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Sooner Fans Famous

Posted: Nov 13th 2006 By: CMBurnham

NORMAN, Okla. ? There?s no denying it - Jim ?J. R.? Ross of World Wrestling Entertainment fame is a Sooner fan, born and bred.

Ross, a native of Westville, Okla., along with his friend ?Stone Cold? Steve Austin, former WWE wrestler, watched Saturday?s OU football game from the sidelines. While they were recognized by many spectators in the crowd by their faces, they blended in with the sea of OU crimson by wearing OU jackets.

Ross said following the Sooners has been easier lately, since he made Norman his home one year ago. Before then, he used to commute from Connecticut to games.

?I remember listening to my first OU game on the radio when I was 4 years old,? Ross said. ?I?m 54 years old, so I?ve been a Sooner fan my whole life.?

Austin, who now lives in Malibu, Calif., played football at the University of North Texas. However, he said he has also followed the Sooners for quite some time.

?I?ve been following the OU program since Barry Switzer coached ? he?s a legend,? Austin said. ?Right now, I?m here for the weekend visiting J.R., and I got to meet (head football) Coach (Bob) Stoops. It?s just fun.?

Ross, who wears an OU pin during the Monday night WWE show ?RAW,? said he also wears a ring from former Coach Switzer?s first national championship, which was a gift from his wife.

?I was supposed to fly to England today for our next broadcast, but I couldn?t miss the game tonight,? Ross said. ?So, I?ll fly out tomorrow, instead.?

Austin said while his wrestling and football days are behind him, he is now focused on an acting career. He said he appreciated the time he spent in Norman and at the OU football game.

?Everybody?s like a big family here,? Austin said. ?I?m impressed with the class of the program and the coaches. Any recruit coming here must love it.?

Ross said he plans to start in the restaurant business in the area, and he couldn?t be living in a better place.

?It?s hard to put into words how much you love your program,? Ross said. ?This is a great place to be. I liked it so much that I moved here. We?re real fans.?