Arizona’s Senior Night ceremony typically includes a walk to midfield involving players and their families.
The Wildcats didn’t do that this year, instead having the family members stand on the 50-yard line. Each player was announced, came out of the tunnel, hugged Rodriguez and ran to their family members.
The most notable participants on that 50-yard line — Ken Griffey Jr., the baseball legend, awaited his son, Trey, a UA receiver. Taryn Griffey, Trey’s sister and a point guard on the Arizona women’s basketball team, was also there.
Tight end Josh Kern brought a special guest: Art Valdez. He is the father of Andrew Valdez, an Arizona superfan who died last year following complications from cystic fibrosis. Kern became close with the Valdez family, and was a pallbearer at Andrew’s funeral. When Kern asked Art to join him for Senior Night, the superfan’s father cried.
