Ickey Woods dedicating life to asthma awareness after son’s death, coaching Saturday in high school game

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012 | 12:11 a.m.

Ickey Woods is considered one of the best football players in the history of the UNLV program.

The same can be said for his status with the Cincinnati Bengals, where his popularity spiked thanks to the “Ickey Shuffle” dance he often performed on the sideline after scoring a touchdown in the Bengals’ journey to the 1989 Super Bowl.

At this stage of his life, however, the 45-year-old Woods would like to be best recognized for his contributions in another industry: asthma awareness.

When Woods’ son, Jovante, passed away in August 2010 from an asthma attack, the former Rebel star’s priorities quickly shifted to joining the fight on combating asthma.

Woods, who played at UNLV from 1984-87, started a non-profit in his adopted hometown of Cincinnati to help raise awareness. He knows that by using his celebrity — fans seemingly every week ask him to perform his famous shuffle — several will be able to be educated on how to manage living with the disease through the organization, the Jovante Woods Foundation.

“I’ve had times where I break down and cry out of nowhere. I miss my baby,” Woods said. “We aren’t supposed to bury our kids. They are supposed to bury us. If we can help one kid with asthma through the foundation, then the efforts are worthwhile. Putting the foundation together has been great (therapy) because we are doing something to keep his name alive.”

Woods is back in Las Vegas this week coaching in a national high school all-star game 2 p.m. Saturday at Ed Fountain Park. Woods was originally scheduled to coach a group of college seniors in the college version of the game at Sam Boyd Stadium, but that contest was scrapped.

Woods didn’t hesitate when asked to coach the high school group. He’s treated each practice with incredible intensity, even surprising some of the players with the amount of conditioning he’s required.

That’s all part of Woods’ plan to make sure they are prepared for the next level. After all, he knows a thing or two about succeeding in college. During his senior season, Woods became the first UNLV player to win a Division I rushing title, carrying the ball for 1,658 yards and 10 touchdowns. Three times he rushed for over 200 yards a game.

“They have to understand when they get to the next level that kids are a dime a dozen,” Woods said. “You have to set yourself apart. You have to dedicate yourself to doing what needs to be done.”

The game will feature players from Pacific-Rim states (such as Oregon and California) against the Mountain states (New Mexico, Montana and others). One of the best players in the game is three-star fullback Sione Houma from Salt Lake City, who is committed to Michigan. Others, such as lineman Austin Mikkelson from Pine View in Utah, have used the time in Las Vegas to take an unofficial recruiting trip to UNLV.

While competing at a local park instead of a college stadium isn’t ideal, at least they are playing.

“I don’t really care. As long as we play we are good. I just want to have fun out here,” Houma said.

For Woods, it’s another opportunity to stay involved in the sport he loves. And, it gives him one more chance to talk about asthma awareness.

“Asthma is one of the fastest growing diseases in America, but the least amount of money is spent finding a cure,” Woods said. “I wish people understood the severity of the disease.”

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21.