Build the Statue: Leslie County to honor Tim Couch

Before Tim Couch set numerous passing records at the University of Kentucky and in the SEC ultimately becoming a Heisman Trophy finalist and No. 1 overall pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 1999 NFL Draft, the Bluegrass native was a multi-sport start at Hyden (Ky.) Leslie County. The star quarterback was one of the best athletes to ever come out of Eastern Kentucky.

Now the 46-year-old will be getting a special honor at his alma mater. WYMT’s Jack Demmler is reporting that Leslie County High School will honor Couch with a life-size statue.

“Being around the teams and the younger kids and seeing that they have sort of lost touch with their heritage, the past and the rich tradition we have here,” said Allen Rice who is the creator of The Eagles Nest alumni club. “We wanted a way to preserve that and one of our favorite segments on our shows is Leslie County Legends. There’s no bigger Leslie County Legend than Tim Couch.”

“It’s a big deal. Not just for Leslie County but all of Eastern Kentucky and Kentucky as a whole.”

Rice’s club and other private donors are currently working on putting together the funds to build the statue. The current plan is to unveil the statue during the 2024 football season.

During his time at Leslie County, Tim Couch set national high school records at the time for completions (872), passing yards (12,104), and passing touchdowns (132). Couch brought home Mr. Football honors in 1995 and scored over 3,000 points as a high school basketball player. The star quarterback picked Kentucky over Tennessee and would throw for 8,435 yards 74 touchdowns during his three-year career in Lexington leading the Wildcats to a New Year’s Day bowl game in 1998 before departing for the NFL.

Couch has received numerous honors at the University of Kentucky and will now get a big-time honor at Leslie County High School.