Before Tim Couch set numerous passing records at the University of Kentucky and in the SEC ultimately becoming a Heisman Trophy finalist and No. 1 overall pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 1999 NFL Draft, the Bluegrass native was a multi-sport start at Hyden (Ky.) Leslie County. The star quarterback was one of the best athletes to ever come out of Eastern Kentucky.

Just a few days after being honored at Kroger Field for his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, Couch received another big honor back in his hometown.

In January, Leslie County released plans to build a Tim Couch statue on campus. The work on that statue is now complete. There is now a statue of The Deuce that will live on forever at Leslie County High School.

“Being around the teams and the younger kids and seeing that they have sort of lost touch with their heritage, the past and the rich tradition we have here,” said Allen Rice who is the creator of The Eagles Nest alumni club for Leslie County. “We wanted a way to preserve that and one of our favorite segments on our shows is Leslie County Legends. There’s no bigger Leslie County Legend than Tim Couch.”

“It’s a big deal. Not just for Leslie County but all of Eastern Kentucky and Kentucky as a whole.”

During his time at Leslie County, Tim Couch set national high school records at the time for completions (872), passing yards (12,104), and passing touchdowns (132). Couch brought home Mr. Football honors in 1995 and scored over 3,000 points as a high school basketball player. The star quarterback picked Kentucky over Tennessee and would throw for 8,435 yards 74 touchdowns during his three-year career in Lexington.

The honors keep rolling in for one of the best football players to ever come out of the Bluegrass State.

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