Five-Star OT Recruit Leads His High School Team On The Field Carrying A Waffle House Flag Following CEO’s Passing

That's how you honor a legend. Waffle House CEO Walt Ehmer passed away this past week at just 58 years old. The diner chain announced in a statement that their longtime-CEO passed away last Saturday following a battle with pancreatic cancer: "Today, we honor the life and legacy of our beloved leader, Walt Ehmer. His dedication, warmth, and vision shaped Waffle House into the community we cherish today. Walt’s impact extends far beyond our restaurants – he touched countless lives with his kindness and unwavering commitment to our Waffle House family. His spirit will forever be a part of everything we do. Walt- You will be missed, but never forgotten." Ehmer started with Waffle House in the purchasing department in 1992, and worked his way up the ranks before being appointed president in 2006 and CEO in 2012. Since his passing, plenty of tributes to Ehmer have come pouring in, including one that went viral on TikTok from a woman who had an interaction with the CEO that stuck out to her after all these years: https://twitter.com/GAFollowers/status/1834591864848277772 And last night, a high school football standout decided to pay tribute to the Waffle House legend under the Friday night lights. Jackson Cantwell, a junior offensive tackle for Nixa High School in Missouri is the #1 offensive lineman in the class of 2026, and already has offers from schools like Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan and many others. And Cantwell ran onto the field last night carrying a Waffle House flag in honor of Ehmer. https://twitter.com/MikeRoach247/status/1834742428416237625 Of course Waffle House is based in Georgia, so if the Bulldogs want a leg up on the competition on the recruiting trail, I think they know where to take Cantwell.