Colorado State University Athletics
RamWire: Gallimore Brothers Return To Place Which Never Left Them
10/31/2019 10:00:00 AM | Football, RamWire
Both to be recognized as first responders at State Pride game
Given a chance, they’d switch into their old uniforms, if just for a moment.
A play, really.
Jason and Justin Gallimore, identical twins in the fabric of Colorado State football lore, would like one more chance to take down an opposing ball carrier. Or, as they did against Air Force back in 2001, have Justin block a punt with Jason completing the play with a scoop-and-score.
Maybe their Border War feat of the year prior, when both scored defensive touchdowns for the Rams in the same game.
“We made it into a couple of trivia books, not because it was a record, but because it was an anomaly,” Jason said. “We really do talk about it, that game comes to mind. It was such a great moment. You really couldn’t substitute it for anything.”
Saturday, as Colorado State University recognizes the military and first responders in the Rams’ State Pride game with UNLV (1:30 p.m.) at Canvas Stadium, both will be on the field representing their new teams – Jason the Poudre Fire Authority, Justin the Fort Collins Police Department – along with former Rams Travis Garcia (PFD) and Dane Stratton (FCPD).
Jason has worked a few games at the new stadium in his role, but for Justin, it will be his first time in CSU’s three-year old home.
“I think it’s going to be wonderful to be out there and experience the noise, the sound, the whole atmosphere again,” Justin said. “I don’t think you ever lose that feeling and that drive and the passion. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
They both arrived a walk-ons from Wheat Ridge, but soon, the community as a whole started to feel like home. Former coach Sonny Lubick isn’t surprised both entered professions which benefit the population, nor the fact they stayed in the area.
“Not at all. As you can attest to, or anybody who met them, they are just special young guys, very special,” Lubick said. “I still have lunch with them once a year, but just the sacrifice they make, one being fireman, the other policeman to put themselves out there. They’re both successful while caring about other people.”
Both explained the teams they serve now are not far removed from Lubick’s squads they played for from 1999-01. There’s the training and strategy, the moment of game day and the depending upon others for the common good. And like a locker room, a fire station (Jason is at Station 10 in town) or the police department, they find a mix of backgrounds all coming together for the common good.
Doing so in Fort Collins just makes it better.
“I think for Justin and I both, sticking around this area was important,” Jason said. “We had opportunities to pursue careers elsewhere, and it seemed like all roads led back to Fort Collins, We really enjoyed the aspect of representing the city. When you play for CSU, you feel like you represent the town and the community, and it’s nice working in the capacity we do now, because you still represent the town and the community, you’re just doing it a little differently, and you wear the uniform of the town and the city. For us, that was a real important aspect.”
You may graduate, but for them, Colorado State never leaves you. The relationship remains intact, regardless of the turning pages of a calendar. Inside the stadium, they run into equipment manager Kris Young and director of football administration Marcie Johnston, and hugs are immediately followed by stories of then and the happenings of now.
When you play for CSU, you feel like you represent the town and the community, and it’s nice working in the capacity we do now, because you still represent the town and the community, you’re just doing it a little differently, and you wear the uniform of the town and the city.Jason Gallimore
Each of them are involved with their new teams carrying on impactful relationships with their former school.
I know from the police department side, I work in a unit (Neighborhood Engagement Team) and we try to reach out to CSU and CSU athletics in building relationships, because we’re all in this together,” Justin said. “From our point of view, we’re trying to help the athletes’ progress beyond their time at school and into the community, and how do we do that. It’s good to have that relationship.”
As brothers at CSU, they were both defensive backs, competing with others and each other for playing time. A brothers in business, they have combined their areas of expertise with Guardian LLC, a company which works with those in the public and private sectors to try to prevent the events which they are to respond to in their everyday lives.
It’s just another way for them to provide assistance to the community which first accepted them, making it hard for either to call another place home.
Saturday, if they’re assigned seats to the game, Justin warns to not be surprised if they find a way onto the field to watch. As a former player, it’s hard to sit up in the stands.
And if you’re driving down the street one day and see a fireman singing Fum’s Song at the top of his lungs, you’ll have met Jason. The start of football season brings it all back, and this weekend, they relish the chance to be on the field once again.
Even in new uniforms, they still represent the city and the university well.
