In a revealing and refreshingly light-hearted day for Kentucky athletics, the Kentucky Insider had a chance to speak with a host of Kentucky Wildcats football players, and what unfolded was nothing short of captivating. From playful challenges to emotional moments that reminded everyone of the humanity behind the helmets, this was a window into the soul of a program often viewed only through the lens of wins, losses, and stats. Amid the swarm of media availability and pre-season jitters, two figures stood out: sophomore linebacker Shiyazh Pete, whose bold challenge to head men’s basketball coach Mark Pope raised eyebrows, and senior running back Seth McGowan, who opened up with a deeply personal story that left everyone in attendance moved.
Shiyazh Pete is not just any linebacker on the roster. Known for his charisma, intelligence, and wit, Pete has quietly become a voice in the locker room. During the media session, with cameras pointed at him and notebooks flipping open, he caught everyone off guard—not with a hot take on the defense or a critique of the offensive line—but with a competitive challenge aimed at a different Kentucky program altogether. “I’ve been studying up. Sicilian Defense, Queen’s Gambit, all of it,” Pete said with a smile that lit up the room. “So here’s my message to Coach Pope: Let’s go, one-on-one. Chessboard. No clock. Let’s see who’s really got the brains at Kentucky.”
At first, reporters laughed, thinking it was a joke, a humorous throwaway line. But Pete continued with the same enthusiasm. “I know everyone’s talking about who runs the program. But why not settle it over a chessboard instead of a scoreboard? I respect what Coach Pope has done for the basketball team, but he’s not the only thinker in Lexington.”
While it’s unclear if Coach Pope has any real background in chess—or if he’s even aware of Pete’s challenge—the gauntlet has been thrown. Social media lit up with reactions from fans across Kentucky, many of whom are now lobbying for a live-streamed matchup between the football star and the basketball coach. The “Pete vs. Pope Chess Classic” quickly became a trending topic in Wildcat Nation.
But Pete’s boldness was not just for show. When asked about why he values chess, he shared a more introspective thought: “It teaches you patience, planning, and discipline. You can’t rush moves—you have to anticipate your opponent and think five steps ahead. That’s the same way I approach the game of football.”
While Pete’s challenge stole headlines, the most poignant moment of the day came from Seth McGowan, the fifth-year senior running back who transferred from Oklahoma and has been fighting to carve out his identity in Lexington ever since. McGowan, often quiet and reserved in interviews, broke from his usual demeanor to share a deeply personal story that silenced the entire room.
He recounted how last season, during the bye week, he flew home to Texas for what was supposed to be a short visit. His mother had been battling a long-term illness, something very few outside the team had known. “I had been trying to carry that weight on my own,” McGowan said. “Trying to show up for my team every day, go to practice, study film, hit the weight room, and still worry every night about what was happening back home.”
During that visit, McGowan received a call from his younger brother, who broke the news that their mother had taken a turn for the worse. “I dropped everything and rushed home. It was one of those moments that just shatters everything you thought you knew about toughness and strength,” McGowan said, his voice cracking slightly. “We had a couple of hours together. She told me she was proud. That she’d been watching all the games. That she loved how I kept pushing.”
He paused, looked down, and then continued: “That was the last time I saw her.”
The room fell silent. Even the rustling of reporters’ papers stopped. In that moment, McGowan wasn’t just a player—he was a son, a fighter, a human being who had carried something so heavy yet still showed up every day with purpose. He said the experience has changed how he views the game. “It’s no longer just about yards or touchdowns for me. It’s about honoring her. Every play, every carry—I’m trying to make her proud.”
He went on to explain how the team had rallied around him during that time. “Coach Stoops was there. The guys were there. There were days I didn’t think I could do it, and they pulled me back in. They didn’t treat me like a player—they treated me like family. That’s why I’m still here.”
McGowan’s raw honesty drew praise from both players and media alike. It was a reminder that for every helmet and jersey number, there’s a story, a history, a reason why these athletes play the game. It also reaffirmed why fans connect so deeply with college football—because behind every run up the middle or block on the edge is a young man living a life full of battles off the field.
The combination of Pete’s charm and McGowan’s heart provided the perfect contrast—a reflection of the full range of what makes a college football team tick. While Pete pokes fun and stirs up healthy competition across programs, McGowan anchors the group with emotion and lived experience.
Several other players also shared insights during the session. Quarterback Cutter Boley emphasized how the energy in the locker room is different this year. “We’re not just a team,” he said. “We’re a unit. There’s a level of trust that’s hard to explain. It started this offseason, and it hasn’t stopped.”
Linebacker Trevin Wallace spoke on leadership and how he’s grown into the role: “I used to just play. Now I feel like I lead by example. And guys are watching. They see how you practice, how you lift, how you treat people. That’s culture, man.”
