Wheeler: As Art Hains lies in a hospital bed, we should all strive to be a little more like him

It's an understatement to say that the last week has been difficult. My best friend, my role model and my partner in crime has had me watching my phone at all times, waiting for the latest bit of good news.

Art Hains, the "Voice of the Bears" and the legend I have had the honor of sitting next to for two hours a day on Sports Talk for the last two years, is lying in a Kansas City hospital bed with what doctors believe is the West Nile virus.

It all happened so quickly. The last time I talked to him, he was probably defending Patrick Mahomes as the best quarterback in football, trying to talk himself into why Missouri State football would beat Arkansas or trying to find a reason to believe in his beloved Kansas City Royals.

If he wasn't doing that, we were probably laughing, along with producer Abbey Linton, about the joys of life that we've shared together when we weren't on the air. Those are always my favorite parts of every day.

More:As MSU broadcaster Art Hains remains hospitalized, doctors now believe he has West Nile

I miss it. I miss him. I love him. I know he's strong and will fight for the family he loves more than anything with every breath he takes.

As I check my phone for updates and try to go about my everyday life, the only thing I can think about is what Art would do and his unique ability to care about others — even in the darkest of times.

It reminds me that trying to be a little like Art Hains in our daily lives is something we should all strive for.

Many know him for his exciting calls and for being the voice behind the greatest moments in Missouri State history. He brings energy to every little moment. Even if the Bears are trailing and too far behind, he'll still scream "bang!" for a 3-pointer or give a memorable touchdown call.

We should all find a way to appreciate and savor the good moments — whether things are going good or bad.

Art loves his radio show and has put countless hours into each appearance. In recent weeks, he's started leaving Monday shows a little early so he could be more involved with Springfield Little Theatre. It's something his daughter, Kathleen Hains, is involved in and he wants to be there and involved.

If it mattered to his family, it mattered to Art. We should all have that mindset for our loved ones.

Art knows that I have depression and that I have my daily struggles. While I've done the show often on my bad days, he always knew how to pick me up. The next morning, I'd wake up to a "how you doing, bro?" text because that's just who he is.

We should all go out of our way to pick up those we care about.

Sports Talk callers have a reputation in this town. There are some who test my patience and others who I know would be laughed off the radio in other markets. But not this one. Not with Art in charge. He believes that his show isn't his but is the listener's show. No matter how silly some calls are, he treats everyone with the same level of respect and kindness.

Art's level of professionalism and respect for others is something we should all aim for.

Many look up to Art, especially those who want to get involved in broadcasting in this town. He's an icon in the eyes of students and those who just want a chance. Many times over his career, people have asked for an opportunity to sit down with him or help them find a way to get involved. Art has taken time to create opportunities for others whether it's to fill in for a color analyst, by creating internships or by sitting down with them and talking about the business.

We should all attempt to be generous and kind to all who are passionate.

Anyone who listens to his show knows that I'm in there to have fun. If I wasn't having fun, I wouldn't be there. Those two hours a day are the ones that I look forward to every day because I know I'm going to smile and laugh with my friends. Even at my silliest, Art was there to poke fun at it or, for whatever reason, egg it on.

We should remember to always try to have fun.

More than anything in recent days, I've thought about Art's strength during tough times.

I remember back to two times before I joined the show. The first was when legendary caller Alan from Mountain Home was in the hospital before he passed. Art heard what happened and made sure to contact Alan's mother and share his love for her son. Art kept everyone updated on Alan's condition until he passed. Art went out of his way to let a stranger know he cared and honored him in the best ways possible.

The second was when Art's mom passed away in 2018. The strength he showed during a difficult time while calling a Missouri State football game and serving as the Kansas City Chiefs gameday host in the days after was something we all admired. It was therapeutic for him as he lived out the words his mother lived by: "The show must go on."

We should all show Art's strength and care for others, even in our darkest days.

That's what a lot of us who know and love Art are trying to do now.

I've been blessed with the opportunity to sit next to this man for two years and laugh with him every time the microphone was either on or off. Who you hear on the radio is one of the best people you've gotten to know. I promise he's an even better person off of it.

I'm excited for when we can turn that microphone back on, together, again.

The outpouring of love toward Art and his amazing family speaks to the level of impact he's had on this community. Please continue to send your love, prayers and thoughts toward them in what has been a very difficult time.

I'm going to do whatever I can to honor my best friend until we can laugh together upon his return. We'll continue to broadcast Sports Talk with those who love him around us as we try and honor the man and bring a smile to listeners' faces, as he's done for many years.

I'm also going to try and do my best to try to come close to half the person and friend Art has proven to be.

After all, the show must go on.

Wyatt D. Wheeler is a reporter and columnist with the Springfield News-Leader. You can contact him at 417-371-6987, by email at wwheeler@news-leader.com or Twitter at @WyattWheeler_NL. He's also the co-host of Sports Talk on Jock Radio weekdays from 4-6 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: We should all try to be a little more like Art Hains