Wesley Woodyard named to 2023 SEC Football Legends Class

A star of the Rich Brooks era at Kentucky is being recognized as one of the best in the Southeastern Conference. Wesley Woodyard was named to the 2023 SEC Football Legends class on Thursday. The former linebacker (2004-07) from La Grange, Georgia is Kentucky’s representative in the group of players who excelled on the gridiron and helped write the history of their sport at their institution. He and 13 others will be honored at events surrounding the SEC Football Championship in Atlanta in December.

Woodyard led Kentucky in tackles three of his four years in Lexington and was named First Team All-SEC twice. The leader of Kentucky’s defense, he totaled 395 tackles in his career, including an SEC-high 139 as a senior. He led the team in tackles in Music City Bowl wins over Clemson and Florida State. He also excelled off the field, making the SEC Academic Honor Roll and being named a member of the prestigious UK Athletics Society of Character.

Woodyard was not drafted but spent 12 years in the NFL with Denver and Tennessee, including a Super Bowl appearance with the Broncos. He was named a team captain each of his 12 years in the NFL and the Titans’ Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2017. Woodyard, a member of the UK Athletics Hall of Fame and the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame, now works for the NFL Players Association.

2023 SEC Football Legends Class

• Alabama: Andre Smith, Offensive Tackle, 2006-08
• Arkansas: Dick Bumpas, Defensive Tackle, 1968-70
• Auburn: Ed King, Offensive Lineman, 1988-90
• Florida: Shane Matthews, Quarterback, 1990-92
• Georgia: Knowshon Moreno, Running Back, 2007-08
• Kentucky: Wesley Woodyard, Linebacker, 2004-07
• LSU: James Britt, Defensive Back, 1979-82
• Ole Miss: Patrick Willis, Linebacker, 2003-06
• Mississippi State: Reggie Kelly, Tight End, 1995-98
• Missouri: Chase Coffman, Tight End, 2005-08
• South Carolina: Marcus Lattimore, Running Back, 2010-12
• Tennessee: Joey Kent, Wide Receiver, 1992-96
• Texas A&M: Ray Childress, Defensive Lineman, 1981-84
• Vanderbilt: Jamie Winborn, Linebacker, 1998-2000

Take advantage of the KSR+ MADNESS & MIZZOU SPECIAL to get bonus coverage of Big Blue Madness and Kentucky vs. Missouri, including live game threads, practice reports, an in-depth scouting report, and the latest recruiting intel. 50% off the annual price or $1 for 1 month.

Remember that time Woodyard saved a father and son from an overturned car?

While we’re celebrating Wesley Woodyard, let me take you back in time, two and a half years ago. Woodyard was driving down Highway 27 when a car going in the opposite direction flipped over. He sprang into action and pulled a father and his son out of the car to safety.

Today I was driving on HW US 27 when a car driving the opposite direction of me flipped over. My hero mode kicked in. Next thing I know I’m pulling the dad out and crawling through the car to pull his son out of the car seat. Man that was scary.

— Wesley Woodyard (@WoodDro52) February 13, 2021

Just one of many good deeds by the Lumberjack, who famously made a two-year-old Detroit Lions fan’s day back in 2016.