OU coach Bob Stoops upset over Zack Sanchez’s headband message
Oklahoma sophomore cornerback Zack Sanchez was one of the reasons Oklahoma was able to secure a 31-26 win against Texas on Saturday, but his under-helmet antics drew the ire of coach Bob Stoops.
Under Sanchez’s helmet, he wore a headband that read “B.T.P Frank Shannon” and his eye black read “Free BM.”
The act of protest might not have been a big deal had ESPN cameras not picked it up and flashed the headband for the world to see.
“They shouldn’t be, I don’t like that,” Stoops said after alerted to the issue on the Big 12 coaches teleconference. “I stand by the university and what we’ve done so that’ll be addressed.”
Shannon, the Sooners leading tackler a year ago, was suspended for the season following a Title IX investigation into the sexual assault of a female student.
“Free BM” was in reference to Baker Mayfield, a Texas Tech transfer that was denied immediate eligibility from the NCAA following his transfer despite the fact that he was a walk-on for the Red Raiders.
Saturday’s game wasn’t the first time Sanchez, who had an interception for a touchdown against Texas, had voiced his support for Shannon. Earlier this month he sent out a tweet in support of Shannon.
Stoops was asked during the teleconference whether players had any other outlet for making their feelings on team decisions known.
“No, nothing team related is to be made public, and that’s the same on Twitter, same on any social media, and I would regard that as social media,” Stoops said. “Team matters are to be with us. Period.”
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