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John Calipari Consoles Memphis Family with a Jersey and an Offer

A Memphis family had a big surprise recently from Kentucky Basketball head coach John Calipari that would console their heavy hearts.

West Memphis teen Taylor Vail was shot and killed in a drive by shooting while sleeping at his grandmother’s house and as you can read in the article below his Mom is obviously having a hard time dealing with her loss.

Vail’s favorite team was the Kentucky Wildcats and his godmother got in contact with UK and John Calipari took care of the rest.


“When I opened it up – oh my goodness – I was bawling crying,” Vail said. “I was so excited.”

Inside was a custom, blue Kentucky jersey marked with her son’s last name and his favorite number. On the front, it was signed by Wildcats coach John Calipari.

Accompanying the gear was a letter and an official scholarship offer, intended to fulfill a dream that was tragically stopped short his freshman year of high school.

Read “John Calipari’s gesture for family of slain West Memphis teen” by clicking here.

What a great gesture from UK Basketball and Coach Cal!!

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