Bomar, Quinn dismissed from OU football team

By John Helsley and George Schroeder
Published: August 3, 2006

NORMAN - Rhett Bomar and J.D. Quinn were dismissed from the University of Oklahoma football team Wednesday after a school investigation determined they had been paid for hours they did not work at a Norman car dealership.

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Employment records revealed the players were clocked in during football practice, according to a source.

Last winter, OU officials investigated the employment of football players at Big Red Sports and Imports while focusing on tailback Adrian Peterson’s intended purchase of - and use of - a used, late-model Lexus. In each case, no NCAA rules violations were discovered.

But in recent weeks, officials conducted further investigation of the dealership’s employment of Bomar, the Sooners’ starting quarterback, and Quinn, an offensive lineman.

“What they were doing was clocking in and out,” said former Big Red general manager Brad McRae, who said he was unaware of it at the time. “They were clocking more hours than they were working.”

An athletic department source said the issue came to a boil in the last few days. Once the NCAA rules violations were confirmed, the dismissals came within 24 hours, the source said.

OU declared Bomar and Quinn ineligible for the 2006 season. In a statement issued Wednesday by OU, Sooners’ coach Bob Stoops said the dismissals were permanent.

Neither player was named by OU officials, who cited federal privacy legislation. But multiple sources confirmed their identities. And by midafternoon, the names of each had been deleted from the team’s online roster.

The action, which was announced the day players reported for the start of fall practice, left the Sooners’ season in a state of uncertainty.

Equally uncertain is the potential for NCAA penalties, including possible forfeiture of games last season.

Stoops was unavailable for further comment. But the university source said that no other players had been implicated, or are expected to be implicated.

“We spend a considerable amount of time addressing our players regarding their personal conduct and the NCAA rules,” Stoops said in the statement. “They know exactly what we expect from them. Ultimately, they have to make right decisions. The same holds true for our boosters. When they do not, the consequences are serious, and we will not tolerate this behavior.”

Neither Bomar nor Quinn answered calls placed to their cell phones. Messages went unreturned.

Jerry Bomar, Rhett’s father, declined comment Wednesday afternoon and said he had instructed his son not to talk to reporters.

“He’s not going to talk to anybody,” Jerry Bomar said. “There’s nothing to be said about this. It’s unfortunate. But I’m not going to comment.”

In the statement, OU officials said the NCAA rules violations occurred “over an extended period of time,” but did not specify when.

McRae, the former Big Red general manager, confirmed Bomar and Quinn had been employed at the dealership, though he said he wasn’t sure when they started. They were among as many as 20 to 25 OU football players involved in the last four years to wash and detail cars and to run errands.

“They work,” McRae said in an interview last April. “It wasn’t no great conspiracy where you come in and clock in and not work, or whatever.”

OU sources said in April and reaffirmed Wednesday that the initial investigation did not reveal NCAA rules violations. McRae, who was fired last winter for reasons he said were unrelated to the initial investigation, said Wednesday he “didn’t do anything wrong” and said he was unaware of any wrongdoing by Bomar and Quinn or any other football players.

McRae said the players did not receive cash payments for their work. He said he never saw paychecks that were inordinately large.

“They never got a big check from Big Red,” McRae said.

Although specific figures were not available, sources within and without the OU athletic department said contrary to some reports, the size of the payments was not exceptionally large.

But in a statement, Stoops decried the “intentional participation in and knowledge of the student athletes in these violations.”

Big Red Sports and Imports was sold last spring to David Hudiburg, who said Wednesday no OU athletes have been employed since then. Hudiburg and Jeff Atkins, his attorney, said he had cooperated with OU’s compliance department staff in gathering documents related to the employment of Bomar and Quinn.

“Everything they’ve asked us regarding employment with football players, we sent them everything we can,” said Atkins, who added the dealership had received several “hate calls” Wednesday after the news of the dismissals broke. “Obviously, we are trying to clarify and get out that we had nothing to do with this deal. It was the prior ownership.”

Mike Donohue, the former owner, could not be reached Wednesday for comment. No one answered at his house in Norman.

Although the NCAA rules violation were uncovered by an internal investigation, it is very likely the NCAA will conduct its own inquiry. OU’s athletic department is already on a two-year probation (through May 2008) for major rules violations committed by men’s basketball coaches

Although penalties were assessed, the school avoided the serious charge of “lack of institutional control.” But the NCAA Committee on Infractions does not take lightly further rules violations while a school is on probation.

In a statement, OU President David Boren said the school “will never compromise its high ethical standards or its integrity.” OU athletic director Joe Castiglione said OU’s athletes are educated on the NCAA rules.

“In the end, individuals must decide right and wrong for themselves and then live with the consequences,” Castiglione said. “Unfortunately, many more people who themselves play by the rules are also affected by these consequences.”

“I strongly support the decision of coach Stoops,” Boren said in the statement. “Coach Stoops has done the right thing. His action reflects the basic values of our University. ... We share the sadness about this situation with our fans and players who have followed the rules, but we believe in our program and in this team, which we know will carry on in the great Sooner tradition.”


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I think we should give Coach Blake the credit he deserves. He is an outstanding, well respected man that set a great example for his players, and expected good behavior from them in return, just like Stoops does. (I've always secretly believed that he was brought in to "clean up" the program.) He was responsible for some great recruiting, during a "re-building" of the team, but he didn't win the games that Stoops has consistently won. I will place Stoops above Blake as a coach any day, but, very few individuals rank as high as Blake as a man. BTW, do you remember how his players rallied behind him when he was released? They loved and respected him because he earned their love and respect. Stoops has done the same. We have had 2 extremely fine men as coaches, back to back.
Allison, Noble - Aug 7, 2006 6:16 PM
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Roger, Keller - Aug 6, 2006 5:38 PM
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Electric.
Watch what you say about Switzer. Allan told me there is an Arkansas mafia and Barry is the godfather. They'll get you man!!!! You'll be sleeping with the hogfish!!!
Roger, Keller - Aug 6, 2006 5:38 PM
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Stoops won only because of Blake's recruits?!?!?!Ol' Allan probably thinks brown cows give only chocolate milk.I guess that's why Blake won all those titles before Stoops.I guess all those recruits graduated after the national title year, since we didn't win two or three in a row.PUT DOWN THE CRACK PIPE ALLAN!!!
Roger, Keller - Aug 6, 2006 5:35 PM
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Brad McRae is working for Fowler Dodge. His house in Norman is on the market. Fowler Dodge is not sure when he(McRae) will be back to work. I hope they fire this sorry SOB. Maybe, he can get a job in Austin or Stalewater. It doesn't matter if BRS&I fired him(McRae) or not. BRS&I is a bad dealership with bad business practices.
j3lly, Boon Dock - Aug 3, 2006 10:20 PM
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Todd you are onto something there. This may in fact be the biggest test that Coach Stoops has ever had. I'm not taking anything away from Paul Thompson. He is a very capable QB and leader. But put in this situation, where the starter is suddenly not there and to have to go to the bench maybe without a doubt the hardest thing a coach can do. If Paul turns out to not be the man, then maybe Joey can be. If I were Coach Stoops, I'd be scared silly right now. BOOMER SOONER
Jim, Collinsville - Aug 3, 2006 8:15 PM
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Let's go Sooners! Rally around the adversity. Sooner Fans lets support the team and Paul Thompson. There 10 other players on offense and they all will be sucessful. This will be Stoops is greatest year ever as we win the Big 12 and then into a BCS Bowl. This team will win and we have 80,000+ fans in Memorial Stadium to back them up on Saturday, plus the thousand of other fans suppport them. Get on the Bus because it is going to be a great ride.
Todd, Bentonville - Aug 3, 2006 7:56 PM
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Mr. McRae &/or the person you've identified as the GM who was fired must be one of the most incompetent persons I've read about in recent times. Doesn't know how much his salesmen make? Ha.. Ha..!!to that one. Doesn't know how much their checks were? Probably didn't know how much the cars he was by all accounts, responsible for over-seeing. I can certainly understand why he might be fired, but then, on the other-hand, it makes you wonder if they're not all in on it together, doesn't it. (Don't think I'll be buying my next car from them anyway).
Chris, Oklahoma City - Aug 3, 2006 7:51 PM
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Maybe Rhett could look up Charles Thompson and get the name of that little school in Ohio or where ever it was that he ended up. Or maybe he could come down here to Mississippi and hang out with Marcus Dupree. Of course Marcus lives just up the road from me and if I ever saw Rhett I might have to give him Jason White's knee problems. Good luck Paul. We're behind you. BOOMER SOONER.
Jim, Collinsville - Aug 3, 2006 7:45 PM
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Hats off to Stoops! He had to make a very a difficult and agonizing decision!
jerry, Hephzibah - Aug 3, 2006 6:24 PM
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thanks for a big letdown for this season
dale, waterloo - Aug 3, 2006 6:05 PM
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j3lly - You need to get your facts straight. Brad McRae had already been fired and was no longer with BRS&I when David Hudiburg made that statement.
Brian, Pauls Valley - Aug 3, 2006 4:38 PM
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I wouldn't boycott the dealership. Well, other than the fact that Kias suck! Remember back when BRSAI sold Jags and Beemers? Good times!
electric, Norman - Aug 3, 2006 4:10 PM
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Sooners Fans should not forget the name of The Loud Mouth, Long-Hair, Teenage wanna bee) Brad McRae. He's playing the "I don't know" game. I guess he just signed the checks for Bomar.

Here's an interesting quote from David Hudiburg in the Journal Record on April 17, 2006. "Hudiburg said he expects no significant changes in Big Red operations: We like the name; they've got a great reputation; and he's got really good people in every aspect of the business, he said of the foundation Donohue laid. So we're just going to take his people and operate the store."

Good people? I guess they're good for clocking Bomar's time sheet while Bomar was at practice.

BOYCOTT Big Red Sports and Imports!
j3lly, Boon Dock - Aug 3, 2006 4:07 PM
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Blake and Josh the Hoople - certainly not Stoop(id)s.
allan, oklahoma city - Aug 3, 2006 3:37 PM
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Wow! That was a little scary there Allan. You really think that Blake deserves the credit for the 2000 NC? Even though few of his players made it to the NFL? And Switzer with Christian compassion? Compassion, yes. Christian, no. I like the King, and admire a lot of things about him. But your inflated sense of his value is a little bit displaced.
electric, Norman - Aug 3, 2006 3:35 PM
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Go Paul Thompson! You're the man! We're behind you 100%!
electric, Norman - Aug 3, 2006 3:31 PM
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I posted earlier today and when I came back I thought I was reading an Aggie message board. Let's revisit OU football. First, the only thing that is good enough is winning the national championship in an undefeated season where the team beats the spread every game and trounces both Tuck Fexas and the Aggies by 30 or fourty points - EVERY YEAR. Yes, I know that Switzer did not do that every year, but he came closer than anyone ELSE. Stoop(id)s never earned a national title, the only reasons that he ever was involved with a national championship team was that Blake was a great recruiter who left the cupboard fully stocked and the fact that Josh the Hoople had an outsized football EQ and was a "coach on the field" that could make critical plays in a severEly flawed offensive scheme that has caused everyone since to fall flat on his face during crunch time. If you do not believe the offensive scheme is fatally flawed, closed your eyes and remember all the times that hybel and snow white could not overcome a blitz attack. Stoop(id)s has been able to win the first 9 games against the sisters of the poor and then falls flat when the games matter and the opponent has a pulse. Let's just be thankful that Stoop(id)s has had the good fortune of coaching against Mack Brown, who may be the worst big game coach ever. (Yes, I know he won a national championsip last year after have the no 1 recruiting class for the last 15 years.) If OU ever aspires to win a national title, it must fire Stoop(id)s. Switzer's magic was simple, he, in an act of Christian compassion, reached out to children from disadvanted backgrounds and gave them the chance to earn a university degree when almost everyone else had given up on them and deemed them unworthy of a college education. The true genius of his method was that he teamed his players up with mentors, generally boosters, and made sure that they (the players and the boosters) had the self awareness to suceed suceed and avoid pitfalls that would bring them down. Stoop(id)s has not done that. Now we have to sweat out sanctions.
allan, oklahoma city - Aug 3, 2006 3:31 PM
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Bomar and Quinn shared a title before the season starts - THIEVES. They stole money from Big Red for work not done, stole the possible success of fellow players on the team, stole the faith and trust of the coach staff, stole away the dreams of the team's sucess for the fellow students and the SOONERS fans around the world, including IRAQ. Amazing how young men in IRAQ are making life threatening decisions continuously and Bomar/Quinn can not make the proper decisions playing a game.
Herb, Choctaw - Aug 3, 2006 3:18 PM
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Jim Tressel comes to mind.....I don't know that OU had much room for error here with the NCAA. I hope that when the details come out, it's evident the University's actions were as swift and decisive as they currently appear.
electric, Norman - Aug 3, 2006 3:02 PM
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OU can still have a great season without Bomar at QB. Peterson has an even better shot now at winning the Heisman since we’ll have to run more. The defense will still be above average. We’ll be all right. Beyond this, year is where it’ll hurt even more. In 2007 there’ll be no Bomar, no Peterson. If I was a top high school quarterback and wanted to play as a freshman at a Top 5 program, I’d go to OU! Stoops did the right thing the right way. I can think of a few other coaches who have handled similar situations differently.


mark, Edmond - Aug 3, 2006 2:47 PM
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Fiinally, someone chimed in on my comments of paying players (Jim, Ft. Worth). There are rules, but they have become antiquated and don't take into account that most kids parents can't send them anything. I remember when switzer gave a player a ticket home to see his sick mom and he was punished. Are you kidding. We let kids go straight to the NBA without going to college (a grave disservice) but we can't support the players who go to college
John, Friendswood - Aug 3, 2006 2:10 PM
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There was a time, when a player broke a rule, he would run stadium steps and devote more hours to film study. "Where have you gone Barry Switzer, a nation turns its lonely eyes to you..What's that you say Mrs. Robinson, Barry ball has left and gone away. We miss you Barry. Thanks for the memories
Richard, New York - Aug 3, 2006 2:06 PM
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I applaud Coach Stoops, Castiglione, and Prez Boren for taking swift, decisive action in removing these two players. No player is bigger than the program, regardless of their status.
My only hope is that this is the end of it as far as implication of current or former players is concerned. I fully expect it to be dragged out by the NCAA over the next 2-3 years, unfortunately the wheels of beaurocracy turn slowly. The big down side is the pot shots by the media and other teams recruiting against the Sooners with the threat of sanctions looming overhead.
So kudos to the OU administration, "BOO!" to the players and boosters involved.
Now let's play some football!
Charles, Mount Juliet - Aug 3, 2006 1:54 PM
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Joe from Meridian. That literally made me LOL. Thanks, I needed that today.

Roger
Roger, Keller - Aug 3, 2006 1:49 PM
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No, Roger, he can't be a speech writer for Bush. He never used the word nukuler once.
Joe, Meridian - Aug 3, 2006 1:06 PM
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I thought this was funny. I just watched the "No Comment" video clip and it began with a Hudiburg Auto Group ad.
Joe, Meridian - Aug 3, 2006 4:50 PM
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In the same vein as comparing old styles to new, let's talk about old NCAA rules and new: A student may NOT WORK during the sport's season. This may have been good and well back in 1977 when I started at OU. Books, fees, and tuition for 17 hours was $412 dollars. Now it's that much for one class with no added fees or books. Rules need to be there, but it's gotten to the point that honest students need to be able to take care of themselves and that doesn't necessarily happen within the current rules. Don't do away with the rules, just revamp them and bring them up to speed with today's society. Then, when you have a kid that brazenly breaks the rules, hammer him into oblivion and send his (or her) buttocks packing.
Mitch, stillwater - Aug 3, 2006 12:20 PM
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OSU has never won a National Championship in Football. They may have been undefeated in 1945. However, the champion that year (According to NCAA records) was Army (Small wonder when we were at war huh.). Anyhow, nobody that is a true Oklahoman should dispute the fact the OSU has been the national champion in many sports. But, we are talking on this blog about football. We have a case of 2 individuals that did what many other kids have simply been fired for before. The only issue at stake was that they signed an agreement to not do things like this, and the fact that they were part of major college football. I do not dispute the fact that Bomar and Quinn should be immediately and irrevocably removed from the OU sports scene. However, personal attacks and attacks on the new owners of Big Red do not make sense. These guys did not show good judgement in other things and this was simply the straw that broke the camel's back. Bomar could have been removed before for his drinking. However, Stoops believes in allowing one to build his character and gave him the benefit of the doubt. Get off the bash bandwagon and let's support the other kids that don't violate the rules. The Adrian Peterson issue was thoroughly investigated and nothing was found to be amiss. I understand that sometimes (And in this case sometimes may mean many times) student atheletes get preferential treatment. This is common for any college student that may bring glory to a university or department that has had successful graduates. Haven't you ever seen a kid that was a computer whiz get paid a ton of money to go to a specific school on the agreement that he will either work for or promote a company? It happens folks! We set special stipulations on these kids because they happen to play sports. I think that they should have rules. However, limiting the amount that a kid can earn simply because small schools can't compete with the money isn't fair to the kid. If I wan't to hire a cheerleader to clean my pool at $500 an hour, most of you would think I was a lech but you wouldn't have a problem with that. However, if I paid Adrian $500 an hour to do the same thing, I am guilty of a crime against the NCAA. Not fair in my book.
Jim, Ft Worth - Aug 3, 2006 12:13 PM
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Forget the bone, forget split-t. You can't compare the size and speed of today's players. The field would have to be 20 yards wider just to make room. And the hefty-smurfs used to be slow, now they have sprinters that weigh 280 and 290 with some 310'ers that can still scramble.

Gone are the days of having a single secret weapon. Maybe for a good team, but to be a great team you have to have a LOT of players that can do anything.
Mitch, stillwater - Aug 3, 2006 12:12 PM
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Wow!! Let's praise "God" Stoops for making a decision that was a "No Brainer" to begin with. You violate rules, you pay the price. Even "God" can't argue that. Now would be a good time to buy a car really cheap. Going out of Business sale.
Michael, Oklahoma City - Aug 3, 2006 12:03 PM
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I dare say that in this day of cellphones, the internet and rumor becoming fact in the blink of an eye, even The King (Barry Switzer) would have a hard time keeping things as quiet as he was once able to. It's a different world and the way of doing things has changed. We make look back whistfully at the days of unlimited scholarships, the wishbone offense, and players getting paid under the table, but those days are gone forever.
Joe, Meridian - Aug 3, 2006 11:56 AM
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Alright, I thought those educated Sooner fans out there would get the sarcasm in Allan's and my preveious posts. Of course we don't want to fire Stoops. In jest, we were saying, we wish Stoops would have been as crafty as Barry was and find some way to just make this go away quietly. You guys need to lighten up.
By the way, I'm not grasping at straws when I say TEXAS SUCKS.
Chris, Overland Park - Aug 3, 2006 11:51 AM
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I'm still optimistic about the season. Ten touchdowns and ten interceptions can be replaced. Kevin Wilson replaces Chuck Long at OC: That will improve the creativity in play-calling. Josh Heupel returns as QB Coach. That ensures that whoever straps it on behind center will be an improvement over what Bomar did last year. Don't get me wrong; Bomar was exciting to watch. I think he showed great improvement. I think he was probably a 20 and 10 guy this year. But this year's team will still be better than last year's team. Call them crimson-covered glasses, but I like the way life looks through them.
electric, Norman - Aug 3, 2006 11:48 AM
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This is becoming rather ridiculous. People need to applaud Stoops for protecting the program's integrity we've had under him even at the expense of immediate success this year. There is still no reason we can't have success this year....we have one of the best five defenses in the country (barring injuries) and we have an offense that has an exciting young corp of receivers and AP. Any path to the title game depends on Adrian's health anyway (that hasn't changed). If we can improve the line and have a QB that doesn't make huge mistakes as we grew accustomed to last year, we should be fine. Remember, only ONE team wins a title but unlike other sports, many can end on a win. The entire team improved last year which should leave a good taste in people's mouths (as did OSU's minus their game against us). Rhett did as well, but his off the field actions in more cases than this one are something that is absolutely not tolerable for a team leader..and if you read Stoops' media-day quotes you could tell he was pissed at this cancer of "entitlement" going through the team. We will see if this can be corrected, but don't make things worse by complaining....support the team! Last year as a fan should have been incredibily rewarding after being 2-3 and really finishing 9-3 (lol). Those of you who have never played or been involved with collegiate or organized athletics have no idea how tough that is and quite frankly need to get a life. Finally, be glad we are not like Ohio State, Texas, USC, and the OU and Alabama of old.....be happy we have integrity because when the NCAA catches you instead of you turning yourself in like we have so often, really bad things happen! Those other schools will all have their day at some point........
Larry, College Station - Aug 3, 2006 11:28 AM
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We (OU) don’t need to wag our finger at just Texas, because everyone breaks the rules. The simple fact is there are so many; you don’t know when you are breaking them. I respect most Texas fans and Husker fans too, so leave them out of this argument. We all know every school has idiot fans because there are idiots every where on this rock we call Earth. It’s about people not about OU or Texas or NU. As I recall, one of our violations under Switzer in the late eighties, was buying Billy Dykes a shake and a cheeseburger at Mickey D’s. A freaking samich is going to sway a kid to go to a particular school? Right! The NCAA is a little out of control, but we policed our program, so they SHOULD cut us some slack. Doesn’t mean they will, after Kelvin Sampson and his lack of ethics.

Roger
Roger, Keller - Aug 3, 2006 11:25 AM
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I don't know that anything like this is going on at Texas either. I hope not. I think college football is best when a great OU team beats a great UT team. Mediocrity from either is less fun.....Some states have laws by which boosters can be held legally liable for violating NCAA rules. Does anyone know if Oklahoma has such rules.....Also, OU is free to revoke season tickets of any person found to be in violation of NCAA rules.
electric, Norman - Aug 3, 2006 11:17 AM
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Allan.
Boosters are adults that know right from wrong. OU doesn’t need to waste time educating them. Five years is a long drought for a national title? You are smoking something, maybe Ajax? Fire Stoops? Maybe you’re smoking rocket fuel because your brain box has flamed out, dude.

Roger from Keller TX
born and bred in Ponca City & Norman
Roger, Keller - Aug 3, 2006 11:16 AM
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Does this mean that Thompson will get another shot a being the Sooners quarterback?
Gregory, Pontiac - Aug 3, 2006 11:02 AM
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Bring back the bone? Nah, if you're gonna go retro, go all the way and bring back Bud Wilkinson's old split-t. Let 'em try and defense that!
Joe, Meridian - Aug 3, 2006 10:50 AM
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Chris, you're obviously grasping at straws in implicating Texas as having ANY NCAA issues. It's a shame that this happened to OU. Yes, even as a Texas fan I don't wish anything like this on a rival program.
Mark, Dallas - Aug 3, 2006 10:49 AM
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I think Allan and Chris were sharing the same crack pipe. Fire Stoops? Bring back Barry? Why not Schnellenberger? Why not Blake? Barry's offense was the best once upon a time but that time has past. See how well it works for Air Force? Bob Stoops is the best man for the job. Somehow, I don't think he has time to go over all his players time cards and make sure that they are being fairly compensated. He doesn't personnally check their grades. The other professors report trouble to the Atheletic Department. The boosters are partly to blame but like I said, the NCAA can't punish them. The players are to blame for not reporting the booster transgressions. Blaming Stoops for what the players did at work is like blaming Barry for the players firing guns in the dorm. He doesn't have time to baby-sit them twenty-four hours a day.
Jim, Collinsville - Aug 3, 2006 10:49 AM
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Sorry about that Allan. I just re-read your comment. I agree. If you're going to cheat...do it right. Look at Texas for crying out loud!
Chris, Overland Park - Aug 3, 2006 10:36 AM
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Allan, are you serious? Fire Stoops? Did you smoke some crack today or what? Firing Stoops is absurd. I agree that he probably should be more aware of his players than what he apparently is, but fire him and bring back Barry? Come on man. You also said that we should educate boosters---I'm pretty sure that's being done time in and time out. Don't blame Bob. Blame the moronic players and the booster for this entire mess. Better yet, blame Sampson because he's the one who started the whole investigation anyway. Fire Stoops---that's the most absurd thing I think I will ever hear.
Chris, Overland Park - Aug 3, 2006 10:34 AM
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Allan, are you serious? Fire Stoops? Did you smoke some crack today or what? Firing Stoops is absurd. I agree that he probably should be more aware of his players than what he apparently is, but fire him and bring back Barry? Come on man. You also said that we should educate boosters---I'm pretty sure that's being done time in and time out. Don't blame Bob. Blame the moronic players and the booster for this entire mess. Better yet, blame Sampson because he's the one who started the whole investigation anyway. Fire Stoops---that's the most absurd thing I think I will ever hear.
Chris, Overland Park - Aug 3, 2006 10:32 AM
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I think ole Chuck long was looking and picking these guys. High on Talent boneheads. Too bad Stoops trusted him too much. How many in a row have NOT worked out? Maybe coach Wilson will do better. Still gald "No Imagaination Offense CL is Gone"
nocona, santa fe - Aug 3, 2006 10:21 AM
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The insidiousness of the NCAA is too far reaching. The money they derive from the talent of these kids is perverse. Not to condone the behavior of these young men, but a stipend along with the scholarship should be accorded these young then, these types of incidents will be a thing of the past. Coaches, university president, and their staffs make millions; the talent gets suspended--for needing more.
Michael G., Palmdale - Aug 3, 2006 10:21 AM
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I think ole Chuck long was looking and picking these guys. High on Talent boneheads. Too bad Stoops trusted him too much. How many in a row have NOT worked out? Maybe coach Wilson will do better. Still gald "No Imagaination Offense CL is Gone"
nocona, santa fe - Aug 3, 2006 10:20 AM
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Bomar just never got it... you've got to pay your dues first buddy. He had a chance to be a good one and the first OU QB in a long time to come in and start for 3 or 4 years. THEN he could've cashed in. Unfortunately he looked around for something more immediate. Sad.
Jeremy, Oklahoma City - Aug 3, 2006 10:19 AM
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The insidiousness of the NCAA is too far reaching. The money they derive from the talent of these kids is perverse. Not to condone the behavior of these young men, but a stipend along with the scholarship should be accorded these young then, these types of incidents will be a thing of the past. Coaches, university president, and their staffs make millions; the talent gets suspended--for needing more.
Michael G., Palmdale - Aug 3, 2006 10:19 AM
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This whole sordid mess is emblematice of exactly, in addition to a long national championship drought, what is wrong with the Sooners progam and Stoops. The university should educate the boosters; there are plenty of ways to pass money to players. Switzer never was caught passing money to players, even Marcus Dupree and (while recruiting) the king o' crud, Haht Lee Dykes, because the boosters new how to do things. OU should bring back the 'Bone; Bone Stoop(id)s by firing him for running a program with these problems; and BRING BACK BARRY!!!!!!!!
allan, oklahoma city - Aug 3, 2006 9:53 AM
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I'll take Mcrae's or Donohue's season tickets. I haven't done anything wrong!
Chris, Overland Park - Aug 3, 2006 9:49 AM
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I don't know if you can legally ban them from the University or take their season tickets away if they paid for them fairly, but they should at the very least loose their booster status and all the perks that go with it.
Joe, Meridian - Aug 3, 2006 9:48 AM
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In no way can Brad Mcrae or Mike Donohue be dismissed from responsibility. How can boosters and business men such as these guys be so stupid in putting the University at such risk? These individuals harm and taint the reputaion of the university. They somehow need to be punished; perhaps banned from the university; have their season tickets revoked, whatever.
Bill, Oklahoma City - Aug 3, 2006 9:40 AM
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I'm glad this article clarified that Big Red is no longer in business because I wanted to call and raise Cain with someone there. If there's one good thing out of this, it may be that Adrian may now have to stay another year as he's going to have another tough year with defenses now cueing solely on him.
Chris, Overland Park - Aug 3, 2006 9:35 AM
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I would say that I feel sorry for the folks at Hudiburg who have to take the angry phone calls from folks who don't know that they didn't own Big Red at the time all this took place, but since I view most all car dealers in the same light as lawyers and insurance salesmen, eh, too bad for them. BOOMER SOONER!
Joe, Meridian - Aug 3, 2006 9:24 AM
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Debbie of DeSoto, If you or I came into work, clocked in and then left only to return and clock out, I doubt our bosses would tolerate it for very long. Some boosters do seem to think that they are above the law since the NCAA can't punish them however, the players new better and they knew that they and their team could be punished. They did it anyway. Rhett and J.D. are responsible. They knew this was happening and rather than quit and report what Big Red was doing they chose to stay and be greedy.
BOOMER SOONER

Jim, Collinsville - Aug 3, 2006 9:11 AM
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Electric.
I don’t care about OSWHO circa 1945, I was just relaying what some Jethro from Cushing chimed in with after my post from yesterday afternoon. I agree. I will support anyone that plays qb and I will support the team and Stoops. This will be a tough season, but someone will step up and make an impact. As Nietzsche said “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Take care of Norman until I get back. I haven’t lived there since 1995 and man, do I miss it!!!! See you in the north end zone.

Roger
Roger, Keller - Aug 3, 2006 9:09 AM
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Who cares what Oklahoma A&M did in 1945. Next thing you know, they'll resurrect the Pat Jones "Aggies" sweatshirts.

Thompson, Hazle, I really don't have a preference. Let's not lose sight of the fact that as OU fans we're going to support whoever the coach puts in there at QB. We're going to see some good football this fall. We might miss Bomar's ten whopping touchdown passes, but I think we'll recover. This should be a wakeup call for the team though. I heard Coach Stoops saying a couple of weeks ago that some of the current players feel entitled to championships. Mabye this will wake them up and make them realize they're not entitled to anything. They have to earn it.

And they'll earn it this fall. By beating Texas...which still sucks.
electric, Norman - Aug 3, 2006 8:41 AM
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As a Sooner fan, news of Rhett Bomar's dismissal from the team left me very disappointed, as I expected the team to have a great season in 2006.
However, I too stand behind Coach Stoops' decision
to drop the players from the team. Rhett and JD will have plenty of time to reflect on how they let their teammates and university down as a result of their actions. I hope this makes the team stronger as I still believe we will enjoy a great season. GO SOONERS !!
OU supporter in New Mexico, Billy Colson
Billy, Las Cruces - Aug 3, 2006 8:40 AM
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Jim of Collinsville.
In case you hadn’t heard,it’s still 1945 in Stillwater breeds still minds. And billy blob claims he’s a Norman resident, but I think he’s just an aggie that can’t read a map.

Roger
Roger, Keller - Aug 3, 2006 7:53 AM
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I hold BIG RED and its employees responsible. They are the adults in this picture, and you can't convince me that "no one was aware" of what was going on. I'm sorry I ever purchased a car from that dealership, and I definitely never will again. (It's hard enough being a die-hard Sooner fan living 12 miles from Lawrence. I'll be hearing jokes about this one for a long time!)
Debby, DeSoto,KS
Debby, DeSoto - Aug 3, 2006 7:28 AM
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Hey, this is a question for all of you OSU fans. You all seem very eager to jump up and remind us of what happened to Coach Switzer and now start pointing your fingers at Coach Stoops. Have you all forgotten about that coach named Johnson and what he did not only at OSU but also at Miami? He wasn't exactly Mister Clean.
Jim, Collinsville - Aug 3, 2006 6:37 AM
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Rhett "Bonehead" Bomar and J.D. "Just Done" Quinn. All is not lost. Remember a few years ago? We had a juco QB and a no name defense. They had a little success.
BOOMER SOONER
Jim, Collinsville - Aug 3, 2006 6:02 AM
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We're glad you hate OU, billy bob. That's what makes it fun being a Sooner fan.
Roger, Keller - Aug 3, 2006 5:43 AM
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UPSIDE: 07 Recruiting (could land another blue chip QB); program integrity; prima donna team attitude that Coach has recently discussed should be totally squelched

UNBELIEVABLE: Rawls, Grady, Bomar - not an impressive string of Elite Eight QB's. Bomar's stupidity ranks up there with V.Young's Wunderlick score.

SMELL THE COFFEE: It's going to be Halzle - maybe he has the same moxy as his position coach

ALWAYS REMEMBER: Never leave your joy in a bunch of entitled teenagers.

YOU ANSWERE THE QUESTION: Would Coach prefer a team of less talented over acheivers or "entitled" blue chippers?

ALWAYS BOOMER SOONER!
Phil, Trophy Club - Aug 3, 2006 12:09 AM
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YOU THINK BOMAR COULD MAYBE GO TO "PRESTIGE FORD" AND GET A JOB? IT'S STUFF LIKE THIS THAT MAKES US OU HATERS SMILE...OU FANS ALL SHAKING IN YER BOOTS AND WONDERING WHAT KIND OF SEASON THE "STOOPS TROOPS" WILL HAVE....LOL...DOES'NT LOOK TOO GOOD FOR THIS YEAR. IT'S SO SAD THAT SO MANY PUT THEIR HOPES AND DREAMS IN THESE IDIOTS. HOW MANY OF YOU THOUGHT BOMAR WAS AWESOME YESTERDAY? HOW MANY HATE HIM NOW? BOYCOTT? PLEASE! THEY ARE ALL CHUMPS! YOU HAVE TO GIVE OL' RHETT CREDIT THOUGH....HE DID LIVE UP TO HIS TEAM'S NAMESAKE....CHEATER!
billy bob, norman - Aug 2, 2006 11:51 PM
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Ok, I am just as bummed as everybody else. But, after the shock and disappointment wear off, we need to get behind our team even more. I believe we can still have a very giid season. Our defense can and should be very good. We also have some very good running backs, obviously, w/AD & AP & the frosh Murray. Our receivers are very talented although young. Halzle is the qb unless Bradford is amazing, leave PT @ wr. Also. If you are in attendance @ the games, get behind the team even more and be louder than ever. BOOMER SOONER
Daryn, Plano - Aug 2, 2006 11:45 PM
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It is amazing that a person makes a mistake in life and everyone is putting that person down. We all make mistakes in life, theirs just happens to end up on TV. Can you imagine if all our mistakes became public knowledge, we might have a little more compassion and pray that they are able to work hard and become more. With that said, let me pose a question. Does the NCAA limit the amount of money a student athlete is allowed to earn per hour? I don't know but let me give an example. One of the students in my sunday school class got a job with his grandfathers friends construction business and was earning $20 per hour this summer much to the contrast of another of my students who worked minimum wage. Is there a difference? I feel like if anyone can get a job and negotiate a salary they that is what they should get paid. Some will say that then alumn can use this to entice players to their school and the little schools will suffer. But what top 100 high school player went to a "little" school. None that I know of, they went to top rank, TV schools, so the little schools still don't get them even without incentives. As you can tell, I think we should be paying the players and making them sign a contract to not only play all 4 years (that way they don't leave after only 3) and they must graduate. They would then have a contractual obligation to perform and would not be tempted to "violate" any NCAA rules so they can have money to get with friends and eat somwhere other than school food etc. Just thoughts....
John, Friendswood - Aug 2, 2006 11:39 PM
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wow...another OU QB working with a car dealership...that makes three in a row! HAHAHAHAHAH well...at least he didnt blow out a knee.
billy bob, norman - Aug 2, 2006 11:38 PM
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I believe that Coach Stoops did the right thing and I support his decision. I am currently stationed in Iraq and have two sons back in Oklahoma that are playing sports. Coach Stoops has set a fine example that this type of behavior will not be tolerated in his program. God Bless
Robert, Edmond - Aug 2, 2006 11:13 PM
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For those of you that don't know, Joey Halzle is a product of Oaks Christian HS in Westlake Village, CA. This is the same HS that the current #1 ranked HS prospect QB Jimmy Clausen will graduate from in December. The coach at Oaks is a long time top California HS coach and he knows how to prepare players for the next level. Halzle had huge stats in his year at the JC in Huntington Beach. I believe this yound man can handle the job.
Jim, Agoura Hills, CA - Aug 2, 2006 11:07 PM
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It's mind-boggling that a bright, talented young man with so much promise and so many people depending on him could commit such a disdainful act of selfishness and arrogance. Having said that, it's time to move on, because lamenting what could have been won't get Bomar reinstated.

I'm leaning toward Thompson as the starting quarterback. He's in his fifth year on campus, knows the offense inside and out, and brings the mobility necessary behind an offensive line that will be a question mark in the early part of the season. He'll have much more to work with this year than he or Bomar did at the beginning of '05. The receiving corps (Kelly, Iglesias, Johnson, etc...) is much more experienced, and features a wealth of size, talent, and speed. Peterson is healthy. The defense has a ton of young players who've improved dramatically since last year as well, and it will very likely feature the best front seven in college football. Furthermore, the early part of the schedule won't be nearly as tough as last year. Oregon on the road is the only potential loss in the first month, and the Sooners will have two weeks to prepare for a Texas team that will be grooming its own freshman quarterback (or rotating two of them) to begin October. If this program, with a similar defense and running game, was able to win a Big-12 title in '02 with Nate Hybyl at quarterback, then it can certainly win one in '06 with Paul Thompson at the helm. Any thoughts to the contrary are rooted in ignorance or wishful thinking by fans of other Big-12 schools.
Mike, Seguin - Aug 2, 2006 11:01 PM
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OU will be fine with Halzel at the helm, I "AM" an alumnus of OU, I bleed Crimson & Cream, I grew up with the Selmon brothers at Eufaula, I knew J.C. Watts and his family. I know Bob and Company will do what is best for their chances to excel, and I think Joey has been groomed to step into the starting slot. The loss of J.D. Quinn is not as devastating as it could have been, someone will step up and fill the void. They have all of the Summer + two-a-days to find the right fit, Bob & the offensive brain trust will make the right choices. Remember 2000, we did that with a juco transfer, we will just have to do it again. Boomer!!! (Beat Hell Outta Texasss!!!)
JD, cicero - Aug 2, 2006 10:40 PM
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PEOPLE, PEOPLE! Get your facts straight. Big Red Sports & Imports (BRSI) was bought out by the Hudiburg group in April. It's that floppy-haired "I-35, Norman" jerk that is to blame, and he's none other than a good friend of the "King" himself, good ole Barry Switzer. Punishing the "current" ownership via boycotts and nasty calls to them serves no one. I blame the "I-35, Norman" fop as much as I blame Bomar. But what about his parents? Did they, his father in particuar, not instill in him certain values? They should have been able to read between the lines. His father was the one who gave him that sense of "entitlement." I'm glad Stoops did what he did. Integrity over championships. It was that "other" Coach in the 1970s and 80s who failed to see that message, and he's passing his wisdom on to his friends. I guess it has all come full circle!
lanez, Edmond - Aug 2, 2006 10:38 PM
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First Bob Moore and Bob Howard don't sell Kia's try Cable Kia on NW 39th. Second try finding the culprit he is alive and well at a dealership on the I240. Third Bomar obviously can't read, when you sign a National Letter of Intent it makes it very clear what you can and cannot do regarding employment and payment, might of been an OK QB but definetely not a scholar.
Alexis - Aug 2, 2006 10:02 PM
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Looks like Bomar has a future in politics, being as he is into "magic money"!
James, Norman - Aug 2, 2006 10:02 PM
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Bomar is gone, along with his me-first attitude. Forget about him and move on. The Sooners won a ton of championships before he got here and will win a bunch more after he's gone. I'm not going to lose any sleep because a dumb kid blew HIS chance. I'll focus my energy on rooting for the kids who are still here and doing the right thing.

Boomer
Mike, Topeka - Aug 2, 2006 9:58 PM
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I hope Bomar got some good experience seling cars because he hust threw his NFL chances out the window. There needs to be some penalties levied against the "boosters" who cause the university to be punished for these offenses. This has the potential to cost the univeristy several million dollars in lost bowl game revinue.
Travis, Louisville - Aug 2, 2006 9:51 PM
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WHO CARES EITHER WAY. NOT ONE OF LIFE'S REAL ISSUES
David W., Oklahoma City - Aug 2, 2006 9:43 PM
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I believe this will be a positive for the team, now they will have to rally around Joey and still compete at a championship calliber.
JD, cicero - Aug 2, 2006 9:29 PM
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OK, I think we need to start a boycott of Big Red Sports (not that they have a great products). Boycott any tv or radio station that takes money from those scum. I realize that Rhett was 50% of the problem but he is kicked off the team. Everyone in this situation gets punished (the fans, Rhett, the school, the team) but the dealership will continue on unless we send a message!!
Lennon, norman - Aug 2, 2006 9:29 PM
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I too am mad, angry & just down right disapointed. I love OU football, I always have since I was a toddler, right up through being a student & suffered thru the Blake debacle. My 4 year old had never missed a home game & had only missed a handful of road games in his 4 years. Last fall I had a complicated pregnancy, my baby nearly died & we missed the whole season because of premature delivery. My baby was healthy & everything turned out just fine, but all winter long my 4 year old has been fired up about this fall. We will still go to all the home games, all the road games in Texas & hopefully KC. But after the trauma of last fall, my whole family was embracing the promise of this fall. And honestly we feel let down. Sooner football is bigger than Rhett Bomar. But it just taints the looking forward to fall for all of us. Imagine how disappointed & let down his teammates must feel.
Jeanie, Wichita Falls - Aug 2, 2006 9:25 PM
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I'm just as upset as the next guy but theres always a silver lining and some of you are portraying that in your comments. However, some of you are IDIOTS....Brad is not MIA...he is alive and well in Norman, working at Fowler!!! He's actually a pretty decent guy and from inside sources I have he was unaware of this situation...Now as for Donahue I do not know. I do know that Brad was not in the office most days so it is possible that he was unaware. So you people need to blame the correct person....Bomar and Quinn...they are old enough to know they did something wrong!!! OU will be fine...we have Stoops and AD and a bunch of fabulous others...don't worry...BOOMER SOONER!!! (and quit posting messages if you arent intelligent enough to know the real story!)
shannon, Norman - Aug 3, 2006 8:19 AM
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My name is Carter and I am 9. Mr. Stoops did the right thing to get rid of Bomar because if he didn't maybe other player would think they could do the same thing. Bomar made the wrong decision and he need to pay for what he's done. I hope our quaterbacks now can be better than Bomar and that we can run the ball with Peterson and win another championship. The sad thing is that I really liked him. It breaks my heart that he is a big, nasty cheater.
Kara, Alexandria - Aug 2, 2006 8:42 PM
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Shannon.
I agree. Bomar and Quinn are the responsible parties, along with Big Red. However, you might not be doing this Brad dude any favors by letting the psycho fans know where to find him. I’m an OU fan top to bottom and I certainly wouldn’t go after some spokesman, or anyone else. Unfortunately there are many fans looking for some blood. If you know this poor fellow, I would let him know the crazies are aware he is still in Norman.

Roger
Roger, Keller - Aug 3, 2006 8:29 AM
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So you deleted my post because of "sh*t" ?
Roger, Keller - Aug 2, 2006 8:59 PM
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A couple of years ago, I worked in the detail department for Big Reds. That is usaully where all the OU players would work at when they were hired for summer jobs. It was rumored they would leave during shifts and come back to fill the time sheet for a full days work, although I never seen it myself.
J, Oklahoma City - Aug 2, 2006 8:17 PM
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Curtis.
I will give you credit for one thing. You haven’t thrown down the “you probably never went to OU” gauntlet that most OSU fans are obsessed with these days. What is up with that anyway? Does anyone think any college stadium is full of only graduates or alumni of any given school? Does anyone believe a university would turn down a donation from a non-alumnus?

Roger
Roger, Keller - Aug 2, 2006 8:13 PM
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Curtis.
I thought we weren’t speaking any longer? Does this mean the marriage is back on? I had to brow beat your colors out, dude. What school wouldn’t take star players back? They aren’t coming back because they violated rules. Man that is a keen observation.
Roger, Keller - Aug 2, 2006 7:58 PM
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