K-State football long snapper keeps leading victory celebrations ... with the band

Randen Plattner is more than just a long snapper for the Kansas State football team.

The 6-foot-3 senior from Parkville, Missouri, is also a leader on special teams, a respected veteran in the locker room and the life of the party whenever it is time to celebrate a big win.

He reminded everyone about that last title after K-State defeated KU 31-27 on Saturday by climbing onto a ladder in front of the school’s marching band. He then proceeded to wave his arms back and forth as if he was the musical conductor.

It wasn’t a planned celebration. But the Wildcats had a feeling that somehow, someway, they were going to see Plattner and his long red mullet standing out in the crowd after they won that game.

“Charismatic guy, old Randen,” K-State football coach Chris Klieman said. “It was not surprising. I don’t know if they asked him to go up there or if he moved (the band director) aside and said, ‘It’s my turn to lead this band.’ That’s Randen. Didn’t he do that last year, too? He just wanted his one shining moment.”

Plattner has a knack for celebrating in unique ways after K-State wins, especially when a band is involved.

Last year, he convinced an Oklahoma band member to let him parade around the field with a sousaphone after the Wildcats pulled off a memorable road upset against the Sooners. He also managed to conduct the K-State band following a home victory over the Jayhawks.

How and why does this keep happening?

Plattner likes to say those opportunities “fell in my lap” over the years. On Saturday, it was simply an impromptu idea between K-State band director Frank Tracz and Plattner.

“I made eye contact with Doctor Tracz and he immediately started getting down and waved me up,” Plattner said. “So it was a spur of the moment kind of thing. It was pretty fun.”

That is probably an understatement. It looked like he was having the time of his life up there.

“I was just trying to show them some love and support,” Plattner said of the marching band. “They work so hard for us. Chris Klieman talks about it all the time. I just wanted to have some fun with it.”

That kind of celebration is hardly specific to K-State. Other college football players from other teams have been standing in as musical conductors for years.

What makes it special for Plattner is that he is not a well-known star. This isn’t Peyton Manning leading the Tennessee band after an emotional rivalry win. This is a former walk-on who has barely recorded any stats (two career tackles) while playing in 58 games for the Wildcats.

But he is an excellent long snapper and he is one of the more popular players on the roster because of his outgoing personality.

“He is always the first one up there on that band pedestal,” K-State quarterback Will Howard said. “I think he did it last year, too. It honestly did not surprise me at all.”

“He’s a great senior and he’s a great leader,” K-State receiver Phillip Brooks said. “With Special Teams U being what it is for us and him being a specialist that allows us to push for that leadership. I would also say he is the life of the party.”

Plattner has a deep appreciation for marching bands, because he used to be in one. Back when he was in middle school, Plattner says he was a member of the drum line and had to choose between band and football when he entered high school.

He thinks he made the right choice, but he never turned his back on music.

Plattner will play in his final regular-season game with the Wildcats on Saturday when they host Iowa State at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. It’s possible that K-State will then play in the Big 12 championship game. It will definitely end the year in a bowl.

That gives him a few more chances to be at the center of another wild celebration. Plattner says he doesn’t have anything planned, but no one will be surprised if he produces another fun moment.