Kendall Sanders: Humility, Honesty, Hunger

Kendall
Kendall Sanders concentrates on the ball during practice in Austin.

You are a freshman at the University of Texas, and you just played a part in the Longhorns’ thrilling 31-27 come-from-behind win over Oregon State in the Valero Alamo Bowl. What do you do now?

If you’re Kendall Sanders, you come home to Athens.

The 6-foot, 183-pound former Hornet visited with Henderson County Now this week to talk about what it’s like to play football in Austin — and to no one’s surprise, it’s amazing.

“Just being there, the atmosphere will open your eyes,” he said. “Practice is like Friday nights here.”

“I (stand in awe) a lot,” Sanders said. “When I first got there, I’d do that in practice. Then I got used to it, and we started bowl practices and it hit me again. It’s my first bowl game and I’m at Texas.”

He also learned quickly that he was playing on a different level, talent wise.

“At the All-American game, that’s when I got perspective (on talent),” he said. “Because all those people were All-Americans, all those people were great. I thought, that’s where I’m going to, Texas, where everyone is great, so I just kind of prepared myself there so I wouldn’t be (overwhelmed) when I got to Texas.”

He might have known he was on a different level, but grabbing two interceptions in that U.S. Army All-American Bowl last year also proved he belonged on that level.

He proved it again when he got to Austin and earned a spot on special teams as a true freshman. He also earned time at wide receiver. His first catch came against Wyoming in the season opener and yes, he heard the crowd.

“When I caught that ball, I felt like I had never played football before in my life,” he said with a laugh. “When I caught the ball, I didn’t know what to do. I heard the crowd (roar) and I stopped, and then I went on with the play.”

Like any season, Sanders’ freshman year had ups and downs. Even though he was playing, it was much less than in the past.

“But at the same time, it was a learning experience because I never played just that position,” he said, “so i was learning from the guys in front of me.”

Sanders said that positive spirit comes from God and his family.

My family instilled the three “H’s” in my life: Be Humble, Honest and Hungry,” he said. “So I just try and live by that.”

That ethic also helped Sanders nail down a solid “B” average in the classroom.

And believes he’s at Texas for a reason.

“I believe God led me to Texas. He sets my whole life, and so I’m just following his footsteps,” he said.

Looking forward, the path seems ready for Sanders to take on a bigger role in the offense for the Longhorns next season.

The 18-year-old isn’t surprised, but still manages to be both humble and confident about the future.

“Like I said, God is setting up my road,” he says.

First baby of 2013

The first baby of the year. (Courtesy Photo)
The first baby of the year. (Courtesy Photo)

Story courtesy Toni Garrard Clay

ATHENS — The OB department at ETMC Athens delivers about 70 babies a month, but Ciara Kastner’s son falls into a unique category. At 6:07 p.m. Jan. 1, 2013, Ciara’s son took the distinction of being the first baby to be born at the hospital in the new year.

Clear-eyed Seth Roger Smith came into the world at a respectable 6 pounds, 8 ounces, measuring 18.25 inches in length. In addition to his mother, Seth is welcomed by his 1-year-old sister, Kailyn Smith, and his father, Josh Smith. The family makes their home in Mabank.

Seth was due Jan. 7, but decided to make his entrance a few days early.

“I think it’s amazing,” said Ciara of her son’s first-baby-of-the-year designation.

During her pregnancy, Ciara was under the care of Dr. Kathleen Knopp, and the baby was delivered by Dr. Jaspreet Sidhu. Ciara said before she went into labor, like most women great with child, she was very eager to deliver. “But when it was time to push, I was like, ‘No, no, no, no.’ I felt the baby was safer in there,” she said with a wry grin.

Her sudden reluctance is understandable in light of the tragedy that struck two years ago after Ciara and Josh lost their infant daughter, Savanna Rose, to an illness. But now, with a healthy daughter at home and a healthy son just delivered, Ciara is feeling “normal.”

“I love being a mother,” she said with great enthusiasm. “The way they look up to us and the love we get from them … It makes me feel important.”

Ciara said her hopes for Seth are simple. “I want him to be successful, to not give up on his dreams,” she said. “I want him to go to college.”

Simple aspirations can sometimes be the most profound.