Blackmon and a Sooner: A Bedlam tale
Bedlam oftentimes brings out the best in teams but the worst in people.
In case you hadn’t noticed, this rivalry can be a mean one.
But after Saturday night’s game, there was a moment on the Boone Pickens Stadium turf that shows the good that can come out of this hard-fought series. Chuck Bowman, who played at Oklahoma but may be better known for his Fellowship of Christian Athletes work, forwarded me an email that had been sent from Kent Bowles. Bowles oversees FCA in Norman and at OU, but he used to work in Ardmore and got to know Justin Blackmon, who went to Plainview High School.
I’ll let Bowles tell the rest of the story:
“As the game ended, I did what I normally don’t do. I acted like a coach and walked across the field shaking hands. My goal was to see Justin, and I had already made up my mind that if he didn’t immediately recognize me, I wouldn’t bother him.
“After a few minutes of wondering around, his eyes met mine and he was smiling from ear to ear at me. I hugged him and asked him how his mom and dad were doing in South Carolina. He said that they were great and that they were moving back to Ardmore soon. I told him that I was proud of him and that we were always pulling for him. He said that he knew that, and that he appreciated it a lot.
“Then as we hugged again, he said, ‘I love you,’ and I said, ‘I love you too.’ No big deal. Just a moment between two guys that found each other after a game, right? An FCA rep and an athlete.
“But the ‘feel’ of that moment was special. It was comfortable. It is amazing how God supersedes team lines, winning and losing, and any feeling of team pride that can stand between people in a pressure moment of sport. Justin was comfortable with me in that moment, and he trusted my words. Not because I was anything special to him and his daily life. It was because of our faith. It was because of the investment that (Stillwater FCA rep) John Talley continues to make in him at OSU and his comfort level with FCA.
“If I had told you that I told him I loved him, you would appreciate that and say that is an FCA guy being an FCA guy. But the fact that he said it first makes you and I realize our role. It is to build young men and women and invest in them before they are known as sports heroes.
“Justin Blackmon is special. He has made mistakes just like all of us do. His mistakes make him human. His ability to stand back up and be the young man that he was raised to be, tells us that he loves the Lord. It also tells us that myself, Randy Kendrix and John Talley were and are allowed to be a vital part of that raising.”
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Comments
I also noted that after the game Justin waited patiently for Coach Stoops to finish his on field interview, and then came up and shook his hand. Really a class act. I may not be an OSU fan, but now I’m certainly a Justin Blackmon fan.
This is an example of how OSU is building a program year by year. It’s about more than just wins and losses, it’s also about the character of the team.
What a great story. It really is incredible to think of these two men, in that environment, sharing these moments. Jenni, thank you for touching my heart once again.
This is a great story and shows what is REALLY important in life and I am so proud to be a JUSTIN BLACKMON fan!! So good to read a GOOD story especially with all the negative news going on!!
Really appreciate this story. Nice to hear the character development side of what’s going on. I agree with Eric’s comment above – this appears to be an important part of how OSU is building their program.
FCA has sent many collge players to the NFL where they continue to meet and pray in a large huddle in the center of the field after the game is over. They thank God for blessing them and watching over them during the game.
Too bad the TV cameras miss this telling scene, but the networks have moved on to the commercials and only the players know about the impact that FCA has had on them and their lives.
This is a great story to know God hasn’t been forgotten with the surroundings of the media, and fame. I personally know Justin and fellowship at Corinth Baptist Church of Ardmore, a leader and proud to know he keeps God in his life.
If we had 22 Justin Blackmon’s we’d sure be hard to beat, and we’re getting pretty close. I sure hope we have Mike Gundy around OSU for a long, long, long time. If we are so lucky we’ll have a great chance to win championships, but more importantly we’ll always be able to hold our Poke heads up high and be proud of our football team.
Thank you for sharing the story. I read the e-mail last night from Kent sent to John – This story happens over and over again and it has been a privelege to be a partas a spouse.
In my work there are 2 verses I share and John and I continue to share with the athletes. One is Genesis 50:20 – which is “god can use all negative for good to bring about a better purpose in your life” (my paraphrase)and Proverbs 24:16 which states that “fall down 7 get up 8″ that is the difference between a successful life and not.
thanks for sharing positive stories, our world/nation/state needs such. moreover, the christian community needs to be the “pied pippers” of “what is excellent” verses what is not!
Caryl Talley
Principal Lincoln Academy
District Homeless Liaison
Stillwater Public Schools