It’s about power, respect, hustle and heart Dedication is a must If you all ain’t got that part Then your soul is weak, meek for Wildcats We’re about to get it popping like Joker from way back (from Steve Johnson’s pre-game motivational rap) His game-winning touchdown catches against Louisville and Louisiana State have helped Kentucky shock the college football world. But it is Steve Johnson’s skills as a freestyle rapper that rock the UK locker room before games.

After the team prayer and after Rich Brooks has spoken his final words to his team, the senior receiver from San Francisco will usually rise to address his team. Says Johnson: “Usually, Christian Johnson (the UK guard who is not related to Steve), he’ll say ‘let’s get it popping like Joker from way back.’ ‘C’mon, Steve. C’mon, Steve.’ And I get up and just start up. The guys tell me when to start.” Johnson’s role as hip-hop motivator began before last season’s Music City Bowl.

“We had the bowl coming up, and I was like, ‘How can I shake the team up and get everybody ready?’ ” Johnson said. “Then I thought, a rap, that would be pretty original. So I ended up saying that (before) the Music City Bowl.

And the guys seemed to like it.” It’s way more than touchdowns, sacks and field goals, y’all We got to study, do our work and live strong UK will live on, but now we’re here It’s our turn, we’re about to take over for this year Not only have the 2007 Kentucky Wildcats proved unusually adept at winning football games. They’re a creative bunch, too. Safety Marcus McClinton’s song We Believe has become the theme of Kentucky football.