Head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns are one step closer to the college football playoffs with their recent victory against Florida Gators (49-17). Sarkisian has some great players in his well-rounded squad, but some do not get the limelight they deserve. Take, for instance, his offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., who is being talked about as a potential first-rounder for next year’s NFL Draft. Although he is helping the Longhorns win games, few people know about his personal challenges. His journey is marked by a heartbreaking family story, which is definitely going to inspire many today. On November 15, College GameDay shared his tragic family story, revealing the struggles and resilience of his mother, Monica Banks.

The player’s father, Kelvin Banks Sr., narrated the story behind his wife’s diagnosis and mentioned how he met a gentleman who had the same symptoms as his wife and because of him, they started examining her. “They seen toxins. Was leaking out of the gall bladder. Once they started draining it, she started coming back to life. When we took it to the hospital, they couldn’t find the thing, so they gave the fluorescent, and she came home again. And then went right back. Every weekend, when we were back in the hospital for about a year.” We need our family the most during our bad times. The Banks family’s unwavering support for each other became their greatest strength.

Kelvin is just 20 years old; it might be very difficult for him to cope with family challenges and his football career. His mother shed light on the same and said, “Being a 20-year-old and having to deal with their mother possibly die? That’s a big thing.” But the good news is that she is eager to get back to the stadium on game day. She feels she has already missed too many.

Kelvin also reflected on the emotional rollercoaster he experienced during his mother’s health crisis and stated, “It definitely were times where I would be angry and frustrated. Everybody needs their mom, so just not being able to pick up the phone and talk to my mom was definitely tough.” The journey was difficult, but all of them stood by each other, and that is what makes a family. His statements reflect how much he has missed his mom, but now that she is getting better, Kelvin has to make her proud when she is present in the stadium to support him.

Kelvin Bank Jr., a key player in Texas’s offensive line

Kelvin Banks Jr. has made a significant impact on Steve Sarkisian’s offensive line this season. In the season opener, he played a crucial role against Colorado State and helped them achieve a remarkable 545 yards. Similarly, against Michigan, he stood up again, displayed some strong blocking, and contributed to 389 yards of their offense. The junior is on the right track.

Summer Creek High School has helped him develop his skills. During his school career, he made a name for himself in no time and earned multiple awards. He was named to the Preseason MaxPreps All-America Second team, and he also earned first-time All-District honors. Texas was not the only program he visited; LSU and Oklahoma State also wanted to recruit him. But he decided to play for Texas so that he could stay close to his family. In the end, everything is for the family.