Bomar tells ESPN how it all went wrong at OU Former quarterback speaks Bomar tells ESPN how it all went wrong at OU
By John Helsley
Published: April 5, 2007
Rhett Bomar said he didn't set out down a road that would eventually ruin his Oklahoma career.
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The former Sooner quarterback just sort of veered astray, according to comments Bomar made to ESPN.com for a story that will appear online Friday.
Bomar and offensive lineman J.D. Quinn were dismissed from the OU team last summer after discoveries that both players had been overpaid more than $7,000 while employed by the Big Red Sports/Imports car dealership in Norman.
"It started out, we went there all the time,” Bomar told ESPN.com. "And then one thing leads to another, you know, and you get in trouble.”
There are no new revelations in the report, other than fresh commentary by Bomar, who has previously declined interview requests from The Oklahoman and other news outlets. Another attempt by The Oklahoman to talk with Bomar was declined Wednesday, through coach Todd Whitten at Sam Houston State, where Bomar is trying to revive his career.
Along with the story, Bomar was scheduled to be the subject of a segment of Wednesday's edition of "Outside the Lines” on ESPN. That show was pushed back to Friday at 2:30 p.m. to accommodate a special program dedicated to former Grambling coach Eddie Robinson, who died Tuesday.
Quinn also spoke out this week, telling the Tulsa World that he understood what he and Bomar did was wrong, but said their dismissal was extreme when players "are breaking laws and failing drug tests and stuff like that, and there's nobody getting kicked off the team for that type of stuff.”
Bomar told ESPN.com that when he started at Big Red, his intentions were pure.
"I worked there in the summer all the time,” Bomar said. "People might not think (that), but we actually did work. It was the other stuff that got us in trouble.”
Stuff arranged by then Big Red manager Brad McRae.
"We didn't have a scheme,” Bomar said. "... The scheme was basically not to be there. And Big Red knew. Brad McRae knew about it. It was basically, ‘Don't worry about coming.'”
Bomar took responsibility for his missteps.
"Ultimately, it was my decision,” Bomar said. "And I got caught up in it. My actions, you know, are there. They are clear what happened. And so, I mean, I'll take full blame.”
The story focuses on the events that led to Bomar's departure from OU and on the effort to rebuild his career.
A few highlights:
•Bomar on the jersey he wore in the 2005 Holiday Bowl, where he was Most Valuable Player: "They said we could keep this. I'm glad I did. But I won't be wearing it anytime soon.”
•Bomar on any advice he'd have for young players facing similar job opportunities: "Don't make the same mistake I made, because it's not worth it in the end. I know that for a fact. Just do what you're supposed to do, then leave. Don't get caught up with the wrong people. Don't listen. Don't let somebody tell you that this is what you can do. Just do your job and get out of there.”
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