Brown: Sam Foltz Will Be Watching Huskers from Above

Kicker & Holder: Journey After Tragedy

Drew Brown Wants to Kick It Up a Notch

Randy York’s N-Sider

Official Blog of the Huskers

For Nebraska placekicker Drew Brown, Saturday night will be the most important football game of his life, simply because the season-opener’s most formidable force will have the biggest impact on Nebraska’s players, coaches, fans and a national television audience.

“It’s going to be strange going to my first game without Sam Foltz,” Brown said. “I’ve roomed with him every single game for two years, including bowl games. I sat next to him riding to every home game and every away game. We were very close.”

That’s why Saturday’s tribute to Foltz will be so special. “It’s going to be a nice way to begin the season because we’ll see Sam’s memorial on the field,” Brown said. “It’ll be good but it’ll be weird without Sam being out there with us for the first game.”

Brown knows he can’t let any pregame ceremony distract him from doing his job. Perhaps that’s why he wore a warm smile after practice remembering his constant sidekick, joyous roommate and loyal teammate. An All-Big Ten punter with obvious NFL talent, Foltz was killed in a car wreck in Wisconsin late last July.

Sam Foltz Will Be in Drew Brown’s Heart, Plus Teammates, Coaches and Fans

“Sam is definitely going to be watching the game from above,” Brown said. “He’ll be in my heart, my teammates’ hearts, our coaches’ hearts and our fans’ hearts. His spirit definitely will be inside Memorial Stadium Saturday, that’s for sure."

Sam (No. 27 with Drew) was a huge part of Brown's daily life at Nebraska, whether it was related to football or not. “He was my best friend," Brown said. "I knew I'd still be playing one more year after he left, but not two. It’s been tough, but I know he wouldn’t want me moping around.”

Fortunately, “I talk to Sam’s parents almost every day,” Brown said. “His dad has come to some practices and he texts me about every two days or so, just to make sure that everything’s all right. I feel like I should be checking on him instead of the other way around. Sam was a lot like his dad. He was always humble and always caring about those around him.”

Brown’s family, including longtime NFL placekicker Kris Brown, has been equally supportive of little brother Drew. “My entire family has been so helpful,” Drew said. “It’s nice that Kris lives in Omaha, so I can go there or he can come here whenever I need anything.”

Foltz “was always a joy to be around, and I wear my No. 27 necklace every day in memory of him,” Brown said. “I want to be like Sam every day. He’s definitely somebody that a lot of people should model their life around, so they treat everyone the way you should be treated.”

Life Skills Administrator: Foltz Memorial Scholarship a Very High Honor

“Sam was committed to his school work,” Zimmer said. “He graduated early and became one of the best punters in the country at the same time he was living as a lifetime servant. Honoring an individual who exudes the qualities Sam showed every day was the right thing to do. It will become one of the highest honors our Athletic Department will present on an annual basis.”

The primary preferences to receive the annual scholarship require certain academic, life skills and leadership standards that include a minimum 2.50 grade-point average, earning a spot on the Brook Berringer Citizenship Team and reflecting the qualities that Foltz demonstrated.

The secondary preferences to receive the scholarship are having graduated from a Nebraska high school and being a recipient of the Sam Foltz 27 Leadership Award, which will become the new name for the annual Life Skills HERO Leadership Award.

Zimmer collaborated with fellow Nebraska administrators Dennis Leblanc (Academic Services) and Dan Van De Riet (Football) to recommend the first recipient of the Sam Foltz Memorial Scholarship to Husker Head Football Coach Mike Riley.

Mike Riley: Sam’s Enthusiasm Reflects the Pride in His Craft

“If I could be as happy doing my job and as enthusiastic as Sam was, and you guys saw it…he loved it. He was proud of his craft,” Riley said. “Sam worked at it like a pro, and he did it with a lot of joy, whether he was in the weight room or running and conditioning. He’s been around here long enough to impact virtually every guy. This guy was every guy’s 'guy.'”

Nebraska Director of Athletics Shawn Eichorst smiles when he thinks about a twitter hashtag that Foltz used before his tragic accident – #puntersarepeopletoo. “Sam was truly a tremendous young man, who represented everything that a Nebraska student, athlete, teammate and friend should strive to be,” Eichorst said. “While his loss is devastating, his impact will be felt forever."

Foltz “lived his life the right way,” Zimmer said. “He made every day count and was just the ultimate teammate. He was pure Nebraska. In the three highest priorities that we talk about, he lived them to the fullest – as a student, an athlete and a citizen who reaches out to help others.”

Sam’s strength of character and faith were shaped on the farm that he lived on near Greeley, Neb., 50 miles north of Grand Island. One of Nebraska’s favorite portraits of Foltz’s fame was a quote that kept emerging following his death. “I grew up a small-town kid and I’ll die a small-town kid,” he once said.

Foltz Legacy Goes Beyond Football; NU Remembers One of Its Best

Make no mistake. Foltz, the 2015 Big Ten Punter of the Year, did everything possible to enhance his chances to spend a lengthy career as an NFL punter before returning to his roots and using his college degree to work on the family farm.

On the day Foltz graduated last May, he sat with his mom Jill and his dad Gerald at a table on Memorial Stadium’s third floor. They all agreed that was the plan, which was shared equally with Sam’s brother Jordan and his sisters Caroline and Betsy.

“Sam was always interactive and always inspiring others,” Zimmer said. “His legacy isn’t just football-related. We’re honoring him because he had friends and admirers on other teams, too. His legacy is so powerful. His parents should be very proud of the gentleman they raised.

"What a privilege and honor it was for all of us who had the chance to work with Sam,” Zimmer said. “People are proud of who Sam Foltz was and the person he became. Our fans are proud to know he was one of ours. It will be emotional and for many, it will be sad. But the presentation will end on a high. People will be very, very proud that we will forever be remembering and honoring Sam Foltz.”

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