Originally published September 23, 2004 on Kentucky Commerce Cabinet News Digest. 

FRANKFORT, Ky., Sept. 23 – Ramsey Brothers Making History in State Government

            Frankfort, Ky., Sept. 22 — After years of watching his "little" brother receive tons of adulation as a football star for the University of Kentucky and the NFL, Bob Ramsey’s day has come. He currently outranks Derrick Ramsey in Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher’s administration. Together, they’re one of the most powerful brother tandems in the 212-year history of state government.

            As Secretary of the Personnel Cabinet, Bob Ramsey oversees the health and welfare of all state employees. He’s one step higher on the organizational chart than Derrick, who serves as Deputy Secretary to Jim Host in the Commerce Cabinet. They’re the first African-American siblings to hold such high government positions at the same time.

            "As a former football player, I believe strongly in the concept of ‘team’ and so does Bob," said Derrick, who quarterbacked UK’s 1977 team to a 10-1 record and the nation’s No. 6 national ranking. "We both love our jobs, but, as a former football player, I’m used to the criticism more than Bob."

            Derrick, who’s 47, wants it known that Bob is "considerably older." In 1971, when Bob received his bachelor’s degree from Florida A&M, Derrick was starring in football and basketball at Camden High in N.J. After receiving several college scholarship offers, he and teammate Art Still decided to come to UK to play for Fran Curci.

            As juniors in 1976, Ramsey and Still led UK to an 8-3 regular-season record and a 21-0 victory over North Carolina in the Peach Bowl. Their senior team in 1977 remains UK’s best since 1953, when Paul "Bear" Bryant left Lexington for Texas A&M, and the current season.

            The ‘77 team defeated Penn State 24-20 in University Park, LSU 33-13 in Baton Rouge, Georgia 33-0 in Athens, Florida 14-7 in Gainesville, and Tennessee 17-14 in Lexington. Ramsey was named to the All-Southeastern Conference team and made third-team All-American.

            Shifted to tight end by the Oakland Raiders, Derrick played nine years in the NFL, appearing in two Super Bowls (with the winning Raiders in Super Bowl XV in 1981 and the losing New England Patriots in XX in 1986). The same year that Derrick appeared in the Super Bowl with the Patriots, Bob Ramsey received a master’s degree from Webster University in St. Louis University.

            From 1986 through ‘94, Bob Ramsey served in the Air Force, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He then served as executive director for NCAA Marketing before moving to Kentucky to work as a commissioner and director for the Lexington-Fayette County Urban Government.

            After his election last fall, Governor Fletcher named Bob Ramsey to his transition advisory team, then made him Commissioner of Personnel. In June, Ramsey’s agency was elevated to Cabinet status, and Ramsey began one of nine Cabinet Secretarys who report directly to the Governor.

            While Bob was moving up the political ladder, Derrick was pursuing a career in athletics. He worked for several years as a football announcer for the UK network and as an assistant to former UK Athletics Director C.M. Newton. In 1999, he was named athletics director at Kentucky State University, where led a building program designed to make the Thorobreds nationally promiment in all sports.

            In January of this year, Secretary Host, who had admired Ramsey since his playing days, persuaded Derrick to be his Deputy Secretary at the Commerce Cabinet, which oversees 15 agencies including Tourism, State Parks, the State Fair Board, the Center for the Arts, the History Commission, and the Berea Artisan Center.

            Ramsey has oversight and input over all the Cabinet’s agencies, including many administrative responsibilities with the Cabinet’s budget and finances.

            Anytime Derrick wants to brag about his playing exploits — he still ranks among UK’s career leaders in total offense and rushing yardage — his brother Bob can call on Jerry Blanton, Deputy Commissioner of the Parks Department, to set the record straight.

            Blanton, who still holds the UK record for tackles by a non-linebacker, teamed with Still to anchor the ‘77 team’s superb defense, one of the best in the university’s history.