NORMAN — Casey Thompson got goosebumps, visible goosebumps against the sleeves of his crimson polo, as he spoke Wednesday inside Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
“I used to sit outside,” Thompson said, “and be like, ‘Man, I wonder what it’s like inside that facility.’”
Thompson was born and raised here. His dad, Charles, was a legendary Sooner quarterback. His brother, Kendal, also played quarterback at OU. But Casey? He was an outsider in his own backyard. He played three years at Texas and one at Nebraska — quarterbacking two of OU’s historic rivals.
Then came a short three-game stint last season at Florida Atlantic, where Thompson tore his ACL in a loss at Clemson.
Those three different roads, from Texas to Nebraska to Florida Atlantic, led Thompson back home. Hearing Thompson talk Wednesday, in his first media availability since transferring to OU, it was clear that suiting up for the Sooners was the only appropriate way to end his career. The only place that would tie all of the strings of his circuitous journey into a neat bow.
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That’s why, around the holidays, he gave OU coach Brent Venables a call. Thompson, who was in the transfer portal, told Venables he wanted to be a Sooner.
“I told him I just wanted to be back home,” Thompson said. “Allow me to be on the team.”
Thompson said he didn’t need any NIL guarantees or promises about his role.
“I grew up here, so no one has to sell me on the OU brand,” Thompson said. “No one has to sell me on the importance of Oklahoma football or what it means to this community and this fanbase.
“In my mind, in my heart I knew that I would like to be back here in Oklahoma if there was an opportunity.”
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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/casey-thompson-comes-full-circle-001221222.html
Author : The Oklahoman
Publish date : 2024-03-07 00:12:21
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