Even from more than 1,200 miles away, Denzel Goolsby is having an impact.
The Kansas State freshman wide receiver never thought a speech last year would serve as a motivator for other college athletes, but that’s exactly what happened. Throughout this school year, Goolsby has served as an inspiration for the Florida women’s soccer team and, most recently, the Gators’ gymnastics team.
It all started unexpectedly for Goolsby last summer. Goolsby’s father, Les, died suddenly on June 24, 2015, from a brain aneurysm. The next day, Goolsby accepted an award as the Barry Sanders High School Male Athlete of the Year in the Wichita area and gave an emotional speech that received a standing ovation from the crowd in attendance.