DJK

So I was on my way to work this morning chatting with my cousin Ashlee, and as we were chattin about how excited we both are for HAWKEYE FOOTBALL SEASON to kick off (24 days... but who's counting; ), she enlightened me with an awesome story... it was in regards to an article she read in the paper about Derrell Johnson-Koulianos... by far one of my favorite Hawkeye football players throughout his 3 years here... After reading the article, I have a newfound respect for DJK, for more reasons than one... one humorous reason especially (I will get to that in a bit...:o)

So long story short, if the movie "The Blind Side" hadn't just came out about a young man with a rough childhood, who was taken in and eventually adopted by a great family (hence the Koulianos), worked hard to bring his grades up, had huge success at the collegiate football level, and then went on to be a first round pick in the NFL draft, then DJK could have filled the part just as well as Michael Oher... minus the NFL draft part (although I don't think that will be out of the question...)  It is really a neat article... here is the link... DJK Rags to Riches. 

As touching as his story is, there's something else about him that connects us on more of a humorous, and "personal" level: )... what is it you ask?  Well, DJK and I both attended the University of Iowa... we share the same astrological sign (Aquarius: )... we are both athletic... but Ashlee informed me (with a big chuckle; ) that we relate on a different level too... to explain, here is the blip from the article...

DJK:  "My mom started going to my parent-teacher conferences when she wasn’t my mom, asking ‘How’s Derrell doing?’ Teachers would tell her he’s a sweet guy, comes to class, great spirit, but he’s late, and when he is here he’s sleeping.  She would stress to me ‘You can’t sleep in class.’ OK, Mom, I won’t. I’d still sleep in class. Always. She thought ‘Let’s get him a sleep test.’ Sure enough, I went to this facility where they had me sleep with all these wires for three days. It’s a miserable experience. You’d stay up, go to sleep for 20 minutes, on and off for three days.  Sure enough, the test result came back and I had mid-level narcolepsy." 

HAHAHA!  Atleast I'm in good company!  I can so relate buddy... I can so relate... wires glued to your face and head... 15 minute naps... thank goodness my dad was there during mine to keep me entertained between naps because it is boring!  Maybe DJK will dedicate a game this year to the Hawkeye Nation Narcoleptics... wouldn't that be something.  I'm still chuckling about this Ash: )  Thanks for the laughs!!

On that note, have a great rest of your week everyone!