Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari shares his perspective on coal miner in viral photo

UK basketball coach talks about coal miner Michael McGuire — still with coal dust in his beard and face — joining his son to watch the Wildcats' Blue-White scrimmage game.

[colinmorgan]

Respect to the Miner doing what he had to to be there for his son....Salute sir

[knightwriter]

I'm not a Kentucky fan but this goes FAR beyond sports. I respect Calipari. This was not for show. He's long past needing to get attention. This was a sincere form of kindness.

[trekuhl]

I have honestly never been a fan of John Calipari, this story has changed my perspective. The miner and the importance of his family has made a tremendous impact on John Calipari. WOW! what a great uplifting story.

[thomaspritchard]

Once my Dad told me as we walked towards a department store "Son I've made my money in these clothes, I can spend my money in these clothes" it brought some New meaning to some of my thoughts. Thanks Dad!

[jimpowell]

This is who Calipari is. He cares for the individual be it the player or the fan. He loves the fact that this man would rather take his son to the game dirty than to clean up and possibly miss it. It’s not about winning back a fan base it’s trying to stress to his players the basics family responsibilities. I’m glad coach recognized the opportunity to teach his team a valuable lesson in priorities.

[daveletwak]

Hell yeah!! Go Kentucky!! God bless to all the hard working Mothers and Fathers!!

[vcrew]

As a father of three boys who works as an auto mechanic to provide and comes from an Irish central Pennsylvania coal miner family it’s great to see the recognition.

[shonehitim]

The key here is that his wife doesn't look down on him for not having the BAG or whatever nonsense is said. She respects him enough so that this was a moment of pride not shame. How many women dog out their husbands for how they dress and their appearance? This wife shows appreciation and gratitude to a hard working man, doing his best for his family. God bless that family and God bless Coach for spotlighting unsung heroes like this father.

[brianklein]

Respect for this from a proud Cardinal fan. These stories knock down barriers, even if for a moment

[zacharyvalloric]

Best story I’ve heard in a while that’s a real man

[paulks]

Not a coach Cal fan, but this was a great story and a great point to show his players about real life.

[tomlee]

It makes me cry that it took this long in our history to give a damn about the working man. My great, great, great grandfather was a sandhog. All the rest were coal miners. My dad came to Detroit and worked as a lineman. I became a technician. My son went down to Nashville and works construction as a heavy equipment operator and my daughter is here with me in Michigan as a registered nurse. To see this man do as much as he can to be with his family makes me proud to be an American. God bless him.

[H-sgracesavedme]

Beautiful! I honor and respect the hard men doing hard work what a coach to respect.

[BillyAlabama]

One of the warmest stories I’ve ever heard. Thank you.

[paulhale]

I love how this becomes news. Wholesome news. All winners here. 😇

[chriskelly]

That picture will make for a lifelong smile on that kids face, "That's my Dad! My amazing Dad!"

[andrewbuck]

Well done John. Trying to win back your fan base. The floods in eastern Kentucky was unfortunate. But if you look around, you will see more people like him in your stadium, cheering on your team.

[EverydayDesigner]

Respect to the miner, hisnson will cherish those moments for ever .

[drrd]

All my family are coal miners, generations upon generations of coal miners. My Great, Great Grandfather died in WW1 and we have his enlistment form, on that form they ask a question to the soldiers "What is your calling in life?" And my grandfather wrote "Coal miners" just like his daddy. It hit me like a ton of bricks, here's me trying to climb the corporate ladder when some men just want to be a coal miners and put bread on the table, there is no glory in coal mining, it is a humble job for sure. I don't care how much you practiced being able to play professional basketball is a privilege because most men have back breaking careers of little pay.

[kathyrama]

I am a coal miners daughter and proud to be. This story really touched my heart and brought back so many memories of my Dad, who literally smothered to death. I had a friend who was a Section foreman took me inside a mine in 1974. I got so scared he had to bring me out. I had a lit more respect for my Dad.