LIBERTY CENTER, Ohio — In the village of Liberty Center, there's a motto: "Small town, Big Heart."
Despite the high school having a rich and prideful history when it comes to football, one man stood out from the rest.
Kent Spiess embodied Tiger pride to the fullest.
"He was Liberty Center football," said former head coach Rex Lingruen.
For nearly 30 years, Spiess and the team were inseparable. An unmatched loyalty loomed large with his presence.
"I remember shaking his hand all the time for good luck and we'd always talk just a little bit," Lingruen said. "He had a heart of gold."
He was introduced to Spiess, who used a wheelchair, in 1997. Their relationship got jumpstarted through a popcorn stand.
"My parents used to pop popcorn after school and they would get him to come down," Spiess' father, Kenny Spiess said. "Then, he'd go over to the locker room with the boys."
That same season, Liberty Center won its first state championship 49-8 over Amanda-Clearcreek. During the team photo afterward, Tiger player Ryan Zeiter brought Spiess over to include him in the celebration.
"He was a part of us. The '97, '98 and '99 classes all took Kent in," Zeiter said. "Even got to the point where we would put tape on our wrists and write 'Kent Spiess' on it, which served as motivation for us."
Spiess was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and began needing a wheelchair at eight years old. Unable to walk or stand, football never came to be for him. Yet, he still found a way to enjoy the gridiron.
"A big part of our team. Even though he couldn't play, he was a member of our team all the way through," Lingruen said. "Every kid loved him and everyone looked up to him."
When Spiess reached high school, his role took on a whole new level. Awarded the No. 51 jersey, he served as member of the team all four years. Practices, games and team meals all became a part of his routine. In his senior season, Spiess served as honorary captain against Archbold.
Following graduation, his pride remained on the field as he attended every game he could to support the Tigers from the west end zone.
"With the football team taking him in and him being such a big staple to Liberty Center football, he pushed them forward even if they were having a bad day or bad game," his sister, Kristen Spiess, said. "Kent would always be there cheering them on no matter what, he was still their fan."
Sometimes, Spiess could be brutally honest to the team, according to his family.
"He'd even tell them to take their skirts off and go play football," Kenny Spiess said.
His spirit resonated throughout the community. But on April 19, Spiess' battle came to an end at the age of 38 years old.
"He never complained about it, he just enjoyed being around everyone," Kenny Spiess said. "He fought all the way to the end."
Initially, doctors told the family that he would only live into his early teens. Instead, Spiess defied the odds and redefined strength.
Although many will miss seeing him on the sidelines, the impact of Spiess will forever push forward.
"He always sat beside of us in the endzone, that'll be tough to do now," Kent's mother Diane Spiess said. "But I know his spirit will be here and we will too."
In a full circle moment, Liberty Center High School advanced to the OHSAA State Championship game in December of 2023. Despite a narrow defeat, multiple seniors went to visit Spiess a few weeks later and offered him a signed football.
The program is discussing ways to honor him this upcoming season in the fall of 2024.