Chris Oats has returned home following medical emergency

by:Jack Pilgrim•10/10/20

Facebook: Sosa Keilan Woods-Hernandez

Kentucky linebacker Chris Oats is home.

After dealing with a serious medical issue that left him in the hospital back in May, followed by months spent in a physical rehabilitation facility, Oats’ family members confirmed the junior linebacker has returned home.

His brother, Sosa Keilan Woods-Hernandez, posted a picture of Oats back home with the caption, “Our circle is back stronger than ever.”

https://www.facebook.com/keilan.t.woods/posts/3481799481881809

He also took to Twitter to announce that Oats had officially returned home.

His sister, KeAirra Oats, also posted the following pictures on Facebook with the caption, “Guess who’s home.”

https://www.facebook.com/keairra.oats.3/posts/2436335803334920

While neither Oats’ family nor the University of Kentucky have publicly confirmed any specifics of the medical issue, they have partnered together to raise money for the junior linebacker’s medical bills with the “Oats Strong” campaign, one that has raised over $25,000 thus far. 

Beyond the donations, Kentucky has begun a weekly tradition for the season with players wearing No. 22 in honor of Oats.

Linebacker DeAndre Square wore No. 22 in the season-opener at Auburn, followed by tight end Keaton Upshaw sporting the number in Week 2 against Ole Miss. Linebacker Jamin Davis is set to wear No. 22 against Mississippi State.

“We are going to recognize (UK linebacker) Chris Oats and have a player each week wear his number in honor of Chris, starting with DeAndre Square, who would normally be playing side-by-side with him as the two inside linebackers,” Stoops prior to Kentucky’s game against Auburn. “(Tight end) Keaton Upshaw is his roommate and wants to wear it and honor him for the first home game. Those are the first two we have set and from there we will alternate his number to honor him and show him he’s still with us and we’re thinking about him.”

“We’re just doing everything we can to still honor Chris and keep him in the back of our minds,” Davis said in a recent interview with BBN Tonight.

Time for the Wildcats to earn their first victory of the season.

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