OU football coach Bob Stoops feels state's pain after tornado

By ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer on May 22, 2013, at 2:30 AM??Updated on 5/22/13 at 3:37 PM

NORMAN - Bob Stoops, like many Oklahomans during Monday's deadly tornado, watched the tragic event unfold via television.

In the aftermath, Stoops felt anguish for his community.

"Any loss of life is terrible, but it's even more heartbreaking any time you know that children were among those who perished or were seriously injured," Stoops said.

Nine of the 24 fatalities reported by mid-afternoon on Tuesday were children.

The Oklahoma football coach spent part of his Tuesday meeting with displaced families from Moore.

"Just thinking about these so many families that are devastated," Stoops said during an ESPN interview. "This will be a long-term effort to get everyone back on their feet."

Stoops said none of his players or families have been affected, but OU graduate assistant Corey Callens and assistant strength coach Rodney Rideau had their homes destroyed.

The Oklahoma coach monitored the storm in the school's football offices while keeping close contact with loved ones.

"My family actually saw the tornado coming from the west from our back window, literally a mile away," Stoops told ESPN on Tuesday. "It crossed just north of us, just about a mile from our home, which again is on the north edge of Norman."

OU housed more than 100 affected individuals on Monday, as well as members of the national guard.

The university is also providing meal service and a common area for displaced individuals at Couch Cafeteria.

OU also announced it has been advised by local relief agencies that the best way to help disaster victims is to text RED CROSS to 90999 to give $10 or go online to make a donation at tulsaworld.com/redcross

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Eric Bailey 918-581-8391
eric.bailey@tulsaworld.com

Original Print Headline: Stoops feels state's pain

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Source: http://www.tulsaworld.com/article.aspx/OU_football_coach_Bob_Stoops_feels_states_pain_after/20130522_29_B3_NORMAN828327?rss_lnk=1

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