Despite Cats’ loss, Brooks happy with extra sour cream packet from Wendy’s

The day after Kentucky lost to South Carolina Thursday night, Rich Brooks returned to the same Nicholasville Road Wendy’s he has frequented since becoming the Wildcats’ head coach five years ago.  Like every other visit, Wendy’s Manager Jane Summers was there to greet him with a Diet Coke, a baked potato, and a smile.  But when Brooks did not return Summers’ gesture with his usual growl, she knew something was wrong.

“He just sort of looked at me like he didn’t know what was going on, almost the way he looks on game day,” said the longtime manager and mother of six. “I just knew he wanted a little something to soothe the heat, so I gave him the extra sour cream packet.”

Brooks appreciated the packet and said it helped put things into perspective.

“I just love coming in here because Jane and her staff are so nice,” said the normally surly coach. “When they reached under the counter and put that extra sour cream packet on my tray, I just thought, ‘You know, football isn’t everything.’  They understand that those baked potatoes get pretty darn warm, so a little extra cream can really cool it off.  Talk about being off the hot seat.”

As Brooks was set to leave, Summers motioned him to come back towards the counter, where she gave him a complimentary Frosty and a coupon for a free cup of chili.  For the first time in five years, Brooks rang the bell indicating he received good service, and left the restaurant in his Lincoln, his left turn signal flashing as he crept down Nicholasville Road.