OU lineman quits to join Marines
OU lineman quits to join Marines

Comments Comment on this article48

By Scott Wright
Published: June 17, 2008

NORMAN — Some Oklahoma football players might liken strength and conditioning coach Jerry Schmidt to a military drill sergeant. Now Britt Mitchell can make a first-hand comparison.

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The freshman offensive lineman left the Sooners late last week and has enlisted with the United States Marine Corps, OU sports information director Kenny Mossman confirmed Tuesday.

“He has the coaching staff’s full support in pursuing something that has been attractive to him for some time,” Mossman said.

Mitchell, a 6-foot-6, 311-pound freshman tackle from Roscoe, Texas, enrolled at OU in January and went through winter and spring workouts with the team. He had begun summer training with Schmidt before deciding on a military career.

Mitchell’s departure won’t have a major impact on the Sooners. He was the least-recruited of OU’s three offensive line signees in February and was one of the lowest rated players in the 21-man signing class, according to Internet recruiting services Rivals and Scout.

However, offensive line depth could become an issue in the future. OU has five full- or part-time starters who will be seniors this fall.


 

Related Topics: Sports, Football, U.S. Armed Forces Activities, College Athletics, College Football, U.S. Marines Activities

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"People are strange."
Jim Morrison
Roger, Keller - Jun 27, 2008 at 11:48 am
Strange.
Chad, Frisco - Jun 23, 2008 at 10:21 am
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J...I'm thinking that some resentment was made because of Britt's decision to join the Marines and in the same article, stating that he wasn't at a level to be a loss to the Sooners. While I'm not totally certain, I can see where that might touch off some admirers to Mitchell's choice. And I do see that newspaper article as stating the facts as well. I'm under the impression that the article was not to denegrate Britt in any way. There were some "shaded" comments however, specifically... "OU retard comes out of the closet to go murder innocent women & children" that I personally took exception to. Perhaps I may be a bit thin-skinned, but really don't see a need for those posts that are hateful in every sense of the word.. That's my issue; the sadness comes from those types of subsequent posts...
Philip, West Windsor - Jun 20, 2008 at 8:54 am
Philip, what exactly is the issue here? A guy writes an article that states nothing but facts and gets ripped for it. Sounds to me people are jumping very quickly to join in. Wish the kid good luck, but I'm not going to go pounding my chest and get all pissed off because some writer writes the truth. Just look at Chris from Jones. This idiot jumps so quick he doesn't even realize what he's going off about. This is exactly what I'm talking about. Looks like a bunch of people just itching for a little excitement in their lives. To be quite honest, it's really sad.
J, mwc - Jun 20, 2008 at 7:58 am
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I, too, share frustration with our politicians, and voice displeasure with most of their policies and misdirection. Didn't know that was the issue here. I merely thought we were commenting, with the exception of a few here, in support of our troops,specifically, Britt's individual decision, not governmental policy. That stated, whether we are able to make changes from behind our desks, or in the field, so be it. De Oppresso Liber
Philip, West Windsor - Jun 20, 2008 at 6:40 am
AMEN G, AMEN!!!
J, mwc - Jun 19, 2008 at 2:11 pm
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I've worked for the USG for over 10 years and can assure you this manufactured, never-ending "war on terrorism" lines the pockets of thousands of defense contractors, retired officers, and politicians and provides a negative return on investment. It infuriates me to see our dollars, soldiers, and national image going to waste while levees are breaking, and our bridges and economy are crumbling. So you can keep throwing out little patriotic catchphrases about flags and guns and I will get back to serving the country and trying to create change from the inside.
G, Oklahoma City - Jun 19, 2008 at 11:44 am
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Why is this such a big deal? It's a freakin newspaper article which happens to say nothing that is not true. Calm down all you drama queens. (I guess this now makes me unamerican, right?? lol )
J, mwc - Jun 19, 2008 at 8:51 am
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TU, your an embarrassment to all that exist. As long as you continue with that attitude, my dogs diarrhea will have a greater value than your life has.
Joshua, norman - Jun 18, 2008 10:22 AM

Couldn't have said it any better.

As for G, you will never understand what it means to serve until you do. Before I went into the military I thought I knew what it meant to be a patriot, but after serving it means so much more. Welcome to the club Britt.
michael, shawnee - Jun 19, 2008 at 7:56 am
Those freedoms that G refers to are rights that we all are given through the courage and sacrifice of our service people. If that is ever in question, I suggest that those that feel that our freedoms of today just happened to take place, expand your range to foreign countries to realize how those sacrifices made us the Land Of The Free.. De Oppresso Liber
Philip, West Windsor - Jun 19, 2008 at 7:33 am
Good luck, Britt in your endeavor and for attitude toward service.

As for you Tu, find the nearest bridge and take a flying leap. It will raise the IQ of the state.
John, Destin - Jun 18, 2008 at 7:28 pm
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Why do the same commenters on here that bash politicians relentlessly believe it is the ultimate patriotism to join the armed services and let the same politicians decide their fate? Blind devotion is not patriotism.
G, Oklahoma City - Jun 18, 2008 at 5:40 pm
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oh wait...they're on the OTHER article about this same story...my bad.
Chris, Jones - Jun 18, 2008 at 12:44 pm
The thing that pisses me off about this, besides tuRD'S comments, is that someone has come on and wiped out a BUNCH of the first comments that were slamming the writer, Scott Wright, for being such a d*bag for saying that Britt wasn't much of a loss for OU...put them back up you commie bastards!!
Chris, Jones - Jun 18, 2008 at 12:42 pm
patti rhymes with fatty
tu, Oklahoma City - Jun 18, 2008 at 12:38 pm
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see you at pride russel! don't forget the ice!
tu, Oklahoma City - Jun 18, 2008 at 12:37 pm
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T. A., Moore - Jun 18, 2008 at 12:19 pm
T. A., Moore - Jun 18, 2008 at 12:17 pm
G, you mean "far more honorable" like putting on a pink tee shirt and making an ass of yourself on a Berkeley sidewalk? Not hardly.
T. A., Moore - Jun 18, 2008 at 12:16 pm
G and tu, there is not any higher honor than to write a blank check to your country that includes up to giving your life. Some of us on this board know it and even if not cashed in full, there is still a significant cost. Both of you need to go do something where your last words are "Hey watch this" so we can nominate both of you for a Darwin Award. You're written thoughts really have proven his point about the necessity to thin the gene pool occasionally. Semper Fi, MISTER Mitchell
Robert, Dallas - Jun 18, 2008 at 12:16 pm
The fact is that as disgusting as tu's statement appears, this article isn't much better. Since when do "least recruited" and "lowest rated" fall into the category of honoring this young man's decision to join the Marines? Maybe tu works for the Daily Okie Dokie staff. As for Britt Mitchell, all I can say is thank you and God Bless.
T. A., Moore - Jun 18, 2008 at 12:15 pm
tu, you're a disgusting human being. Maybe you should find another country to call home. You don't deserve the freedoms this country allows. One of which is to be the ass you most certainly are.
ROBERT, TULSA - Jun 18, 2008 at 11:49 am
I recommend you all become familiar with the story of Pat Tillman. There are thousands of more honorable ways to serve your country than grabbing a gun and blindly following orders from politicians.
G, Oklahoma City - Jun 18, 2008 at 11:46 am
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ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha my god you "people" are cartoons!
tu, Oklahoma City - Jun 18, 2008 at 11:40 am
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I know that responding to Tu is a waste of time. For all the informed and true Americans, please, let's not get any more disturbed by this moron. (or Das for that matter) Tu, obviously, has never had to hear a true hero beg to help him as he drew his last breath. Until he has been there, or can truly appreciate those that have served to allow him to live in the Land Of The Free, let's all focus on the good. I often wonder exactly Tu would be doing at this point had freedom not been won by our "brainwashed" Nation in the Nazi Era. God bless us all....
Philip, West Windsor - Jun 18, 2008 at 11:13 am

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