Stoops on Flight with Navy's Blue Angels

NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma head football coach Bob Stoops went up with the Navy's Blue Angels Wednesday afternoon. Stoops took off from the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Fort Worth, Texas.

The hour-long flight began at 2:30 p.m., and was piloted by Kevin Davis, a 31-year-old Connecticut native. Here is a statement from Stoops that describes his ride:

On the flight...
“It was awesome. What an experience. The force and power in the jet and the precision and skill of the pilot are overwhelming. Kevin Davis was great to me. What an amazing guy.”

Photo Gallery of Coach Stoops with Navy's Blue Angels

On maneuvers...
“We started with a straight vertical climb up to 7,000 feet, and then we went out over what appeared to be some rural areas. We started doing some maneuvers flying upside down, getting right to the edge of mach speed and doing some loops.

"Then we did the cork screw vertical climb and nosedived into some turns. It was just amazing. The first few heavy G forces came during the Immelmann Turn. We were pulling 7.5 and 7.6, then we went into an MRT (minimal radius turn) and we pulled 7.8. He lost me there. You just black out for a second or two.

"(The pilot) was talking me through it the entire time. Of course, it doesn't faze them a bit. At one point, we were flying upside down at about 1,000 feet just hanging by our straps.”

On the Navy Blue Angels...
“I already appreciated our military, but being involved with something like this is more than you can describe. These people are incredible. Everything was so impressive. It's a special experience to spend time with the men and women in our military.”

On his stomach...
“I didn't have any problems, but I didn't think I would. I haven't had any trouble with my stomach over the years. I ate a club sandwich a couple hours before we went up.”

More Info: Navy Blue Angels

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Stoops on Flight with Navy's Blue Angels

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors