Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Ill., has issued a statement commemorating the life and legacy of legendary football coach Lou Holtz, who passed away on Wednesday.
Buckner shared his personal reflections with Fox News Digital, recalling Holtz's efforts to recruit him to the University of South Carolina for college football. "Like a lot of Chicago kids, I grew up watching Lou Holtz on the sidelines at Notre Dame," Buckner stated. "I was incredibly honored that our paths crossed years later when he recruited me during his time at South Carolina."
He added, "I ultimately chose a different path, but the chance to sit with him, hear his vision, and learn from a man who meant so much to the game is something I’ll never forget. Coach Holtz is a true legend of college football. I’m praying for his family and for everyone who loved him."
Buckner's tribute stands out as other Democratic figures, including those with ties to football like Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, have made no public statements regarding Holtz's death.
Holtz, a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2020. He concluded his coaching career with a 249-132-7 record and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.