I haven’t always understood the subtleties of football in Oklahoma but luckily my dad was a Sooner Fan. He had to explain to me while I was still young what a Sooner was and how we got that name but I’ll spare you all that. When we lived in Centrahoma he listened to the OU games on the radio. That was a long time ago, but heck, I figured if he was an Oklahoma football fan, then so was I.

When they gave scores from other teams and named places such as Coalgate and Lehigh, why I knew where it was and I pulled for them, too. Sometime later in my life I learned they were speaking of universities of those names, not the two towns in Coal County. But as always, most of my friends knew I was a little slow.

In 1944 my world changed. My family moved up Highway 3 to Stonewall. They took me with them and at the ripe of age of 8 and I soon found out Stonewall schools had a football program. It wasn’t on the radio, but it was, after all, football. Gerald, my much wiser older brother, was in the 8th grade and he joyfully let us all know that now he too could play this mysterious game. And he did.

The very next summer I rode my bike down to the football field. Lot trucks there, men working and D. D. Duke, the superintendent watching. A satisfied look on his face. I went over and asked: “Getting new lights?” He looked over and said, “No, we’re taking ‘em down.” There will be no more football in Stonewall. Gerald was crestfallen but that was it. All our uniforms and equipment were hauled over to Sulphur and that’s why the kids at the school for the deaf wear green to this day.

So, I grew up a Sooner Fan and remain that way. But last Saturday was the last home game and you may know that my Sooners have been pretty bad this year. In fact, I was disgusted and disappointed after we virtually gave a “won” game to Missouri a week ago. But that was then. I had mentioned that I would love to see the OU/Alabama game so I put on my “lucky” socks and other regalia knowing full well that Alabama would just trounce us. As we drove out of Allen, I was sullen and quiet.

Once inside the stadium (The Palace on the Prairie) things were normal. I sat there like a toad. Not much joy. The OU band came out and tooted out a lackluster national anthem and so forth. The game started and we drove the field, fumbled away the ball and I sighed so loud that people 15 rows down turned around to see if I needed CPR. We let the dreaded Tide push us around for a bit and gave them an easy field goal. We got a chance to even us up and missed an easy shot. “Oh boy, I thought. Samo Samo.” I thought about taking up cussing and just go home. But I didn’t.

Little did I know, but the worm had turned. OU came alive and, well, the rest is history. We gave them a trouncing and even stormed the field and tore down the goal posts. Our losing streak was done with. I hope. I was so happy I forgave Mr. Duke for abolishing football and band over at Stonewall. Well, sort of. Next week we travel to LSU (aka Death Valley) full of hope, charm and vinegar. Maybe we can catch them by surprise. And yes, I’m still learning about football even if Lehigh and Coalgate don’t play college ball.

Have a good week and be sure and go to church Sunday.

Wayne Bullard, DPh

cwaynebullard@gmail.com