Dave Wiemers tells the story better than anyone.
The Emporia State football coach begins, and he immediately loses the battle to keep a smile off his face. It always seems to happen when he mentions Justin Whitworth.
Coaches — like parents — aren’t really supposed to have favorites. Wiemers gave up the fight earlier this year.
The coach went on the record, calling Whitworth one of his favorite players of all-time.
And now, if you listen closely enough, Wiemers is about to tell you why.
* * *
Justin Whitworth had just been hit hard. Really hard.
After a quarterback scramble up the middle last year, he had been met dead on by a Northwest Missouri State linebacker.
“I ran out on the field to check to see if he was all right, to see if he had his capacities, and he’s laying on the turf, and he’s really playing it up pretty good,” Wiemers said.
With rubber pellets from the field turf still on his face, Whitworth said he was fine to get up.
Except that he didn’t want to.
Whitworth asked Wiemers if back up quarterback Ben Purkeypile had gotten enough time to warm up, because he would be happy to lay there and be injured a few more minutes if Purkeypile needed it.
Wiemers could only laugh.
And so Whitworth laid on the ground for a little while longer. Then, he hopped up and sprinted off the field.
Wiemers turned to the official and asked if he could believe what had just happened. Neither man could.
“Those are things,” Wiemers said, “you just don’t expect from guys.”
* * *
Since arriving at Emporia State five years ago, Whitworth never has been quite like any of the others.
“He was always a really mature guy right out of the gate,” Wiemers said. “Most 18-year-olds, they think they know everything and they really don’t. He was never really like that.”
Witworth has always been ready to accept any role given to him on the team.
He started as the full-time holder. He was also a full-time signaler on the sidelines for then-starter Tad Hatfield.
After that, his duties have gone from backup to starter last season to reserve again this season.
“He’s always taken it with a lot of professionalism and maturity,” Wiemers said. “As a coach, you don’t often get that. As much as you try, it doesn’t happen all that often. He’s handled it better than anybody we’ve ever had.”
There is a new story with Justin Whitworth. Wiemers likes this one just as well.
The senior had only seen brief action this season when he was called upon last week against Fort Hays State to sub in for the starter Ben Purkeypile.
Simply put, Whitworth had one of the best games of his collegiate career.
He jumpstarted the ESU offense, helping the team score in his first two possessions on the field. He finished the game completing 7-of-9 passes for 148 yards, throwing for a score and running for another.
But that’s not the story.
After the game, Whitworth was asked by reporters if he expected to see more playing time.
“Ben is the starter, don’t get me wrong,” Whitworth said. “He’s a much better player than me. I agree completely with this (situation).”
Here was the chance to make his case — to let everyone know he deserved another shot at the starting role. He had paid his dues, played his heart out and helped the team win a game that was in question before he participated.
The least he could do was toot his own horn.
Not Justin Whitworth.
“I’ve been watching Ben 3 1/2 years, and he has more talent than I’ve seen in a lot of quarterbacks,” Whitworth said. “He’s earned the spot, and as long as we’re winning, I couldn’t care less.
“It’s a tough pill to swallow, but I’ve dealt with a lot tougher stuff in my life than being a backup quarterback.”
Wiemers said the comments he read after the game might not have surprised him.
But they sure did make him proud.
“In the day and the age of kids sometimes trying to portray themselves more than being a reflection of a team, that’s certainly what you want to hear out of your players,” Wiemers said. “Wow, what a kid.”
Whitworth will not be the starter this week. He doesn’t believe he should be. He might not be ever again.
Still, he seems content with playing the team role just fine.
If that makes him Coach’s favorite, then so be it.
“I didn’t really know for sure until he said it,” Whitworth said. “I could always kind of tell the coaches enjoyed me and have always been pretty nice to me every time I talk to any of them.
“I enjoy being in all of their company as well.”