CAMPBELL COUNTY, Ky (LEX 18) — The loss of Jared Lorenzen is particularly hard on those in northern Kentucky.
At the Fourth of July parade in his hometown, you couldn't walk by a person who didn't have a fond memory of their favorite quarterback.
"Threw a perfect pass 90 yards for a touchdown," Ft. Thomas resident Thomas Heilman remembered.
One person at the parade described the late football star as "the kindest and the sweetest." Residents remembered how nice he was to little kids, saying that if anyone asked him to talk or asked him for an autograph, he'd stop for them. He had a great personality and is being remembered not only as a great athlete, but as someone who was great with people.
The former UK player's friend, Jeff Bezold, told LEX 18 that Lorenzen would want the people of his hometown to celebrate, rather than mourn.
"Jared would not want anyone to sulk over his not being with us. He would want us to celebrate and have a good day, and that’s what we’re gonna do," said Bezold. "The response from the city of Ft. Thomas, from his friends here, from all across the state has been very consistent. And the consistency is that he was a great man."
It was tough, but Lorenzen's hometown celebrated the Fourth of July and the life of the man known affectionately as Hefty Lefty.
Parade organizer Linda Slone told LEX 18 she has known Lorenzen since he was 12, and that he is someone that will always be honored in their community.
"Someone we’ll miss for the rest of our lives," she said.
Lorenzen will be inducted into another hall of fame, the one at his high school.
He died Wednesday at the age of 38.
You can watch the Hey Kentucky tribute to their dear friend, Jared Lorenzen here.
