Smith returns to Sooners' sidelines

In his standout playing days at Oklahoma, tight end Trent Smith was known for his colorful locker room quotes. His speaking ability helped him land the job as sideline reporter on the OU radio broadcasts, replacing Mark Rodgers.

Hampered by injuries, Smith had a disappointing NFL career with only three receptions for seven yards in four seasons. After being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2003, he suffered a broken leg in a preseason game. He injured his shoulder while playing for the San Francisco 49ers.

Smith, who lives in Yukon and runs Sooner Medical Staffing, said he enjoys being back on the Owen Field sidelines. He brings a player's perspective to his new role, and has no plan to be objective or critical of his former teammates.

"I work for the best school in the history of the world,” he said. "And I don't have to hide the fact that I'm a huge homer.”

He said covering OU's 51-13 victory over Miami was particularly satisfying.

"Like many Sooner fans, I wanted to get the monkey off of our backs,” he said.

Smith, who has worked occasionally for the Sports Animal radio network, still has a lot to learn about broadcasting. His fourth-quarter interview with another former Sooner tight end, Keith Jackson, occurred during a Sooner scoring play.

"I have to work on my timing,” Smith said.

Rodgers, KOCO-5 sports director, was replaced because of politics at Sooner Sports Properties.

Renda Broadcasting, which owns OU flagship stations KRXO-FM 107.7 and KOKC-AM 1520, had a problem with Rodgers co-hosting a show for the Sports Animal, said Brian Barnhart, general manager of Sooner Sports Properties. KOKC recently started an afternoon drive sports talk show.