Readers react

Published: August 6, 2006

We asked visitors to NewsOK.com to give their reaction to Rhett Bomar and J.D. Quinn's dismissal from the Oklahoma football team. Here are selected comments from more than 200 responses:

"I admire and respect Bob Stoops and the rest of the staff for their credibility. I blame the booster as much if not more so than the players. It is far to easy to influence a young adult (using that term loosely) with money and gifts."

-- Gene Holliman, Holdenville

"Rhett Bomar is a young man who made a mistake. Most young men do at one time or another. However, this mistake is a big one, and the consequences of it are going to be just as big. This is something Rhett Bomar will struggle with the rest of his life -- the opportunity he had, and wasted, as the University of Oklahoma starting quarterback."

-- James Stephenson, Garden City, Kan.

"This is a bitter pill to swallow, but it the right decision and it sends a clear message to the rest of the team. Let's face it, Rhett put his own enjoyment ahead of what was best for the team. He has shown by his actions time and again that he doesn't think that the rules apply to him."

-- Michael Milligan, Norman

"Rhett, you owe the people of Oklahoma an apology. We took you in, supported you over Paul Thompson, and this is how you repay us. So I say goodbye, and don't let the door hit you ... when you leave."

-- Jeff Pool, Norman

"Anyone have tickets to the Independence Bowl I can buy?"

-- Mark Doescher, Norman

"It feels like the season is over before fall practice has even started. In reality, Oklahoma can still have a wonderful season but beating Oregon and Texas has become much more difficult."

-- Richard White, Morristown

"Looks like (Bob) Stoops learned a valuable lesson from Kelvin (Sampson) about reporting and following rules."

-- Kay Kloecker, Hempstead

"Adrian (Peterson) is going to have to really protect himself, because with Rhett out, it looks like teams can focus on (Peterson and) and the run game. The coaching staff is intelligent, and should be able to overcome this."

-- Chris Williams, Sentinel

"Even though I am a Cowboy (Go Pokes!), I really do feel for all of the Sooner fans. Just remember that Bomar let you guys down on this one. Stoops is truly a man of honesty, integrity and leadership. Last year, Coach Gundy was in a similar position and made a difficult but likewise good decisions for OSU. Keep your spirits up Sooner fans!"

-- Seth Coldiron, Oklahoma City

"Can anyone say 'lack of institutional control?' The biggest adjustment (Barry) Switzer had to make going to Dallas from Norman was trying to work under a salary cap."

-- Johnny Cathey, Duncan

"It really doesn't matter who gave the players the money. What really matters is the fact that they didn't have sense enough to say no. Seems to me they didn't really want to play football all that much. Student-athletes are at a disadvantage that they can't work much but they should ask the right people for help if they need it. Better to take care of the problem now rather than later."

-- Becky Walker, Ada