe Thursday called Bo Pelini's first four seasons consistent, pointing out the Huskers are one of just six BCS teams that have won at least nine games over the past four seasons. "It's an elite list and does not include Ohio State, Michigan, Texas or Oklahoma," Sharpe said.

Nebraska's play-by-play announcer/emcee pointed out how Nebraska's three most interior offensive line starters in the Iowa game - center Mike Caputoand guardsSeung Hoon Choi andSpencer Long are walk-ons, just like four former Husker walk-ons who attended and were honored at Thursday's luncheon - Zeke Cisco (safety from Monroe, Mich., 1991-92-93), Jeff Jamrog (defensive end from Omaha, 1985-86-87); Joel Makovicka (fullback from Brainard, Neb., 1995-96-97-98); and Steve Manstedt (defensive end from Wahoo, Neb., 1971-72-73). Brown's take on Husker walk-ons will be featured in Friday's N-Sider Blog while Nebraska's running backs coach spends the day in Omaha, evaluating prep standouts that he believes have the potential to walk on and play at Nebraska. Husker fans were empathetic listening to Sadler, who joked about having to follow Brown's spirited 10-minute message. Doc did get one of lunch hour's biggest laughs when he explained why he looked so tired. "Coach Osborne called this morning and told me the sun did come up," Sadler related. "I told him: 'I wouldn't know. I haven't been out of the Hendricks Center yet." Sadly, Doc was not kidding. True to his spirit, Doc took all the blame from Wednesday night's loss to Wake Forest, but told fans the Huskers still have "an exciting team for you to follow" and he's counting on Nebraska being very competitive in its first year in the Big Ten Conference. The next HAF luncheon, sponsored by Taste Traditions of Omaha, will be held Thursday, Jan. 5and feature Nebraska Women's Head Basketball Coach Connie Yori.

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