JONESBORO -- Brad Grupe had a particular request when he took his family to Disney World many years ago. The Grupes were staying at Disney's All-Star Village, a sports-themed hotel, and he wanted their room to be near the goalposts that stood outside.
Grupe, a former college kicker at Southeast Missouri State, says kicking "was always the backup plan" for his son, Blake. But if he could nudge Blake just a little bit, he figured it was worth it.
Grupe doesn't hesitate when acknowledging his son has far surpassed him in the kicking game -- the Sedalia, Mo.