In Memoriam
EARN A CSU MBA
Khalid Hurst
Thousand Oaks & Santa Barbara
1976-2013
Football Player, Loyal Friend, Generous Spirit eople are saying that
COURTESY
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BY M A R K M . A LVA R A D O
the smile on Khalid Ansaar Hurst could mend a broken heart and that you could hear him before you would see him walk into a room. The way he lit up a party was infectious to say the least. But mostly it is his generosity and loyalty to his friends and family that stand out. It’s been said that Khalid Ansaar Hurst was one of the greatest football players to ever play for the Santa Barbara High School Dons. But the number of touchdowns and yards rushed could never match the love he carried in his heart. There was also a level of confidence and bravery that made him very attractive. His opinion was always backed up with a loud shout and a well-trained laugh, a trait developed in his beloved Eastside neighborhood. His vibration promoted the spirit of what it really means to be born and raised in Santa Barbara. His soul was genuine, and essentially, he was a natural A NATURAL: The touchdowns and yards rushed by celeat whatever he touched. brated Dons football player Khalid Hurst could never match Being the son of a Mexicanthe love he carried in his heart. His vibration promoted the spirit of what it means to be born and raised in Santa American mother and AfricanBarbara, and he was a natural at whatever he touched. American father proved to be a valuable fusion of cultures for Khalid. He celebrated his diversity through his sons for SBCC and could have played at the ability to touch every level of society. He could next level. But he opted to stay home rooting for be on Haley Street checking on the welfare of the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco Giants. an old friend or at a mansion in Montecito Khalid was a star in his hometown, a true talent toasting with a bunch of strangers who swear who could run 40 yards in 4.5 seconds. He was they saw him acting in a Hollywood movie. Mr. Excitement and will no doubt be inducted Either way, he would always put that famous into the Dons football Hall of Fame. grin on his face and raise his beautiful chin at The Earth could not hold the spirit of Khalid you, acknowledging that he loved you. Kha- Hurst any longer, and he died riding his motorlid believed that by keeping it real, all things cycle after he gave his helmet to his passenger. could be accomplished and celebrated with no He came to us with a golden heart that was full regrets. of emotion and determination. He was rooted His competitive nature took him mountain- deeply in Santa Barbara’s old-school memorabike racing, snowboarding, hiking in the Utah bilia. His father, Charles, was brother to another desert, and some say he was on his way to Dons legend, Grady Hurst. His passing has left become a scratch golfer. If you saw him walk- us with so many great memories of him on ing down the street, you would have thought he the field. But his personality and love is what was some kind of celebrity vacationing in Santa he gave to Santa Barbara. He was the perfect Barbara. He had that natural quality about him. example of everything we exemplified as local But he was grounded by a deep emotional con- kids who grew up with the dream of wearing nection with his mother, Christine Palacio, and the olive and gold colors of the Dons. constantly humbled by the collection of true They say legends are born, not made, and friends that he shared his life with. this holds true for our brother Khalid Hurst, a You might remember Khalid from San one-of-a-kind individual heart who wore his Roque School, Cleveland Elementary, Santa emotions on his chest. He was an individual Barbara Junior High, or the Eastside Boys & who touched so many people with his positive Girls Club. But it was on the football field at spirit. But knowing Khalid is to celebrate life by Peabody Stadium that he came away as one of bumping some music, barbecuing, and toasting the best running backs in Santa Barbara High’s your cup; that’s how Khalid would have wanted storied history. A 1994 All-CIF selection, he it for sure. was a special player and one of the Dons’ most A memorial service will be held Friday, athletic football players ever, according to his August 30, at 10 a.m., at Our Lady of Sorrows ■ coach Lito Garcia. He went on to play two sea- Church.
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THE INDEPENDENT
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