Shane Kinkennon
Induction Year: 2023
What Impact has Summit had on your life?
Very personally, the mere existence of Summit reminds me that that I am a pretty capable human because it was me who started the program. I’m lucky because that knowledge has paid real dividends for me professionally! Far more importantly, even though I stopped playing 11 years ago (in 2012), I remain supremely bonded to my Summit teammates. Those friendships feel forged, are still vibrant today, and have enriched my life in nearly indescribable ways. I feel an upwelling of affection even thinking about it.
What is one of your favorite memories related to Summit?
My favorite memory of Summit is when we won A Division at Chicago Pride Bowl in 2012. At the final whistle, my face dropped into my palms, and I sobbed. That is something that had not happened even when I earlier played on two Gay Bowl championship teams (for Washington, DC). I could not fathom that the ragtag outfit I started five years earlier had reached such a height. (And that I, as the oldest, smallest guy on that team, had just played perhaps the best football of my life.) It remains the most overpowering joy I’ve ever felt. Maybe the right word is bliss.
For as long as I live, I’ll be grateful to Joe Cooper who ran that team with wisdom and grace, Nick Berry who set an insanely high bar then gently lifted his defense toward it, and Jon Bryson for an offense that simply showed up to win. Oh, and Namon Huddleston and Dustin Stapleton who lined up beside and behind me, respectively, playing out of their minds. I love you guys to the moon and back.
Message for future summit players:
Bring your competitive fire!! But don’t do so at the expense of your decency. Your opponent is not an enemy – they are LGBTQ people and allies just like you. Only when they push you do you get to discover your own greatness. So, be decent even as you play to win. More importantly, never stop being grateful for all of this: that athletic body, this amazing program, the folks you get to play with, and so forth. Finally, when you take that Summit field, hit somebody! A little bit of extra physicality, within the rules of course, can make all the difference.