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 Thursday, October 11, 2001
Pac-10 spotlight: Kenyon Coleman
By Todd Harris
Special to ABC Sports Online
During these trying times, everyone needs a rock of support to lean on. For the 12th-ranked UCLA Bruins, that rock comes in the form of 6-foot-6, 280-pound senior Kenyon Coleman. It's not just his size that makes him such an easy choice for team anchor, both physically and mentally this young man is the complete package.
|  | | Kenyon Coleman has 11 tackles so far this season. |
Had E.F. Hutton known about him, they would have certainly made No. 99 their poster boy. "When Kenyon Coleman talks, people listen." So it was last Tuesday in a UCLA team meeting following the terrorist attacks on the U.S. when Kenyon stood to speak the room fell silent.
"Humble yourself," Coleman said. "I am like you. I love playing football. I will have a career playing football. But this is bigger than yourself and bigger than football."
Wisdom beyond his years.
Last year Kenyon was on track to claim any and all awards available at his position, but after a season-ending injury in only the second game, all speculation was that he would leave school early for the riches of the NFL. Unfortunately for opposing teams, he's Baaaaacckk! Not only to take care of unfinished business on the field, but to complete his studies and earn his degree at UCLA.
This rock of Westwood is not new to seizing the moment and saying what needs to be said. He gave similar words of wisdom and comfort following the death of Northwestern defensive back Rashidi Wheeler.
"If your foundation is built on anything else but God, it will crumble. If it is built on God, the foundation can't be touched."
Kenyon was raised without much material wealth, but he treats his faith as his most valued possession and places religion as priority number one.
"He's our spiritual leader. He's mature, he's perceptive and he's very intelligent. He is a breath of fresh air," according to head coach Bob Toledo.
To put it simply, Kenyon Coleman is all four horsemen of the apocalypse on the field and quite literally a choir boy off it. He loves to sing, so much so that he sang the National Anthem at a women's gymnastics meet. There was no choir practice that night so he was free. He is an active member of Athletes in Action and a frequent speaker at Campus Crusade. Jesse Jackson he is not, but with all due respect, the good Reverend can't dominate at defensive end like Mr. Coleman.
Like I said, Kenyon Coleman is the complete package. You can also list guidance counselor as one of his many abilities.
"Kenyon is more than my teammate, he's my spiritual brother. When I have questions that don't have to do with football, I go to Kenyon," says linebacker Ryan Nece.
So check out this rock of leadership and support, he's hard to miss. Just look for No. 99, and don't be surprised if you most often find him in the Ohio State Buckeyes backfield wreaking havoc. Because while the Bruin faithful think of Psalms 23:4 when they think of Kenyon Coleman, most opposing coaches and players will liken him more to the Destroying Angel. It all takes place this Saturday in one of the great Cathedrals of college football -- the Rose Bowl.
Todd Harris will be on the sidelines for Saturday's Ohio State-UCLA game on ABC with Keith Jackson and Tim Brant. He writes a regular Pac-10 spotlight for ABC Sports Online.
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