A defensive Captain and veteran linebacker, Wesley Woodyard started the 16Ways Foundation to benefit the emotional needs of at-risk youth. The foundation provides programs to help build self-esteem and self-awareness through free football camps, mentoring programs and community service projects.
The thought process behind the foundation is that at-risk youths can require more reassurance that their lives matter just as much as the rest of the community, so that they can go on to excel both academically and socially to become the best members of society as possible. The foundation aims to engage the mentors as well, so they can in turn be positive role models to guide the youth in productive directions.
16Ways co-founder Derrick Kelly had this to say about the foundation’s main purpose: “Giving back is the key thing for us in the community and for Wesley. The motto is not about us, it’s about the youth, and football is an avenue to get there.”
One of the big fundraisers for 16Ways is a dinner at Sullivan’s Steakhouse in Downtown Denver. Woodyard recruits about a dozen of his Bronco teammates to serve as waiters for the popular event with all the proceeds going to the foundation. Another big event on the charity’s calendar is an annual 16Ways youth football camp. In May, Woodyard hosts around 200 kids, ages 8-14 for a free clinic, involving stretching, drills and other football related activities with fellow Broncos Champ Bailey, Kevin Vickerson and Chris Harris Jr., among others. While the kids take the field, members of the 16Ways organization make their way through the stands mingling with the families, to involve them and get the foundation’s positive message across.
During the holidays, Woodyard is also involved in an annual Toy Drive to benefit his 16Ways Foundation. Attendees of the event have a chance to mix, mingle and bid on silent auction items donated by Woodyard and some of his fellow Bronco teammates. The toys are in turn donated to GIVE Denver and the proceeds benefit the 16Ways Foundation.
Woodyard himself is a solid example of what hard work and dedication can do for you in both life and career. After spending four seasons on the Broncos special teams as an undrafted free agent, Woodyard became the beneficiary in a next man up scenario. In 2012, when linebacker D.J. Williams was suspended by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, it was Woodyard who was called up to fill in as the starter. Not only did he step in, he was the first player in Denver history to have 50 tackles along with three sacks and two interceptions in the season’s first eight games. Williams was subsequently released from the Broncos that March.
Since earning that starting linebacker spot, Woodyard has become the backbone of the Denver defense in both performance and character. This notion was glaringly apparent earlier this season, when Woodyard suffered a neck injury in Week 5 against the Cowboys, sidelining him for the following two week’s matchups versus the Jaguars and Colts. While the Broncos did come out victorious in the Jacksonville game, it was certainly a much more difficult win than it should have been for this talented Denver squad. Indianapolis handed the Broncos their only loss of the season thus far, scoring 39 points without Woodyard’s leadership and talent on the field that day.
Perhaps one of the reasons Wesley Woodyard works so hard both on and off the field is that he knows how easily replaceable an NFL job really is. Going from an undrafted special teams guy to a starting defensive captain takes endless training, dedication and humility.
Woodyard gives back to the community because he truly believes in building and shaping the youth of this country. He works his tail off on the field because he knows firsthand how easily it can be taken from you and there is always a next man up waiting to take that roster spot.
