The Sooners Helping Sooners (SHS) fundraiser Barry Switzer and Friends, held at the River Spirit Casino in Norman, was a huge success. It was an evening of storytelling and a history lesson by some of the greatest Sooners to ever wear the Crimson and Cream. Joining Switzer was J.C. Watts, Bobby Womack, Billy Sims, Tony Casillas, Eddie Hinton, Tinker Owens, Bud Hebert and Joe Washington.
From the moment you entered the room you felt a special brotherhood as former teammates, coaches and personnel came together to help those in need.
The room was filled with multiple Super Bowl rings which just proved the collective determination of the crowd.
The banquet was full of laughter as Joe Washington told his story of getting hit in the head by the goal post during a recruiting trip to LSU.
“When I woke up I went to OU and I’ve never been back to Louisiana since,” Washington said.
Watts and Switzer talked about the beans and cornbread Mrs. Watts made for Coach Switzer on a recruiting visit to Eufaula.
Eddie Hinton played receiver for OU and was a first round draft pick to the Baltimore Colts. He spoke about catching passes from Johnny Unitas and winning the Super Bowl. Sims talked about how Switzer called him at work during halftime of the Sooners’ football game.
“I told him (Switzer) I know it’s close for you to go back on the field because I’m listening to the game on the radio and the coach said, “Were kicking their butts so bad it doesn’t matter. I want you to come to Oklahoma.”
Former players and coaches Jerry Pettibone and Jay O’Neal head the Sooners Helping Sooners program. Pettibone is the president and O’Neal acting vice-president of SHS.
The purpose of the organization is to help former University of Oklahoma athletes in several different ways including health issues, education, personal issues and em- ployment.
“This is our tenth year with the program and we have helped between 250 and 300 former athletes,” Jerry Pettibone said.
Jakie Sandefer is the founder of Sooners Helping Sooners. He was very successful playing on teams that went 30 and 2, winning three conference championships and two Orange Bowls. For years after his playing days, Jakie was a huge supporter of OU athletic programs and extremely helpful in recruiting some of the best football players to ever appear on the Gaylord Family field. He continued his passion for helping young athletes after their playing days by finding gainful employment for some in need. Due to the changes in employing people with all the intensive vetting procedures, it was necessary to formalize Jakie’s efforts with the creation of Sooners Helping Sooners, Inc.
“It’s really all about contacts. We are very fortunate to have so many former athletes that attended the University of Oklahoma that have gone on to be very successful in their jobs but still needed help,” Jay O’Neal said.
Former football Riley Nolan had this to say about Sooners Helping Sooners after they helped him: “I first heard about Sooners Helping Sooners through Tinker and Steve Owens and after being introduced I was brought in for an interview. I never knew my life would be entirely changed by the SHS staff that was so eager to help me and other former student athletes.
With the opportunities that SHS provided, I was able to transform my life with an incredible job and developed a network of people I can turn to at any time. A huge thank you to the entire Sooners Helping Sooners organization including Jerry Pettibone, Jay O’Neal and Pam Kelleher and all of those working behind the scenes who allowed me a voice and a place to display my skills in front of business professionals and companies alike.
Similar to my career in football, SHS took a chance on me and I was able to succeed due to the fact that I had these amazing people in my corner. Thanks to this incredible experience my life is forever changed. I am inspired by Sooners Helping Sooners and one-day plan to give back to the people who have provided me with the opportunity that changed everything. I encourage all former athletes who feel as though they have no other option to give SHS a call.”
“You can’t beat a better pair of men to head up such an organization than Jerry Pettibone and Jay O’Neal,” said two-time national champion Rusty Griffis.
O’Neal played at the University of Oklahoma in the mid ’50s on teams that went 31-0 and won two National Championships. He coached at OU for seven years for Bud Wilkinson and Gomer Jones and scouted for the San Diego Chargers of the AFL. O’Neal never lost a game in college or high school.
Pettibone played at the University of Oklahoma for Bud Wilkinson in the early 60s and coached at OU for 12 years for Jim McKenzie, Chuck Fairbanks, and Barry Switzer. Jerry was the recruiting coordinator for the 197475 National Championship teams. He also was on coaching staffs at Southern Methodist University, Nebraska and Texas A&M. He was the head football coach at Northern Illinois and Oregon State for six years each. For over ten years he has run a football evaluation business helping high school football players find colleges where they can compete. Pettibone helped recruit Heisman Trophy winners Billy Sims and Mike Rozier.
“Coaches Pettibone and O’Neal have done a lot of good through Sooners Helping Sooners,” two-time Orange Bowl MVP, J.C. Watts said.
The program has helped countless players throughout the years.
“Another example is a former player that left early for the NFL broke his leg three days before he could have drawn his NFL pension. He contacted us and we were able to get him enrolled in school in order for him to get his degree and he did and he is now an assistant college football coach,” Pettibone said.
“Jerry and I are just happy to be able to help and see the happy endings that this program can attribute to,” O’Neal said in closing.
For more information on Sooners Helping Sooners, Inc. please contact 405-236-1636.
