Apparently, Kentucky football has a new dress code. Shirts are optional.
When Dr. Mike spotted this bare-chested Wildcat flexing in the front row, Heart of BBN had to find out who he was. His proud mother helped us track him down.
Meet Noah Parkey, a former sixth-grade science teacher from Rockcastle County who’s now studying pharmacy at UK.
Beside him is Caleb Williams, his former high school center. Caleb used to protect Noah on the football field. Apparently, he’s still got his back. And thankfully, his shirt.
Before anybody asks, Noah insists he doesn’t use steroids. Those muscles are the product of six years in the gym. Although you have to chuckle at the irony of a guy built like that studying pharmacy.
Noah’s Wildcat loyalty goes back three generations. The men in his family have a group chat that gets quite a workout during Kentucky games.
So why the missing shirt?
He first took it off celebrating a touchdown against LSU. Kentucky started playing well, and his football superstitions kicked in. Why tempt fate by putting it back on?
Against Vanderbilt, he kept it off until the final whistle.
During the Alabama blowout, as fans streamed toward the exits, Noah jokingly shouted, “If you’re not with us now, don’t be with us when we’re in the championship!”
But here’s something the photograph doesn’t tell you.
Noah’s dad coached football. His mom never missed their games, camera in hand. His younger brother followed him onto the football field. Now that they’re grown, Noah says sharing a Kentucky game with his brother is one of his most treasured memories.
After growing up cheering for Kentucky, Noah now finds himself attending UK. Sometimes, sitting in that front row, he has to remind himself how fortunate he is.
For Noah, Kentucky football brings people together.
“It doesn’t matter who you are,” he explained.
With November football here, there’s still one unanswered question.
How long can Noah’s superstition hold up against a harsh Kentucky winter?
