Army Maj. David Goscha has a favor to ask Bob Stoops. Goscha is an OU alum and football fan who is stationed at Fort Hood, in the Texas hill country north of Austin. He's a chief in the Army's operational law division.
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Goscha's request? He would like the Sooners on Saturday to offer a helping hand up to Robert Griffin III, anytime the Baylor quarterback is knocked to the ground.
Solid piece of sportsmanship anyway, but Goscha has a special reason for the display. He would like a simple salute to Griffin's father, Robert Griffin II.
Goscha returned in January from a 15-month tour in Iraq and, well, let's him tell the story in his words.
"During the deployment, my wife sought help with our son, Isaac, who was 12 years old at the time. He plays a lot of baseball on various travelling teams here in central Texas but has had a hard time improving his speed (he stomps when he runs).
"So while I was a half-a-world away, my wife became the stuckee for making sure my son kept up with his athletic training (as well as home-schooling our other two daughters). She sought the help of a retired soldier, coach Robert Griffin Jr., who trains young people in Copperas Cove, Texas, for a competitive track team.
"Coach Griffin not only took in my son and pushed him in speed training, but offered to work with one of my other daughters, Zoe, who was eight years old at the time.
"When I could not take care of my own kids, coach Griffin extended me a helping hand. For that random act of kindness, I am eternally grateful. It isn't surprising, though. Soldiers always help out each other. Coach Griffin has the reputation of helping out any young athlete that comes to him for help."
Gosch says he knows the gesture to Griffin's son only indirectly says "thank you" to Griffin, "but it shows him that he has already left a legacy to his son, a legacy of kindness and of helping others out when they are down. In a way, that legacy may be as important, if not more important, than leaving any amount of money to heirs. A good name is a great thing to pass on."
So there you have it, Sooners. Your mission on Saturday is two-fold:
1. Tackle Robert Griffin.
2. Help him up.
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Good story. Having recently retired from active duty in the Army, and having deployed several times, I understand where MAJ Goscha is coming from and the gratitude he feels towards a man (also a former Soldier) that helped his family when he wasn't able to do so. Those of you complaining about the article just don't get it, and probably never will.
I think it was a good story, newsworthy, and a great human interest article. I am just about tired of fans of sports being hard core calloused azz's. People, start giving others a break. Keep it up Berry
Nice story. Is it really news worthy? Why don't teams do this all the time? Why stop at the QB, why not all the players on the teams. Seems that we shouldn't single out any one player. Wouldn't it be better to help them all up? Maybe a good pad on the back and say "good play".
I don't mind the article at all, but please...the Oklahoman does not employ the best sports writers in the nation. Jess has it right...this sports page is almost entirely Op.Ed. and subpar Op.Ed. at that.
I'm from Oklahoma and I'm not ashamed of it. I read the Oklahoman because it's a good quick source of information for the local area. However, the sports writers on the staff are NOT the best in the country. They write on opinion, rumors and usually non-factual based stories. I would like to read more factual and better put together stories. Go out and interview people, do some digging. This was a good story however, anything that brings out the good side of sportsmanship is worthy of printing.
m, you're a useless twit. Not every sports story has to be about stats. It's refreshing to get the human side once in a while. Maybe that explains why you didn't like the story. Hmmm...
What a great idea! A show of kindness and respect on the field to ANY player is certainly to be considered sportsmanlike conduct -- but also as a tribute to a father who has set a fine example and a high standard -- that is especially meaningful. Thanks so much for sharing this uplifting story and worthy request.
Linda, Oklahoma City
Tramel is one of the best sports writers in the country. When you have to come up with 16 different ideas a week for 20 years I'm pretty sure you wouldn't even be able to come up with this. Besides, I think the deserves to be printed. If he doesn't print it, how else will anyone know about it? You think that letter actually got to Stoops? If you don't like the Oklahoma, go somewhere else. We don't need whiners. Oklahoma pride is bigger than you. Go climb back under whatever rock you came from.
The fact that behind every athlete there is a family with their own history and contributions to society may be "pointless"to m., but frankly I find it refreshing that every article does not have to be "sensationalism."
This was about the most pointless piece of "journalism" I have ever read. Is Trammel married to the Gaylord family, because he is the sorriest excuse for a sports writer in the country. I would rather read Mike Lupica than his crap.
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3) Gently carry him off the field
Linda, Oklahoma City