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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Sooner Report: Merry Christmas
December 25, 2014 | Football
Merry Christmas from the Sooners
Christmas is here! The Sooners are in day three of their stay in Orlando, which also happens to be Christmas day. On the schedule for the team is a two-hour afternoon practice followed by a Christmas dinner for players, coaches and staff.
Members of the team were asked to share some of their favorite Christmas memories growing up, some of the best gifts they have received and the best gift they have given or would like to give.
Favorite Christmas Memory
Linebacker Eric Striker:
“Around 1998, me and my brothers stayed up until around two in the morning. We finally went to sleep and when we woke up the Christmas lights were all lit up. There were no gifts when we went to sleep, but when we woke up we went out and peaked at the tree and saw the gifts and were like 'It's real!' So we walked out of our room, and I think my mom heard us, and we walked by the tree and started messing with stuff and my mom came out and said 'What are you all doing? Get back in the room!' My brothers and I instantly ran back into our room. I remember that vividly.”
Defensive End David Driskill:
“My favorite Christmas memory is every year we would do a similar tradition of waking up with the family and opening presents. Last year we watched one of my dad's favorite shows “Rumpole of the Bailey” as a family and that was pretty cool, just being together is always great.”
Center Ty Darlington:
“On Christmas Eve we always watch It's A Wonderful Life as a family. Last night was the first time I haven't watched it maybe ever, so that's a good memory. And then all of us kids would sleep in the same room, all seven of us, and then wake up really early to see what Santa brought us.
Offensive Tackle Daryl Williams:
“My best memory was getting engaged on Christmas.”
Williams' engagement story was included in a recent column by The Oklahoman's Berry Tramel, which can be found here.
Tight End Connor Knight:
“My favorite Christmas memory is probably decorating the tree with my mom.”
Offensive Guard Nila Kasitati:
“Spending time with my family is my favorite Christmas memory.”
Favorite Gift Ever Received
Striker:
“The best gift I ever received was probably the Black Power Ranger. I was in love with the Black Power Ranger, so my mom got me this big Black Power Ranger that was probably about three feet tall, which was an action figure. That was probably the best gift I have ever received. I had a lot of good stuff, but I loved the Black Power Ranger.”
Driskill:
“When I was a freshman in high school I got my first shotgun and that was pretty cool. That was really nice.”
Linebacker Dominique Alexander:
“The best gift I ever received was my car, a 2011 Impala. They put a bow on it and put it in the garage. When they came and got me from school they opened the garage door and it was sitting in the garage.”
Darlington:
“I think when I was five years old me and my brother both got matching Michael Jordan jerseys and a basketball goal. That is probably the best gift I ever got.”
Knight:
“My first basketball goal is probably my favorite gift I ever received.”
Kasitati:
“A remote control car. I got it when I was seven years old and this remote control car was the baddest one I ever had.”
Best Gift Ever Given or Would Like to Give Someday
Striker:
“The best Christmas gift I would like to give to someone is just bringing joy and happiness to people.”
Driskill:
“The best gift I would like to give is like Striker said, spreading joy to others.”
Alexander:
“I got my girl a nice bracelet from Kay Jewelers and a nice necklace to go with it and earrings last year.”
Darlington:
“I would love to give my mom a car one day, that would be really cool, a Volkswagen Bug; she's always wanted one.
Kasitati:
“I would like to give my mom a car, or no, a house.”
Up Next
On Friday morning the Sooner players and coaches will visit the Give Kids the World Village in the morning. The Give Kids the World Village is a place where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong, cost-free fantasy vacations. Find out more by clicking here.
After the morning visit, the team will return to the practice field to prepare for the upcoming matchup against Clemson.
Players Mentioned
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