From: The Ruff Family, Oklahoma
Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2003 10:52 PM

Hi Becky:

Been searching the web to find "The Boz." He did an interview this week with KFOR TV, Oklahoma City with former OU players and Barry Switzer. Just wanted him to know that an Oklahoma family of very avid OU fans for over 50 years thinks he is still the best, not only as a player but as a person. He apologized in that interview to all of us and the former players. He has nothing to apologize for. He is one of us and we are very proud of him and was when he was a player, never waivering in our support of him, then and now.

Thank you Becky for your site so we can let him know.

From: Murphy, Ross, Tulsa, OK
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2003 4:54 PM
Subject: Brian Bosworth
Just heard a live interview with Brian on a local radio station and was very suprised to hear a humble, low-key ex-jock that reflected on the mistakes he made while in college and the pros. He was apologetic for his behavour saying he was immature and not fully aware of the impact of his antics at the time. Since then he has realized his mistakes and done what he could to repair the damage. I was impressed and pleased to see him grow up.

From: Amsinger, Joe
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2003 12:10 PM
Subject: Clone
I couldn't stand the Bosworth song. I'm glad there's no more Bosworth.
Sincerely,
St. Louis Ram Fan

From: NinetySixDad@aol.com
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2003 4:36 PM
Subject: Just some redshirt freshman LB on OU's '84 team...
Very interesting information being shared about a man that inspired alot of kids and men young and old with his play. I was a big Oklahoma football fan and followed them in as great as detail as can be accomplished from western Pennsylvania and I will always remember the leadership and confidence that that guy brought to a football program that had underachieved for three consecutive years before he began playing.

I loved what he did for Oklahoma football.

wish him the best for the rest of his days.

From: John C in NYC
Sent: Sunday, September 28, 2003 1:21 PM

No question Brian Bosworth was one of the best college linebackers of all time. He peaked very early due to his injuries. It happens in football and also in life. There is no shame in anything he ever did. Anybody in his shoes would have done the same thing. You get a chance to get a truck full of money knowing that your body is starting to break down you do it and don`t look back, it's not wrong, it's very smart. Which is what he is. Brian will be a success in whatever he pursues. People are jealous of jocks that can think too. Don`t hate him, just wish him well. Save your hate for the atheletes who rape women in hotel rooms, who are involved in homicides and stonewall the investigation, who punch their teammates in the face so hard they fracture bones behind their eyes and the list goes on and on. The people who hate him need a lesson in football and in life. Just let it go man. As far as the infamous Bo Jackson tackle, give me a break! If you played any football or any other contact sport you realize that sometimes you have leverage and sometimes you don`t. When you come sideways at somebody and he`s going straight, he has the total advantage especially on a play at the goal line.

On a side note I saw Brian on a football show recently with his son and you could tell he`s a caring father. As a father of 4 myself I can tell. I also thought it was interesting when asked if his son would play football and Brian responded at once NO! How many one time athletes push their children into the arena for their own rewards not their kids. To Brian if you ever read this, rock on.

From: Mary Ann Long
Sent: Thursday, September 21, 2000 7:12 PM
Boz,
Saw him on the Best Damn Sports Show, still looking as handsome as ever. Did not like the way Tom Arnold treated him. I think Arnold stinks. With your knowledge of football, you would be a better host on that show. Arnold can read the news. Enjoyed all of his movies. You are the man, babe! Want to see more of him on the TV.

From: Will Clark
Sent: Sunday, September 21, 2003 11:00 PM
Subject: thoughts on the boz...
I love the Boz. I have read his book, and seen his best movie "Stone Cold"...in regards to his football career i feel nothing but sadness...he was built up so high, and i think thats y the fact that his body deteriorated and let him down is lost in the shuffle, so many ppl cast him aside for being a crazy steroid user who was over hyped...he had a good rookie year, and if you see old college games he played in you better believe a player like that was worth 11 million dollars...the Boz was the first of the new school of linebackers, the ray lewis and brian urlachers who are as fast as most running backs but double the size...it is unfortunate that his NFL career didnt fair as well as his college career, but the Boz played his heart out and played well beyond his physical shortcomings, and i wish him only the best...his fall may not have been as sudden or tragic or Bo Jacksons, but football fans were robbed as he was of some wonderful and exciting years that he never got to play....

Rick Ferrell, September 2003
jerk, jerk, and more jerk

Prentice Boyd, Las Vegas, August 2003
I have read all the comments about the"Boz" being a good person and very smart, but as a fan since the Seahawks started I do not care. I still feel that he is like a girlfriend that used us for money and the things that we could give her. Yes smart but still a user! He always knew he was hurt and could not play for long. So the hype was just a set-up to get us to believe. That will always hurt.

Paul Sylvester, September 2003
Hi. I do not see what the problem is with what he did. He was an athlete before his time. The Boz got paid for what he did in college. Just like the athletes of today (Labron James, a High School kid). Secondly if an owner is willing to pay it, why not!!!!!, would you turn down a raise?

Paul
Thanks Boz!

Christian Long, September 2003
Subject: I love the Boz!
Go Sooners!

Shelly Passmore, August 2003
Brian Bosworth is an extremely intelligent and talented individual. He will succeed in all that he does. He never settles for second best. To bad he got the raw end of too many deals. I personally thought not letting him wear his 44 while he was playing with the Seahawks was just wrong. They led him to believe he would be able to. Just because someone is outspoken does not make them a bad person. I think it makes them more likeable. You know what you get with them. There are too many phony people in the world. Thank God there are a few who dare to be different. The Boz has never done drugs or been arrested. He succeeded in school in football while maintaining his grades. And he graduated a year early. How many actually accomplished that in the 80's? Not many. He was smart enough to negotiate a great deal with the NFL and alot of people where jealous of that. I say if you can command it more power to you. He is a great role model for kids. He promotes individualality. More kids need to be leaders and not followers. It may keep them out of trouble. Bless you Boz!!

Darryl NYC, August 2003
Brian Bosworth is, was and will always be my favorite player ever. He played Linebacker with a ferocity and brilliance that had he stayed healthy would have amazed many. Look at his career at Oklahoma and you will see Excellence. He inspired me to play Linebacker even though I was only 5 foot 9. I also wore 44. And he will always be immortalized in email address.

44 RULES.

Trent D. Dunn, July 2003
I wanted to add a few thoughts to your page concerning Brian Bosworth. As a young teenager growing up in Oklahoma in the early 80's, I was certainly in awe of this guy. The Boz was larger than life, he was talented, smart, dynamic, & completely obsessed with winning. His style of play motivated his teammates, Sooner fans, and everyone that crossed his path. As a person, he was a person worthy of emulation. Let's not forget that he graduated with honors in 3 years at OU! He was, and is, very savvy in business and negotiations. He knew that getting kicked off the Sooner team would affect his bargaining position with the NFL, so he got Barry Switzer to reinstate him as a player, even though they had agreed secretly that he would never play for the Sooners again. Knowing that his shoulder injury would probably be have a career-ending impact, he negotiated with the Seahawks for guaranteed money, which almost never happens in the injury-laden NFL!

As a person, let me give you the perspective of a 15 year old, which I was when I first met him. He had a teammate that was a former player at my high school. During a visit to 'Bud Hall', the players dorms, there was an amazing amount of alcohol, drugs, and girls. Brian, to his and his parents credit, never drank, never took drugs, and had a steady girlfriend throughout his career at OU. I sat with him for almost an hour on a Spring Saturday night when "The Boz" could have been anywhere he wanted to be, with anyone he wanted to be with. Brian sat with me and listened to me talk about high school football, my hopes and aspirations. He told me that I could use him as an example, and I did. When newspapers were reporting that he was spotted at a bar getting into a fight, he was in his room studying for exams. When the sports reporters were talking about his haircut, he was at the stadium, putting his body through additional training such as running stadium stairs for an hour at a time. Brian challenged me to keep my body clean, my mind sharp, and not to rely on sports for a successful life. I went through high school with almost a perfect GPA. I did get a football scholarship to a smaller college, but I also received scholarships for my grades, which I was more proud of than the football scholarship. Brian Bosworth's challenge to be a 'whole person' made a difference in my life. He could have sat down with me that night and offered me a beer and told me about how being a superstar athlete meant that all the girls wanted him and alumni boosters were pushing envelopes of cash into his hand. Instead, he showed me his transcripts and told me that he stayed in Norman each summer so that he could workout at a world-class facility and also take additional classes, so that he could graduate early and possibly get a second degree in his fourth year.

Let the critics talk about his haircut, the headbands, the infamous 'NCAA' t-shirt, the movies, Bo Jackson, etc. I like my memories better! Brian, if you ever read this.....Thanks, you've truly made a difference. I hope you see that your biggest impact might not have been on an inside blitz!

I should say that I am also a lifelong fan of the Seahawks. I started playing football as a youth in Anchorage, Alaska. When we decided on the name Abbott Loop Seahawks, our coach called the Seattle Seahawks and they sent us helmet decals, socks, and wristbands. It was great being the best-dressed team around. So, I'm a die-hard Seahawks fan, I even voted for Steve Largent for Congress when I lived in Tulsa! Have a great day.

makeyoupunt@aol.com, July 2003
The first time I met Brian he was a Freshman. He was one of the friendliest people you would have met. I was on and off the OU campus from the time I was 12 with my dad who coached in Oklahoma. I have seen a lot of players come and go but Boz was one of the best. He did put on a show and he got his money up. He is one of the best to ever play the game. I have not seen him in a long time. Don't know if he would even remember me or not. He was always good to me and had time to talk. I did not matter if I was the snot nose kid dreaming of playing or on a recruiting trip.

Alex Wellinghoff, January 2003
The Boz, I consider him to be a great college linebacker. Although, when he got to Seattle things just went south. Boz had the attitude for the NFL, but his body couldn't take it. He had a bullseye on his chest the day he joined the Seahawks. Also, his words saying he was going to destroy John Elway and Bo Jackson in those games just set him up. He was a more prized target for opponents than a MVP Quarterback. That's what did the Boz in.

Vern J. Hansen, February 2003
My contempt for the man goes back to the game in which he was not allowed to play because of the steroid thing. I don't remember which game it was (Orange Bowl, maybe?) Seems as though it was for the National Championship, but it has been a lot of years, and all I recall is Bosworth's behavior.

He was allowed to parade up and down the sidelines wearing a tee shirt on which he had printed NCAA, National Communists Association of America.

The high school band from my home town of Stanton, Michigan was invited to perform at half-time. They held baked goods sales and concerts and worked for a year in order to raise money to pay their way to the game and were scheduled to perform at half-time.

None of the half-time festivities were shown on TV. All that we got to see was Bosworth parading around and mouthing off and a half-time devoted almost exclusively to talking to and about him.

I did manage to get a peek from an end zone shot and I saw the left sleeve of a band member's green uniform. I don't hate the man but I was pleased when he didn't last all that long in the NFL. Then of all things he goes to Hollywood. Is there no justice in this world?

There are millions of us who were never as good an athlete as Bosworth but we performed to the best of our ability and went about it without any fanfare. You must remember, everything you say and do has an effect sometime, somewhere on someone else's life. Even the high school band from Central Montcalm high school in Stanton, Michigan was affected by Bosworth's behavior. By the way, in 1951 we were champions in football (7-1), basketball (22-1) and track and field (undefeated) and we did it without steroids or pep pills.

Ric Perkins, April 2003 -- Oklahoma City, OK
To correct Vern Hanson. The NCAA shirt The Boz wore was National Communists Against Athletes.

Steve, January 2003 -- From a BIG Oklahoma Sooner fan
I think he was the best that ever played the game of college football, no one will ever come close to what he did on the football field. He could have done the same in NFL but I think what happened to the Boz was no accident, he knew what he was doing and went for the money.

Mike, January 2003
The Seattle Seahawks trainer at the time wrote a book that is in book stores right now. In a game against the Washington Redskins, he [Bosworth] hyperextended his shoulder on a tackle. X-rays revealed severe arthritis. The next season, he had artritis in his other shoulder. He never recovered. He flunked the physical, and was forced to retire.

In my opinion, had he not been injured, he would have a been an excellent player. His downfall was his injury.

Follow-up from Mike D'Innocenzio, January 2003
I am the biggest Boz fan in the world. The Doctor said he had the shoulders of a 60 year old man. What is interesting is that He took out a Loyd's of London insurance policy and when he was released, it should have kicked in. Instead it turned into a court battle because they claimed that he had the diseaase arthritis and that it wasn't an injury. He ended up getting his money but without the interest. I'll find out the name of the book for you. It's written by the Seahawks trainer. It's in the bookstores right now. [Note: Playing hurt: Evaluating and treating the warriors of the NFL.] Inside the NFL did a piece on him also several years back. I can tell you about that if you wish. I even have it on tape somewhere.

Aaron DeLeon, January 2003
I can tell you the truth about Brian Bosworth...My uncle as well as Sonny Brown were recruited along with Bosworth by Barry Switzer. They were great players. Brian created "The Boz" as a tool to put himself on the line and his ability on the line. He was a great college linebacker as his stats display. People forget how "THE BOZ" was born. He talked about winning before the games, so he put his abilities and rep on the line for the media before the big games even took place and he followed through. The Boz never choked!! The run that Bo Jackson made, it was from the 2 yard line, and Brian had to come across the field [the play was away from him, so he eluded the blockers], still made the play, yet Bo Jackson had momentum in which Brian still tackled him.

About his injury, if you can go back the 86' national championship, [Sonny Brown, MVP,from Alice, Tx], Brian made a awsome hit [you could hear the hit to the top of the stands], on a 240lb fullback that sent the fullback backwards. On that play Brian hurt his shoulder, thus a doctor prescribed a steriod-based medication to heal the shoulder quicker in the spring of '86. You have to remember he was a 20 yr old kid on a national championship team, and did what he was told. The shoulder never healed correctly thus the arthritis building and causing it harm rather than it healing properly. It was legal to take the steriod medication treatment before the season of '86 began, but when he was tested, in December of that year, the NCAA ruled he was on steriods. I know people who played with him, and he did not take steriods; he was that good. The shoulder injury caused him to retire and yes, did leave a lot of unanswered questions and I believe basically that what fans wanted from "THE BOZ" couldn't get no more after his retirement. The hype, the trash talking, the putting all on the line that the Boz brought to the table was there no more for the fans, the media, and the haters. It's going to be interesting to see what happens to Ray Lewis in the near future, he suffered the same shoulder injury as the Boz did. Ray could not be able to come back, but it is yet to be seen. Remember, before 'primetime','The Rock', or any of those persona types, the first was 'THE BOZ'.....

Mike, January 2003
Hi Becky,

Yeah, Boz did the XFL games for TNN. He was a 'tell it like it is' type of person on the air. He essentially was the 'Boz'.

His movies after Stone Cold were 'One Man's Justice' 'Back In Business' 'Virus' 'Blackout' The Operative' 'Mach II' and 'Phase IV'. I have every one but 'Phase IV. I have five of his movies on DVD. It's hard for me to tell you if they are worth watching because I'm a big fan of his, so I'm gonna tell you they're good. He also had a tv series called 'Lawless' which didn't last long. He also was on Nash Bridges for one episode. Oh yeah, he was in 'Three Kings' with George Clooney. He was in at the very end arresting somebody.

Click here to read more about The Boz!