Westbrook returns for awards
Jacksonville Jaguars receiver and former Oklahoma star Dede Westbrook was in Oklahoma City on Monday for the Sooners Choice Awards.
Just two days after being picked in the fourth round of the NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, former Sooners wide receiver Dede Westbrook was back in Oklahoma for the second Sooners Choice Awards, which were held Monday night at the Bricktown Events Center in Oklahoma City.
Westbrook was phenomenal for the Sooners as a senior, with 80 catches for 1,524 yards and 17 touchdowns and winning the Biletnikoff Award. But after the regular season, it was discovered that he had been accused twice of domestic violence, though he wasn’t convicted. That and his thin frame pushed him down draft boards before the Jaguars selected him. Westbrook talked to The
Oklahoman about his draft experience and the importance of making it back for the Sooners Choice Awards. Later in the evening, Westbrook was named the Male Breakthrough Athlete at OU for 2016-17.
Q: Why was it important for you to be back here in Oklahoma for this awards ceremony?
A: “It’s great. I was actually in Jacksonville (Sunday), and they were going to have me a bit longer, but we had to schedule around this event. It’s pretty special so I made special arrangements just to be back for this.”
What’s it like finally having the draft behind you?
“It feels great. I’m just glad it’s all over with. The stress is gone, and now it’s time to get back to work.”
How stressful was the process for you?
“It was very stressful. It was my first time going through it, so I really didn’t know what to expect. I talked to some people that’s been through it, like Sterling Shepard. He walked me through it every step of the way so he kind of made it a bit easier.”
What was the call like telling you that you had been picked?
“It was great. I was actually on my way from Dallas back to Norman. We had went out to celebrate the night before, but things kind of didn’t go the way that we thought they would so on a car ride back to Nor- man, I got the call. It was great to get that call and go and celebrate with my family.”
Were you disappointed that you didn’t get picked Friday?
“No. I just had to be patient. Everything happens for a reason, and maybe this was one of the reasons for this to happen so it’s all going to pay itself of.”
What are your first impressions of Jacksonville?
“They invited me up there for a visit. It was nice. I like it. It’s just a tad bit bigger than Norman, but it’s comfortable for me.”
What was it like to see your teammates like Joe Mixon, Samaje Perine and Jordan Evans drafted?
“It felt great. It felt as if I got drafted all over again and then for Joe (who was picked in Friday’s second round), it felt like I was the one that was getting that phone call because we share the same brotherhood. As soon as he got drafted, I tweeted him, telling him congratulations and I also sent him a text message.”
Have you talked to any of those guys since the draft?
“I actually talked to Joe (Saturday). He’s pretty pumped about Cincinnati just as well as I am Jacksonville.”