There have been countless talented athletes to roam the halls of Belfry High School, but arguably the greatest to ever don the red and white was the late Rick Kestner.

Kestner attended BHS from 1958-62 and lettered in basketball, baseball, football and track all four years as a Pirate. One source says Kestner graduated with 16 letters; a feat not easily attainable. He was first team all-area in basketball his junior and senior years; scored over 1500 points; finished his baseball career with a batting average of .385 and assisted the squad to its first trip to state.

While he was a natural when he walked onto the court or baseball diamond, it was on the football field Kestner’s star seemed to shine a bit brighter.

He was chosen All-State in football during both his junior and senior years with 38 touchdown receptions as a Pirate. The present head football coach for BHS, Philip Haywood, said Kestner was an “outstanding, unbelievably great athlete.”

“The stories abound about how great he was,” said Haywood. “He proved it by going on to play for college and the pros. Over the years, he was always gracious toward everyone. He is not only loved here but throughout Kentucky.”

One of Kestner’s teammates in high school was Walter “Junior “Catron. He played all four sports with the local legend and told WDN that

Kestner was a great student but an even better athlete.

‘He could ring your bell,” Catron recalls. “When we practiced (football), I always dreaded lining up on offense with him on defense.”

Catron remembers Kestner as a happy young man with wonderful parents that treated everyone with respect. He ended his football career at BHS as the all-time leading scorer at that time with 242 points.

Upon graduation in 1962, Kestner received a football scholarship to play for the University of Kentucky. He was named All-SEC in 1964 and 1965; first team All-Sectional in 1964 and 65; All American 1965 Playboy Magazine; all academic sectional in 64 and 65; national lineman of the week in 1965 and second team academic All-American the same year.

The highlight of his life as a Wildcat came in 1964 when UK upset then No. 1 Ole Miss. Kestner caught nine passes for three touchdowns and 185 yards. The Wildcats rallied from behind 14-13 in the second half to defeat Ole Miss 27-21. Later UK would beat Auburn 20-0, also considered an upset.

UK retired Kestner's number 80 jersey and he is included in the Circle of Fame at Common Wealth Stadium.

He was drafted by the NFL during the third round by the the Baltimore Colts and played during the 1966-67 season. He then played for the Miami Dolphins from 1967-1978.

Injuries to his shoulder and wrist caused Kestner to finally retire. However, he is remembered and idolized by younger players from BHS when he came home to assist with the football program.

David Scott graduated from Belfry in 1982. He said during his sophomore year. Kestner was helping coach the ends on offense.

“One day he shows up for practice in a suit and tie and wants me to fire off the line into him wearing full pads,” Scott recalls. “I was so worried that I'd hurt him that I only went half speed. Bad idea. He put me on my butt and I didn't touch a thread on his suit. He then leaned over and told me 'Never take it easy on your opponent. Ever.' Message received.”

Neil Roberts graduated a year after Scott and said Kestner was his neighbor.

“I was about eight when Rick moved next door,” he said. “He would toss baseball with us in the side yard, and his tosses always stung the center of my hand and made me grimace. He loved that. He always corrected me when I would catch the ball in the webbing of my glove. He instructed me to catch it in my hand inside the glove so I could transfer it to my throwing hand without digging it out of the webbing.”

Kestner also worked with Roberts in football.

“He usually showed up after individual drills, and would stand silently off to the side, but if he felt like getting into the action, someone was going to go rolling, and everybody dreaded him lining up across from us,” Roberts said. “He took particular delight in picking up a stray football in those massive paws and picking out an unsuspecting target. When that person wasn't looking, he would fire it at their head. Nearly always the ball would find the helmet of the victim, and he would still be woozy on the drive home. It was always good practice to pay attention to where Rick was on the field.”

He was inducted into the KHSAA Hall of Fame in 2006 and the BHS HOF in 1988.

Kestner died of a massive heart attack Sept. 25, 2009.

“I truly miss him,” Catron said obviously upset. “We grew up together. I miss him and have every day since I found out he passed away.