Oct. 25, 2003
WACO, Texas - Baylor University President Dr. Robert Sloan, along with a four-person committee, officially kicked off a fundraising drive for former Bear football player Kyle Woods during a press conference Saturday on Grant Teaff Plaza at Floyd Casey Stadium.
Woods sustained an injury during a 1979 practice at Floyd Casey Stadium that rendered him a quadriplegic. Since his injury, Woods has lived in the same Dallas house. However, his former teammates, coaches and friends have come together to build him a new home.
"Speaking on behalf of all of Kyle's former teammates and friends, we would like to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who is making this dream a reality," said Radar Holt, who lettered for the Bears from 1978-80 and was a teammate of Woods. "Kyle Woods is one of those rare individuals, who, despite the obstacles that life has placed in front of him, has always maintained his faith in God and continues to inspire others through his kind and gentle spirit. For this, we, his former teammates, coaches, and friends, have pledged to make his life as comfortable and rewarding as possible."
A steering committee that includes L.M. Dyson, Scott Smith, Grant Teaff and Holt, was formed to oversee the design and construction of a house that would afford Kyle and his caregivers full accessibility. In 2002, Dr. Sloan and Baylor's Vice President for Financial Affairs, David Brooks, met with the committee and encouraged the committee to go forward pledging that the University would provide $60,000 to this worthy project.
Three-time Baylor All-America linebacker Mike Singletary said of Woods, "Some things change, friendships never do. Kyle has been there for us, his teammates, and we will always be there for him."
A noted Baylor professor, Dyson has worked with Kyle and the architects to design a home in a wonderful neighborhood that will be fully accessible for Woods and his caregivers. Dyson will serve as the construction coordinator and will be in charge of gift-in-kind gifts for the project.
"It has been a pleasure to work with Kyle in developing the plans for this house, and it is my honor to coordinate the construction project and to be a part of doing something special for one who has done so much for others," Dyson said.
As a 19-year-old sophomore defensive back from Dallas, Woods was a member of the scout team defense working against the second team offense. While making a tackle, Kyle fractured his neck and severely damaged his spinal cord. Because of Kyle's faith, determination, and positive attitude, he became an inspiration to his teammates and coaches during the 1979 Peach Bowl champion season and the undefeated 1980 Southwest Conference championship campaign.
At the end of the 1979 season, his teammates dedicated the Bears' game against Clemson to their fallen teammate. Baylor's captains proclaimed at the Peach Bowl's pre-game press conference that the Bears would win the game for Woods, and Teaff's team responded with a 24-18 victory over the heavily favored Tigers.
"We will never be able to repay Kyle for the inspiration and dedication he gave us, as people and as a football team in 1979 and 1980," said Smith, who like Holt, was a teammate of Woods at Baylor. "Kyle continues to inspire us all by the way he lives his life today."
The following year, Baylor won its first seven games before San Jose State knocked off the No. 10-ranked Bears in Waco, 30-22. The next week, prior to Baylor's nationally televised game against Arkansas, in a pre-game speech to his teammates, Woods encouraged his teammates to, "Turn a setback into a comeback."
The Bears steamrolled the Razorbacks, 42-15, and went on to win their first Southwest Conference title since 1974 and finish with a perfect 8-0 record in league play. Teaff's squad went 10-2 in 1980, and the 10 victories still ranks as a school record.
Though confined to a wheelchair today, Woods has completed his education and serves as a counselor at a university in his hometown. In the years since his injury, Kyle has remained a constant inspiration to all who come in contact with him. He has never complained or blamed. With his beautiful smile and positive attitude, he touches lives each day.
"Words are inadequate to express what I feel," Woods said. "Baylor, my teammates, and my coaches have always been there when I needed them. When I was injured, my family lived in an upstairs apartment, Coach Teaff and others acquired us a small home in South Dallas.
"Even that house was a fulfillment of my dream of going to college to make money to build my family a home," Woods added. "But now, that seemingly farfetched dream is going to be a reality, because of Dr. Sloan, my teammates, coaches, and friends that I don't even know. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Contributions may be made to: The Kyle Woods Trust, C/O Allen Sykes, Extraco Banks, N.A., P.O. Box 8724, Waco, Texas, 76710.
"Many individuals across America will want to join Kyle's teammates, coaches and friends in making his dream come true," said Teaff.
