Kentucky’s CJ Baxter says Adele helps set the tone before games

Kentucky starting running back CJ Baxter has turned an everyday habit into a small window on how team culture and personal routines can diverge. In a recent interview-style piece, Baxter explained that he listens to Adele before games, saying it is the kind of music that is more familiar to his age group than what he hears from some teammates.

That detail may seem minor in the football picture, but it reflects a larger theme in college sports. For players, pregame routines are often built to manage focus and nerves, and music can become a reliable prompt for the mental reset that comes before kickoff. Baxter’s comments also suggest his approach is less about chasing a specific “hype” sound and more about finding something that reliably carries him into performance mode.

Within a program like Kentucky football, where the roster is a mix of backgrounds, ages, and life experiences, it is not unusual for teammates to gravitate toward different cultural reference points. Baxter’s observation about generational taste points to that reality, with younger players potentially leaning toward artists that shaped their formative years while older players may have different anchors.

From an offensive standpoint, the running back position often carries its own rhythm during a game. Even before the ball is snapped, a back can be thinking about tempo, vision, and timing with the offensive line. A pre-snap routine that includes a familiar playlist can help compress that mental checklist into something repeatable, which is particularly useful when games come in quick succession and preparation becomes standardized.

The bigger takeaway is that Baxter’s music choice is part of a broader identity package for players. Fans see stats and highlights, coaches see assignments and execution, but athletes also bring personal rituals that shape how they enter competition. When a player openly ties a routine to his generation and comfort level, it humanizes what is otherwise a highly controlled environment.

As Kentucky continues its season, the story behind the routine will likely matter less than what happens on the field. Still, Baxter’s explanation offers a reminder that the small habits, not just the playbook, can influence the way a player experiences game day.