Vicky Graff Photo
As of Monday the Kentucky football team has not talked about any kind of special pregame social justice message before the Cats open the season Saturday at Auburn.
“The things we’ve (already) done we are proud of,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said.
However, Kentucky is going to do one thing that I think every Kentucky fan should be proud of and have no problem at all with what Stoops’ Cats are doing.
“We are going to recognize (UK linebacker) Chris Oats and have a player each week wear his number in honor of Chris, starting with DeAndre Square this week, who would normally be playing side-by-side with him as the two inside linebackers,” Stoops said.
Oats was a big part of UK’s defense last year and was expected to be a potential star this year. However, it was disclosed in June that he had a serious medical issue and then later moved to a rehab facility.
Stoops and UK did not share any specifics about Oats’ condition but the UK coach said during the summer that the team would find a way to honor Oats this season and now they have.
“(Tight end) Keaton Upshaw is his roommate and wants to wear it and honor him for the first home game,” Stoops said. “Those are the first two we have set and from there we will alternate his number to honor him and show him he’s still with us and we’re thinking about him.”
Job well done Coach.
