Sen. McCartney (OU) holds up an OU number one.
Zimmerman (OU)
The Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature passed a bill Friday morning banning former University of Oklahoma head football coach Lincoln Riley from the state of Oklahoma.
This bill, known as the “S.O.O.N.E.R.S.” Act of 2022, has much deeper intentions than defending the pride of OU fans across the state. Sen. McCartney (OU) wrote this bill to protect the resources of state-funded educational institutions. McCartney said that when Riley left, taking recruits and staff with him, it was at the University’s expense.
“Being a publicly funded institution, one of the two flagship institutions in Oklahoma, we need to have pride in our universities. We need to show support for our universities,” McCartney said.
Lincoln Riley did not uphold this pride.
“Coaches leave all the time, but they don’t leave in this manner. The way that he left was very disrespectful,” said McCartney.
The penalty outlined in the bill calls for the arrest of Riley if he chooses to enter Oklahoma. He would be released to the University of Oklahoma’s strength and conditioning coach, Jerry Schmidt, for punishment.
Though the bill is humorous, McCartney believes his bill carries a real impact.
“A lot of people are very upset with how the transfer portal is. A lot of people, even outside of our OU delegation, are upset with the way that Lincoln Riley handled himself,” McCartney said. “I’m here to protect the rights of all Oklahomans and the institutions that I have so much respect and admiration for.”
The senate passed the bill. However, it added an amendment. NBA player Kevin Durant, a former member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, will be included in the state-wide ban.
McCartney’s feelings toward the amendment are neutral.
“I feel it does take away from the seriousness of the bill because the NBA is different than the University of Oklahoma,” he said. “Nevertheless, the bill will move on to the house in hopes of “Securing Oklahoma Of Nefarious Egotistical Repulsive Schmucks.”