Vicky Graff Photo
Jeremy Hatfield grew up in Muhlenberg County where his father was a “big UK fan” who shared his passion for the Wildcats with his son before his passing a few years ago.
Hatfield, a minister, left Kentucky in 2006 to take a job in St. Louis before later moving to Tucson where he said he was “reminded plenty of times” about UK’s loss to Arizona in the 1997 national title game.
“I would have my Kentucky golf bag and be on the course and would hear about it,” Hatfield said.
In 2021 Hatfield moved to Hattiesburg, Miss., and now can occasionally see Kentucky play in person. He took his middle two sons — Caleb, 14, and Silas, 10 — to see UK play at Mississippi State Tuesday night when the Wildcats rallied from a 13-point second-half deficit to win on a last-second shot by Reed Sheppard, who had 32 points.
“It was my first time taking them to a Kentucky game,” he said. “They never lived in Kentucky but because I am a Kentucky fan they gravitated to Kentucky, too.”
Hatfield and his sons got their picture with Jeff Sheppard, Reed’s father and one of Hatfield’s all-time favorite UK players. However, it got even better after the game. Not only did the boys get their picture with Reed Sheppard but they also got to meet D.J. Wagner, Justin Edwards, Tre Mitchell and Jordan Burks.
“Big Z (Zvonimir Ivisic) and (Rob) Dillingham did not come out but D.J. was super kind and so were the others,” Hatfield said.
What Hatfield also did, though, was take an iconic photo of Sheppard being embraced by his father, the 1998 Final Four Most Outstanding Player, after the huge win with Reed’s head on his father’s shoulder.
“I am not like a creative photographer type person,” Hatfield said. “My boys were the first one in line waiting for the player. They actually greeted Reed before his parents did. He was the last one to come out but they got his autograph and took a picture. We were ready to head back to Hattiesburg when his mom came over and my son got a picture of that and then his dad came. I was just standing there and was a little hesitant to take a photo of such a sweet family moment because I did not want to intrude.”
Hatfield’s friend, Brian Shannon, shared the photo on social media after Hatfield shared it on his personal page. It received a huge reaction on social media from UK fans.
“I think it was such a human picture. We love our Wildcat and see them as athletes but that was such a human moment between a father and son with Jeff and Reed that everyone can relate to,” Hatfield said.
The photo drew numerous comments from UK fans like this one from Sherri Stewart (@blukentuckygirl): “I couldn’t love this pic more. All the hard work, the hours of practice, traveling from gym to gym, concession food because no time for dinner, the hoop on the bedroom door to the bounce of the ball in the driveway … it makes it all worth it.”
Hatfield said while there were not a lot of UK fans in Starkville for Tuesday’s game, there was a “Go Big Blue” chant late in the game that got louder and louder.
“BBN always travels well,” he said.
His son Caleb wore a No. 22 UK jersey to the game. That was former UK guard Patrick Sparks’ number.
“He was in the church where I was a student minister (in Muhlenberg County),” Hatfield said. “I was always a huge fan of Jeff but I sure enjoy watching Reed with his basketball IQ and how he plays the game.”
6 Responses
I my self saw the picture on social media yesterday and it speaks a thousand words.
My wife and I were at the Duke game in 1992 when Kentucky lost to Duke. We were staying at the same hotel as the team. After the game, the team came back to the hotel for the night before returning to Lexington. There was a large crowd of fans in the hotel lobby when the team came in. We experienced a moment, such as seen here between John Pelfrey and his father. My wife commented at the time that she always viewed the players as just athletes, but in that moment, she saw just a kid with his dad. He was very moving as is this picture.
Great memory Don
I’m from Muhlenberg County Ky and a huge Ky fan and I see Jeff coming around off the curl and hitting shot after shot in 1998 to win the championship, great memories and Reed is just a complete player, I also never missed a Muhlenberg North game as Patrick Sparks was jus a great player and a legend here , so many games and moments I’ll never forget.
Would make a great Father’s Day card. Certainly moving.
Sure hope Reed isn’t telling coach where he is and who’s playing in first pic or a great line may read “for that shot you get 2 points”. Being an old fart I shouldn’t are fun !!