Kenneth Horsey, a senior offensive lineman from the University of Kentucky, has been named the 2022-23 Pop Warner College Football Player of the Year. The Pop Warner youth football/cheerleading organization recognizes players who exhibit leadership on the field, in their community, and in the classroom. Horsey was selected for his impressive comeback story that inspired his community service work in the field of heart health. He underwent open-heart surgery in 2018, just before his freshman year, and his recovery led him to work with the Lexington chapter of the American Heart Association. Horsey’s community service work also earned him the Finn Collier Service Award by the AHA in 2021.
Kenneth Horsey has started in 33 consecutive games for Kentucky’s Big Blue Wall offensive line since losing 50 pounds due to his hard work and dedication. The offensive lineman graduated with a degree in communication in December of 2021, and he is now working on his master’s degree in social work. He returned to Kentucky for his sixth year of eligibility, seizing the NCAA’s ruling to grant an extra year because of COVID-19. Horsey dedicated his football season in 2020 to Finn Collier, who lost his life to heart disease at the age of seven.
The Pop Warner organization also announced other national award recipients that recognize individuals and organizations for their contributions to education, health, athletics, and youth. The Buffalo Bills training staff received the humanitarian award, and the Mexico women’s national flag football team quarterback, Diana Flores, won the Trailblazer Award. Additionally, the Seattle Seahawks received the NFL Team of the Year Award. Pop Warner youth football/cheerleading organization aims at providing positive experiences and healthy competition for children and teenagers that emphasize the importance of physical fitness and education. With its award programs, Pop Warner hopes to inspire its young athletes to pursue their dreams while positively impacting their communities.
