Kampman on the scene

For anyone who knows Aaron Kampman, you know this was where he was going to be, toting a chainsaw and helping his neighbors even with his grandfather in the hospital.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=755640

I never felt like I got to know Aaron Kampman well in his days here. He was the prize recruit of the 1998 class. He was a high school Parade all-American linebacker who had designs on middle linebacker for the Hawkeyes, who beat out Nebraska for his services.

Hayden Fry retired and Kirk Ferentz was hired in December '98. Kampman soon found himself with his hand on the ground for the first time in his career, playing defensive end. His junior year was a learning experience. You could see the wisdom in the move during Kampman's senior season, when he earned first-team all-Big Ten, with nine sacks and 17 tackles for loss.

But even when the football wasn't always what he might've thought it should be, Kampman was always the man he thought he should be. His belief in God was alway evident. He talked about it openly. He always showed up and gave an honest assessment, which wasn't always easy in '99 and '00.

You could make the argument that Kampman was drafted more on character than talent. Of course, everyone knows where the talent part is today. The guy's a Pro Bowler. You could argue that the talent is catching up to the character.

Godspeed to Kampman's grandfather.

Here are some nuggets from Kampman's Green Bay bio (some pretty great stuff here):