“TK” & Week 14 NFL Picks

Tim "TK" Ketterhagen constantly lifted the spirits of everyone around him. You will be missed, "TK."

As you know, I usually do a write up about a certain NFL topic before I give my picks for the week. However, I’m changing it up this week so I can share some thoughts of a lifelong friend that I recently lost to cancer. Tim “TK” Ketterhagen was as genuine and nice of a person as I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I knew Tim from grade school on. My family lived down the street from the Ketterhagen’s, and I bonded with “TK” & his brother Kurt during our backyard football games, driveway basketball games & WWE wrestling pay-per-view watch parties.

Mrs. Ketterhagen was my 5th grade teacher. I was never the best student, nor do I have many fond memories of teachers that I tormented in school, but Mrs. Ketterhagen was one of the select few that taught me so much. She left a lasting memory, and that’s all an extremely mediocre student like myself can ask for. Mr. K is also good people. He was always so gracious to me and my family, no matter what trouble us kids got into. And Kurt is all world. He remains a good friend, and one of the realest dudes on the planet.

Speaking of real people (and there are so few these days), “TK” was at the top of the list. From the time I met him until the last time I saw him over the summer, he was always so cool to me. When you get to high school, it’s easy to get picked on by kids older than you. For me, it happened fairly regularly. Who knows, perhaps some of it had to do with me being a smart-ass? I know, not much has changed.

Despite getting my balls busted as a freshman, Tim was always there to tell me to not let it affect me and to act as though it didn’t bother me. I appreciated that, and remember those conversations. It’s often the little things that people do that can have the greatest effect. He was never above anyone, and always kept it real. And as I’ve grown older, you realize just how many fake people you come across in life. That’s what makes this so hard.

Tim was a guy you always wanted at parties and who always made you laugh. When he hit a half court shot at Wheaton North and danced like he just won the NBA title, I loved every second of it. He lived his life to the fullest, and was full of positive energy. He made you feel good, it’s that simple.

And most of all, I’ll remember him for being a friend. A person who always had time to say hello and ask how you and the family were doing. This is a tremendous loss, and one that will be tough to get over. But knowing Tim, he wouldn’t want anyone to ask “why him?” “Why now?” He wanted to be remembered for his wins, not his losses. And being able to call him a friend is quite the win for the sarcastic smart-ass who took his words of advice to heart. RIP “TK.” The swagger that you carried yourself with will always be appreciated.

Knowing “TK’s” love of sports, I’m pretty sure he’d want me to get on with my week 14 picks. So, here they are. As usual, home team in CAPS.

I’m 0-1 on the week, because I picked the Steelers to cover Thursday night. It would have been a layup if Ben Roethlisberger didn’t have his ankle snapped in the 1st half. Big ups to the rapist by the way. He has been an easy target, but there is no denying his toughness, competitiveness & ridiculous talent.

Colts +17 over RAVENS

BENGALS -3 over Texans

JETS -10.5 over Chiefs

LIONS -10 over Vikings

Saints -4 over TITANS

Eagles +3 over DOLPHINS

Patriots -9 over REDSKINS

Falcons -3 over PANTHERS

JAGS +3 over Bucs

Niners -4.5 over CARDINALS

Bears +3.5 over BRONCOS

PACKERS -12 over Raiders