Did you see Oklahoma defeat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl last night? If you were watching the big game, maybe you noticed former Wildcat Ball Boy Austin Woods right in the middle of things (literally).
Austin (#50), deep snapper for the Sooners and one of the captains for the big game, is the son of Don Woods, former football coach at Lake Highlands High School. Austin never attended LHHS (he went to LH-area feeder schools but graduated from Rockwall Heath), he loved hanging out on the field with his dad and cheering for the Cats on game day.
Though he’s no doubt reeling from the Sooners’ exciting upset victory over last year’s national champions, Austin has even more to celebrate.
In early 2012, Austin was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. After months of chemotherapy, doctors now say he is in remission, and his teammates have been amazed and inspired by his tenacity and courage. Despite his struggles, Austin continued football – even playing in all 12 games during his chemo year – and made the Academic All-Big 12 First Team.
Lynn Jensen, who coached at LHHS with Austin’s dad, says he isn’t surprised.
“Austin was always hanging around the coaches’ office and always had a smile on his face. He took being one of the official Wildcat ball boys very seriously. We gave him an old game jersey to wear, and he had an ear-to-ear smile. He just could not get enough football. He would come to practices and throw the ball around with his dad when he could, and he would offer a cold water bottle to a thirsty player or coach when needed. With his dad’s help, it is no surprise he went on to have the successful high school career and go on to play for one of the top college football programs in the nation at OU.”
In a 2012 interview with the AP, Austin credited his mom, who beat breast cancer when he was 5. He also expressed gratitude.
“God does some amazing things. He’s really given me a body that’s handled the treatments,” he said. “I’m just thankful for that and just glad I’ve been able to go through the summer workouts and everything and be with my teammates.”
Congratulations, Austin. Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.
