On a humid Monday morning, Hawaii football player Keli‘i “KK” Padello tasted the salt of his tears.

In a surprise appearance at the end of the Rainbow Warriors’ 15th practice of training camp, Army Lt. Gen. Bryan Fenton addressed the team, then presented a UH football scholarship to Padello, the older brother of rush end Kaimana.

“It’s very rare,” Padello said of his emotional response, “but I started breaking down.”

Coach Nick Rolovich said Padello, who is entering his senior year, is deserving for his diligence as a running back and his contributions to the community. Padello is a specialist in the Army National Guard and a cadet in ROTC.

Rolovich said the scholarship selection was “for all the things he does. His leadership. His hard work. Nobody outworks him. He really cares about being part of this team. He’s done a great job in the classroom. With his work in the National Guard and all the stuff he does in training, he’s done a lot to keep this team together and growing in a positive way.”

Rolovich invited Fenton to make the presentation.

“I was honored to be here,” Fenton said. “Coach asked me to come by and talk about a guy who is a true servant leader, who represents what our military does. It was an honor.”

In addressing the team, Fenton said: “There are two important days of your life: the day you’re born and the day you figure out what you were born to do. (Padello) has figured he was born to serve the state of Hawaii as a National Guard member and a football player for the Warriors. He’s also figured a way to serve his fellow man. I’m really proud of him, and I was just proud to be here.”

Padello said: “That was mind-blowing. I had no idea what was going on. I’m super thankful for the opportunity from Coach.”

Padello was a standout rush end at Mililani High, being named the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s defensive player of the year after amassing 26 sacks in 12 games in 2013. He played a season at Southern Oregon, where he met students in the ROTC program.

“They said it was a good gig,” Padello said. “I called my uncle. He’s a lieutenant colonel now in the Army. He said it’s a good choice. I can’t go wrong.”

Padello said the military fit his goal to “serve and protect, especially those who can’t protect themselves.”

Padello joined the Warriors in 2017, earning the award as the top defensive scout that season. He appeared in one game in 2018. This offseason, he moved from rush end to running back. “I’ve been a little banged up, but I’ll be back soon,” he said.

In practices, he might go against Kaimana Padello. The younger Padello said it was meaningful to watch his brother receive the scholarship.

“That was awesome,” said Kaimana Padello, who also joined the Warriors as a walk-on before being awarded a scholarship last year. “That was something he (strove) for since coming to this school. It’s an accomplishment for himself, and it goes to show how much respect Coach Rolo has for him. He’s a great brother. He taught me a lot of stuff — in football, in life.”