JOE COX: Ex-Cat Woodyard Fundraising for Community Organization in Friday Golf Scramble
University of Kentucky football fans know what it’s like to see Wesley Woodyard on a mission. As a three-year starter as a team captain, Woodyard was a force at linebacker for the Kentucky defense that turned the team around from struggling to thriving, culminating in a pair of Music City Bowl victories following the 2006 and 2007 regular seasons.
Woodyard’s newest battle is helping children and changing communities. And it is with that goal in mind that he’s turning to another sport in Lexington, with Friday’s 16 Ways Golf Scramble at the University Club. Don’t be surprised if he enlists several of his UK teammates to join him on Friday for an opportunity that offers Kentucky fans a rare chance to get to know some of the team’s living legends.
As for the name of the event, 16 was the uniform number that Woodyard wore when starring as a Wildcat. Woodyard’s 395 tackles at Kentucky are the most since the early 1990s—and given SEC football’s move away from run-heavy offenses, may never be topped by subsequent Wildcats.
After his days in Lexington, Woodyard earned his way to NFL stardom, starting as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos. Six seasons in Denver, with the last two and a half in a starting role, were followed by another six seasons with the Tennessee Titans. Woodyard amassed 951 tackles and 28 sacks in the NFL.
Woodyard retired after the 2019 season, but that just freed him up to follow a new passion, one that he’ll be benefitting on Friday.
“It takes a village to raise a child,” said Woodyard, “so we’re trying to find that village of people.”
His foundation not only benefits Lexington children, but also reaches out on a broader scale, forging partnerships with Scholastic which allows for national book donations to children.
When Woodyard talks about childhood literacy, the hard-charging linebacker isn’t lurking far beneath his calm attitude.
“There are kids nowadays that can grow up without a book in their home,” he stated. “We’ve been able to change that. We’ve been able to give kids their first book, and to see them excited and smiling because of a book, that touches me more than any kid coming to a football camp.”
The golf scramble will begin at 8:00 on Friday morning at the University Club at 4850 Leestown Road in Lexington. Spots in the event are available for $125 individually or $500 for a four-person team, and additional details can be found at https://www.16ways.org/golfscramble.
Joe Cox is contributing editor for KySportsStyle.com Magazine. He grew up in Letcher County and Bell County and has written or co-written nine books. His most recent, "A Fine Team Man: Jackie Robinson and the Lives He Changed," was released in February 2019 and can be ordered on Amazon or at many local bookstores. Joe is an attorney and lives in Logan County with his wife and children. You can reach him at jrcox004@gmail.com.
