(Sept. 20, 2000) — University of Kentucky defensive end Matt Layow has been named to the American Football Coaches Association GoodWorks Team for 2000, marking the third consecutive year UK has put a representative on the team. The team honors those athleteswho show exceptional dedication to community service and to the betterment of the communities in which they live.
The two 11-man teams, NCAA Division I-A and a combined team from NCAA Divisions I-AA, II, III, and the NAIA, honorplayers for their dedication and commitment to community service. From 1992-1996, the Good Works Team was selected by theCollege Football Association. When the CFA disbanded in 1997, the AFCA took over the award. The individuals who make upthese teams have a strong appreciation for community involvement and service.
Nominations were submitted to the AFCA by college sports information departments. Nominees had to be actively involvedand committed to working with a charitable organization, service group or other community service activities. Candidates had todisplay sincere concern and reliability, while also having made a favorable impression on the organizations with which they wereinvolved. Athletic ability was not a criteria.
Layow, a senior from Miami, Fla., was chosen because of his involvement in the “Cats That Care” service program. He hasalso been a guest speaker at more than 20 schools and 10 churches around Kentucky and participated in the UK mentor programfor local elementary school students, meeting with a youngster each week to encourage academic success and personal growth. Hehas donated clothes, food, and other items to “Helping Through Him” at Southland Christian Church and at Johnson ElementarySchool. Layows most courageous moment came in 1999 when he saved the life of a neighbors baby who was choking and hadstopped breathing.
“When I was growing up, I had a lot of people do things for me and help me. Now I want to try to ‘give back’ as a way ofthanking the people who helped me. As an athlete, I understand that I now have a platform for doing that,” Layow said. ‘Thesecond thing is that I feel I get as much out of community service as I give. I get a lot of satisfaction in seeing kids faces light up. I’mblessed to receive as much as I give.”
Although athletic ability is not considered for the award, Layow certainly has played well this season. He leads the UKdefensive linemen in tackles with 14. He has five tackles for loss (-31 yards), including three quarterback sacks (-26). He also hasthree fumble recoveries, including the game-winning 21-yard fumble return against Indiana last Saturday.
Layow is the fifth Wildcat chosen for the national Good Works Team, joining previous honorees Leon Smith (1994), Kurt Supe(1996), Jimmy Carter (1998) and Seth Hanson (1999).
