Bill Keightley has been with the University of Kentucky Men's Basketball program since 1962. He has held the title of Equipment Manager since 1972. During that time, he worked for six coaches, was a part of three national championship teams and handled the equipment of countless UK legends. When asked why he kept on working, he said, "It's not a job, its just me loving my life."
Many would say that Keightley had a job that powerful people would covet. Many would say he had a job that many University of Kentucky fans would pay to have. He has watched every UK game from the bench since 1962. No one else can come close to saying that. He has seen championships, stunning wins and losses. He was there in 1966 when Texas Western beat the Cats' in the famed "race" game. He was there when Duke took out the Cats', in overtime, 1992. He was there when the Jack "The Goose" Givens laid 41 golden eggs on Duke in the 78' Title Game. He was there when we lost to Marquette a couple of weeks ago. He has seen it all and every UK fan would be joking if they wouldn't want to do what he has done.
Bill Keightley died, March 31, 2008. What a sad day for Big Blue Nation. When I heard the news, I was shocked. And while I have never meet him, I almost cried. He seemed like such a warm and caring person. But, the more I thought about, the more I realized, I don't know anything about "Mr. Wildcat". Anything other than him being the Equipment Manager for almost as long as I've been alive, I really don't know anything about him. He was 81.
He lived what most would consider an unbelievable life. But, I don't know if he had a relationship with Jesus or not. 81 years of a life most people would almost kill for is quite an accomplishment, but what good would it have been if he doesn't know Jesus?
In Mark 8:36, Jesus poses a very important question for all of us to ponder in our quest for the good life: "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" I don't know whether or not Mr. Keightley had a relationship with Lord or not, I sincerely hope that he did. But, I do know that without Jesus nothing else in life really matters.
I didn't write this piece to pass any judgment of any type, I wrote it that we might consider what it is that we consider to be the good life and what really matters. We all chase the dream in different areas of our desires, but hopefully when it is all said and done we haven't forfeited our relationship with Christ. Because in the end, that's all that matters.
Today, we mourn with the Keightley's in grief. Tomorrow, let us consider not only our own lives, but also the lives of those around us. Ask yourself, "I am ready to see Jesus face to face? Is my neighbor? Is my friend? Is my child? Is my spouse?" This is the only question in life that everyone must answer for. In the end nothing else in life really matters.
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