WATCH: Kentucky Wildcats Volunteer at Chris Oats Football Camp

by:Nick Roush•07/25/22•

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The Kentucky Wildcats continue to rally around one of their most beloved teammates, Chris Oats. More than a dozen Kentucky football players traveled to Northern Kentucky Saturday afternoon to participate in the first Chris Oats Football Camp at Beechwood High School.

“It’s very important to us because Chris means a lot to the whole organization,” said DeAndre Square. “It’s real fun to get out here with these kids. These kids showing up means a whole lot to us too, because they’re not only here to have an opportunity to get better, but they’re here for Chris too.”

I’m very happy to see a lot of our players @ChristopherOats football camp. I hear there over 250 kids their. Chris will always be apart of the BBN. Love u buddy.
— CoachMarrowUK (@vincemarrow) July 23, 2022

A few hundred campers ran through drills with the Wildcats Saturday afternoon. A majority of the proceeds from the camp will go to the Chris Oats Foundation. Snappy Tomato Pizza also donated pizza and $1,000 to the foundation that is helping Chris continue to rehab from the stroke he suffered two years ago.

Chris Oats has made significant strides since many of his teammates last saw him at the Citrus Bowl. He spent the last few months at a rehab facility in Florida, surpassing his most significant milestones to date. Now able to talk and shake hands with his teammates, Chris Oats stood up and introduced himself to the kids to kick off the camp.

Not only did the event financially help Oats and his family, the Kentucky linebacker once again felt a part of the team.

“Every time he goes into the locker room, he’s at home,” his mother, Kem Gamble, told the Herald-Leader. “They look over him. They care for him. And I like that, because it’s hard to find that brotherhood out here. And that’s what Kentucky’s about. They meant what they said about being a brotherhood and love. So we thank y’all.”

It’s just another step for Chris Oats on his long road to recovery. The family hopes proceeds from the camp can pay the way for him to return to the rehab facility in Florida. If you’d like to contribute, visit 22OatsStrong.org.