Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Football Family Rallying Around Former Cardinal Battling ALS
September 16, 2021 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. -Â Ball State Football alumni are displaying the True Cardinal mentality by rallying around former Ball State standout, Kevin "K.J." Kinnee, who is taking on the ferocious disease, ALS. That mentality is playing out in the form of a new 501 (c) (3) which aims to support former teammates with medical expenses along with their mental and physical health.
This new entity, Gridiron Brotherhood, will kick off their fundraising with a long-distance run by Kevin's Ball State teammate, Dave Curtin, who will run 180 miles from Northwest Indiana to Scheumann Stadium to raise awareness and dollars. This will occur in tandem with Ball State Football Alumni Day and the University's annual Family Weekend culminating with the Cardinals football game on September 25th.
"K.J. is one of the best to ever suit up for the Cardinals and he was a terrific teammate," said Kurt Gehrisch, a former Cardinal himself who is spearheading Gridiron Brotherhood. "It's our turn to be great teammates for K.J. during this difficult time and we invite Cardinals everywhere to support our mission and get to the game on September 25th."
The group's goal is to raise $46,000 which will help offset the rising expenses it takes to live with ALS, better known to some as Lou Gehrig's Disease. K.J. wore number 46 for the Cardinal and White. Fans and supporters are encouraged to contribute HERE or by purchasing a ticket to the Family Weekend game against Toledo VIA THIS SPECIAL LINK through which a portion of the sale will be donated to Gridiron Brotherhood and directly support K.J.
Curtin, currently Dean of Students at Bremen High School in south suburban Chicago, is an ultra-marathoner with a history of using his endurance talent as a vehicle for good. His 180-mile trek will do the same for K.J.
"This is a brotherhood and we want to help our brother, K.J., but we also want to support Ball State, a place that is really important to me and all of us," Curtin said. "I hope many of you will join me along the run and at the stadium so we can lift up K.J. and then cheer on the defending MAC Champs to another win."Â
K.J. is poised to make the most of this.
"I always say, 'smile, it's contagious,'" he remarked. "Be positive every day, be grateful of what you have. Approach every day with the 'Eye of the Tiger' attitude and you'll be surprised on what you can conquer! I'll share a quote: 'Doesn't matter how hard you get hit, it's how you get back up and keep moving forward.'"
Supporters can stay updated on Curtin's progress, his route and ways to contribute by following the Facebook page HERE.Â
"We are thrilled to support a True Cardinal in K.J. and can't wait to have K.J. and Dave as honorary captains on September 25th," said Ball State head football coach Mike Neu. "What Kurt and Gridiron Brotherhood are doing is impactful work. We look forward to having a bunch of football alumni and their loved ones back to campus."
This new entity, Gridiron Brotherhood, will kick off their fundraising with a long-distance run by Kevin's Ball State teammate, Dave Curtin, who will run 180 miles from Northwest Indiana to Scheumann Stadium to raise awareness and dollars. This will occur in tandem with Ball State Football Alumni Day and the University's annual Family Weekend culminating with the Cardinals football game on September 25th.
"K.J. is one of the best to ever suit up for the Cardinals and he was a terrific teammate," said Kurt Gehrisch, a former Cardinal himself who is spearheading Gridiron Brotherhood. "It's our turn to be great teammates for K.J. during this difficult time and we invite Cardinals everywhere to support our mission and get to the game on September 25th."
The group's goal is to raise $46,000 which will help offset the rising expenses it takes to live with ALS, better known to some as Lou Gehrig's Disease. K.J. wore number 46 for the Cardinal and White. Fans and supporters are encouraged to contribute HERE or by purchasing a ticket to the Family Weekend game against Toledo VIA THIS SPECIAL LINK through which a portion of the sale will be donated to Gridiron Brotherhood and directly support K.J.
Curtin, currently Dean of Students at Bremen High School in south suburban Chicago, is an ultra-marathoner with a history of using his endurance talent as a vehicle for good. His 180-mile trek will do the same for K.J.
"This is a brotherhood and we want to help our brother, K.J., but we also want to support Ball State, a place that is really important to me and all of us," Curtin said. "I hope many of you will join me along the run and at the stadium so we can lift up K.J. and then cheer on the defending MAC Champs to another win."Â
K.J. is poised to make the most of this.
"I always say, 'smile, it's contagious,'" he remarked. "Be positive every day, be grateful of what you have. Approach every day with the 'Eye of the Tiger' attitude and you'll be surprised on what you can conquer! I'll share a quote: 'Doesn't matter how hard you get hit, it's how you get back up and keep moving forward.'"
Supporters can stay updated on Curtin's progress, his route and ways to contribute by following the Facebook page HERE.Â
"We are thrilled to support a True Cardinal in K.J. and can't wait to have K.J. and Dave as honorary captains on September 25th," said Ball State head football coach Mike Neu. "What Kurt and Gridiron Brotherhood are doing is impactful work. We look forward to having a bunch of football alumni and their loved ones back to campus."
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