How OU football became 'a close team' this offseason after a health scare, tornado

NORMAN — Woodi Washington was going through his practice routine, as he'd done countless times in the past.

OU was nearing the end of a spring football practice on March 9, and Washington and his fellow defensive backs were doing a tug-of-war drill. But that's when the redshirt senior noticed his teammate, sophomore Gentry Williams, drop to the floor.

Williams suffered what OU head coach Brent Venables later described as "an exertional collapse," and he was ultimately transported to a local hospital for further care.

"We were doing drills and he just kind of fell out," Washington said. "It was crazy."

Fortunately, Williams was released from the hospital soon afterwards, and his teammates claim he's in good spirits as he prepares to return to the field. It was a scary moment for OU, but it's one that brought the team closer together.

"Gentry is a fighter," said junior linebacker Danny Stutsman, one of the numerous players who visited Williams at the hospital. "That's like our brother. So when something happens like that, it really hurts. But we know he's going to be strong.

"We were all at the hospital just helping our boy. That's really family."

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OU's boasts 35 newcomers on its roster this season. The Sooners have plenty of new faces in the mix, and they're tasked with building team chemistry as they prepare for the upcoming season.

And while it isn't an ideal way to bond, the group has grown closer this offseason thanks in part to numerous unforeseen circumstances.

Another example came on Feb. 26 when a tornado went through Norman. It destroyed numerous homes along the way, including one belonging to redshirt senior defensive lineman Kori Roberson.

Roberson was at home with his older sister and their three dogs when the tornado hit.

"It was very shocking and very quick," Roberson said. "At that time, I'm just trying to get my sister to safety, my three little dogs to safety. That was all that mattered at that point.

"I didn't really care about the house or anything else because all that could be replaced but not having a sister or anything can't."

Roberson, his sister and their three dogs were unharmed.

Their home, however, suffered significant damage to its roof, walls and windows. Items inside such as furniture, appliances and clothes were also destroyed.

But Roberson's teammates were there to help.

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The following day, numerous players went to Roberson's home after practice. They helped sort through the debris and brought Roberson and his sister food.

Senior defensive lineman Marcus Stripling also created a GoFundMe page for Roberson. The fundraiser has raised nearly $17,500.

OU even set Roberson up at Sooner Suites, a two-bedroom duplex cottage on campus, for the rest of the year while his house gets rebuilt.

"I want to thank my teammates and also my coaches again for helping out," Roberson said. "It meant a lot to me, me and my family. ... It feels good to be loved."

Williams and Roberson have bounced back from their respective setbacks thanks in part to their teammates, who've supported them every step of the way.

The Sooners have already bonded through adversity despite only being in the early stages of spring ball, and they hope that bond will get even stronger as the season approaches.

"This is a close team," junior defensive back Billy Bowman said. "We were close last year, but I think we have the chance to be even closer this year."

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football: Sooners' players grow closer after health scare, tornado