The picture still gives me goose bumps. You're not looking at it because I refuse to take it out of its frame. It's precious to me, but I'll describe it for you:
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| Gregg Doyel (circa 1976) and sister Kathryn with OU's Elvis Peacock. |
And the thing is, I had no idea who Billy Sims was. In some sense, none of us at "Meet the Sooners Day" had any idea. This was 1976, two years before he won the Heisman Trophy. In 1976, Billy Sims was just one of a million wishbone halfbacks stocked in Barry Switzer's cupboard at Oklahoma.
But he was wearing that magical OU uniform -- there's something about crimson and cream -- and these were the Sooners, man. Grow up in Norman, Okla., with parents who attended OU, as I did, and these guys were heroes.
I was 6 the day I fell in love with OU football, and by extension all of sports. The picture you see, of me with my sister Kathryn and OU halfback Elvis Peacock, also was from that day in 1976. My parents tell me I walked from player to player, asking as earnestly as possible, "Can you have my autograph?"
 Adriane Rosen Producer I think most people can remember a certain moment, player, venue or event that turned them into the ultimate fan. For me, it was not until I was older, and of course much wiser, that I turned myself into a sports fan. Nobody helped me or guided me or showed me the way. . . for me, it’s all about my experiences and emotions I relive each time I see MY team play. It’s my favorite team for a reason, but before I dive into my reasons let me give you a little bit of background information. Read more! |
What a knucklehead.
But I was in love. I still love the wishbone. And to this day I can tell you the numbers of all those great-named players who excelled in it. J.C. Watts was No. 1. Peacock and later Buster Rhymes wore No. 4. Thomas Lott, who I saw at an OU basketball game wearing a cool red bandana, was No. 6. Sims was No. 20. David Overstreet was No. 22. Kenny King was No. 30.
But Arkansas running back Roland Sales blew up Oklahoma in the 1978 Orange Bowl, and I've never forgiven him. And Marcus Allen ran for 208 yards on Oklahoma in 1981, and I've never gotten over that, either. In fact, that day in 1981 -- Southern Cal 28, Oklahoma 24 -- changed my life as much as Meet the Sooners Day had five years earlier.
By 1981 my family had moved to Mississippi. My granddad mailed me the Sunday Oklahoman each week so I could keep tabs on my Sooners.
But that 1981 meeting between No. 1 USC and No. 2 OU was a Game of the Century kind of thing, and my team lost. And in the worst possible way. Southern Cal scored with two seconds left, and my heart was broken. I remember storming outside and crying in the yard, and coming back in with a vow: Never again would I let something so uncontrollable as a college football team break my heart.
I haven't rooted for a team since. Not the Sooners. Not my alma mater, Florida. Not anybody. Not ever.
But I'll never stop loving 1970s Oklahoma football. I'll never forget Daryl Hunt. George Cumby. Reggie Kinlaw. I could do this for hours. Darrol Ray. The Selmon brothers. Zac Henderson. Scott Hill ...
