Kentucky Football Kicks Off Summer with Team Bonding Competitions

It’s Summer Workout SZN for the Kentucky football team. They don’t spend all of their time in the weight room and running sprints.

Each week, Dean Hood hosts a 4 for 40 team bonding workshop. The program was started by our good friend, Freddie Maggard, during his time as the Director of Player Development. Each Wednesday, they’ll hear from a guest speaker, enjoy a team meal, then participate in a group activity.

Former college athlete C.L. Shepherd delivered the opening motivational message of the summer. Once the Cats shared a meal, they had fun with a few friendly competitions.

Judging from the following video, I loved one event and hated another. The “water transport” looked like something from a Survivor challenge, except more tedious. That’s a no for me, Dog. However, I very much enjoyed watching the Kentucky football team play volleyball between the goalposts. That’s good, clean fun.

Having fun competing 😺 pic.twitter.com/GNrPc8hSTa

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) June 5, 2025

You may think these are just silly games. Rival fanbases are quick to poke fun. Over the spring, we learned that these silly little games pay dividends when it matters.

Safety Ty Bryant shared the biggest differences between this Kentucky football offseason and the last.

“We did the same thing last year, but there was something different this year,” said Bryant. “Everybody wanted to win and there was fight. Last year, it just wasn’t that. People were complaining, ‘When can I go home? When can I leave?’ This year, everybody was cheering each other on. It was a real competition. I feel like things like that will get us over the hump. Things like that create good bonds and good chemistry.”

It’s easier to make big changes when you do the little things the right way. Hopefully, the Kentucky football program is taking another step in the right direction.

I beat them 4 games straight in horse. https://t.co/KJDCAxXEBn

— CoachMarrowUK (@vincemarrow) June 5, 2025

Want more Kentucky football intel? Join KSR Plus for the most comprehensive coverage of the Cats on the internet. With a KSR membership, you get access to bonus content and KSBoard, KSR’s message board, to chat with fellow Cats fans and get exclusive scoop.