Wesley Woodyard
His football playing days are over but that is not stopping former Kentucky star Wesley Woodyard from trying to continue to find ways to help youngsters make their dreams come true. That’s why he is having a golf scramble July 23 at the University Club of Kentucky to raise funds for 16Ways Foundation, a program dedicated to encouraging young people through education, physical activity, and mentorship.
That’s why “Changing Lives One Putt at a Time” is the slogan for the charity golf scramble, the third one Woodyard has hosted in Lexington.
“We are still looking for sponsors, teams, or even single players,” Woodyard said. “Cost is $500 per team and the money is used to put into programs in Lexington, Colorado, Georgia. I want to continue to help kids.”
The foundation name comes from the number 16 Woodyard wore playing high school football in LaGrange, Ga., and then at UK where he had 395 tackles, including 139 his senior season in 2007.
Woodyard played seven years with the Denver Broncos after signing as an undrafted free agent. In 2014 he signed a four-year, $15.75 million contract with Tennessee and played six years before retiring after the 2019 season.
“Me and my cousin understand it takes more than one person in a child’s life to help dreams come true,” Woodyard said. “That’s something my cousin did for me. I didn’t forget that. That’s why we have a lot of great mentorship programs. We want to make a positive change in kids’ lives and believe our foundation members have to be the ones to help make change possible.”
Woodyard hopes former UK teammates like quarterback Andre Woodson, receiver Keenan Burton, tight end Jacob Tamme and receiver Dicky Lyons Jr. might play in the event along with other celebrities.
“People don’t care who you are at a golf scramble. They just want to know if you can hit the ball and carry the team,” Woodyard joked. “I am trying to see who all is available to maybe play and see if they can help raise money to help kids who might just need an extra boost to make their dreams come true.”
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If you would like to play in the golf tournament or be a tournament sponsor, go to https://www.16ways.org/. There is also a donation tab at the website if you would like to contribute even if you cannot play golf.
“All the money is accounted for. We just want to help kids,” Woodyard said.
