As a football player at Whiteland Community High School, Kevin Starnes was known for his athletic ability on the field and his positive attitude in the locker room.
Starnes was one of the players who bought into his coach’s motto, asking players what they are selling with their attitude and outlook, Whiteland Warriors football coach Darrin Fisher said.
“He sold something positive everyday,” Fisher said.
Starnes, 21, was killed in a motorcycle accident early Sunday morning.
Just after 5 a.m., Needham firefighters driving to the fire station noticed in the dense fog that a motorcycle was off the road near County Road 300N and County Road 500E.
Starnes was lying on the ground next to the motorcycle, and emergency workers began doing CPR, according to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office news release.
Starnes died at the scene.
The sheriff’s office is investigating the accident. Starnes was heading north on County Road 500E, crossed County Road 300N and then went off the road and into the tree, the release said. The area was foggy at the time, the release said.
Starnes had played for Fisher for his entire football career, from youth league through high school, Fisher said.
As a defensive back, Starnes racked up tackles with his strong athletic ability and his love of the contact part of the game, Fisher said.
“You couldn’t make it too hard for Kevin Starnes,” Fisher said.
But it was his attitude off the field that really sticks with his former coach.
“He was one of those kids that made coaching high school sports fun,” Fisher said.
“He enjoyed being a part of it.”
Starnes was a happy person with a positive outlook. He enjoyed school, playing football and being with his teammates, Fisher said.
“You couldn’t really be around Kevin and be negative,” Fisher said.
After graduating, Starnes stayed in touch, visiting his former school as many players often do, Fisher said.
The loss of Starnes is a shame, with his attitude and his work ethic, which led him to always do the work needed to help him succeed, he said.
“We need more people like that,” Fisher said.