Kentucky's NFL Stars return to Kroger Field for Season Opener

The stars were out tonight at Kroger Field. With the NFL season not kicking off for another week, some former Cats returned to their Old Kentucky Home. Josh Hines-Allen, Will Levis, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Ray Davis were all at Kroger Field tonight to see the Cats beat Southern Miss 31-0 over two and a half quarters of play (thanks, Mother Nature).

The NFL Cats were spotted around town throughout the day and recognized during a timeout in the first half to thunderous applause (too soon for a weather joke?).

NFL Cats!!

Josh Allen, Ray Davis, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Will Levis all make an appearance at Kroger Field pic.twitter.com/DntBE3aUIf

— UK Sports Network (@UKSportsNetwork) September 1, 2024

Hines-Allen, the senior member of the group, is entering his sixth season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who kick off the 2024 campaign at Miami (9/8, 1 p.m. ET). In April, he signed a new five-year, $150 million contract with the Jags, making him one of the highest-paid players in the NFL. Earlier this summer, he announced he was changing his last name from Allen to Hines-Allen to honor his maternal family, which includes several proud athletes.

Levis is also doing pretty well for himself. In his rookie year, he took over the starting quarterback job with the Tennessee Titans and is now one of the faces of the franchise, which hired former Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan as head coach during the offseason. The Titans begin the season at Chicago (9/8, 1 p.m. ET).

Levis’ former right-hand man Wan’Dale Robinson is about to kick off his third season in the league with the New York Giants. After missing most of his rookie season with a torn ACL, Robinson rebounded in his second year, totaling 60 catches for 525 yards and a receiving touchdown, along with nine rushes for 87 yards and a rushing touchdown. The Giants host the Minnesota Vikings to start the season (9/8, 1 p.m. ET).

After a record-setting year at Kentucky, Ray Davis was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the NFL Draft in April. In the preseason, he totaled 13 carries for 60 yards. The Bills kick off the season vs. the Cardinals (9/8, 1 p.m. ET).

Kentucky Men’s Basketball enjoys the game

There were some basketball stars in the house too. The men’s basketball team took in the game from the front rows of the student section after waiting in the rain to get into the stadium with Big Blue Nation.

The weather didn’t dampen many moods tonight. The BBN turned the two-hour delay into a party, as captured by our Steven Peake.

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