UK's Godby surprised with 'Good Works' award

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Amid a steady stream of recent news about athletes behaving badly came a refreshing reminder Tuesday that there are still some using their platform for good. University of Kentucky offensive lineman Max Godby stood before a room full of people in need of hope at the Catholic Action Center, a Lexington homeless shelter, and offered some.

"Tell me what your community needs," he said, pledging the support of an entire football team. "Let us help you. What do you need from us? Talk to me about that. If you've got prayer requests, come and talk to me. I'll pray with you. I love praying for people. I love people. Whatever you all need, we are here to serve you."

That was a perfect moment for UK coach Mark Stoops, athletic director Mitch Barnhart, several other representatives of the football program and Godby's mother to pop out of a back room and surprise him. Godby, a senior from Louisville, thought he was just making one of his normal visits to the shelter, but he was actually there to learn he's one of only 11 Football Bowl Subdivision players from around the country selected to the 2014 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

"I really had no idea what was going on. It was a very overwhelming feeling. I'm still kind of trying to process what just happened," said Godby, who received a plaque and will be honored at halftime of the Sugar Bowl in January. "It's cool to see the recognition, but more importantly I think it's great to see that there's an issue in this community and people are finally taking (notice) and see that we can do something to help out."

Godby created the "Bucks for Backpacks" program that has already provided more than 150 homeless men and women with basic necessities such as clothing, toiletries, food and water.

"What you and me would consider just average, everyday stuff but brings dignity to them," Godby said.

He enlisted the help of his UK teammates, who spent a day stuffing backpacks with items for the shelter.

"There's a desire on our team to do outreach," he said. "They said, 'We just want to help.' That was awesome to see from my teammates."

Godby, a Christian Academy of Louisville alum, was the first walk-on Stoops awarded a scholarship as the Wildcats' new coach last fall. Godby played in seven games last season and started against Florida at left guard in 2013. He's also made the SEC Academic Honor Roll the last three years and was named to the UK Athletics Society of Character last year.

"It didn't take us long to realize how special Max was," said Stoops, who wanted a more positive program culture and credits Godby with helping affect that change. "He goes above and beyond — in our community, on our campus, in our locker room. He is a standout. We just appreciate all his hard work and his positive energy. He has a big heart."

And he left the homeless shelter Tuesday with a big award, to big applause. The community he's given a helping hand returned the favor. They erupted in a "Go Big Blue" chant for him as Godby got his big surprise.

Kyle Tucker can be reached at (502) 582-4361. Follow him on Twitter @KyleTucker_CJ.