Tom Wort Reflects On Honoring Austin Box

News9.com

NORMAN, Oklahoma – During OU's season opener Saturday the team paid a special tribute to late teammate Austin Box, a tradition that will continue all season.

"This is a special moment to being the first one to wear my friends jersey," said linebacker Tom Wort.

Wort was the first person on the team to be asked to wear the No. 12 jersey in honor of Box.

Related Story: Sooner Fans Mourn The Death Of Austin Box

The jersey will be worn by a different defensive player each game day throughout the season. Quarterback Landry Jones and linebacker Travis Lewis will choose which player will wear the jersey each week.

Wort led the team on the field Saturday and Box's presence was known as the entire stadium erupted with loud cheers for the tribute.

"To come out like that and get that kind of reaction from the crowd, I'm an emotional guy and you can't expect anything more than when it's that loud and that many people are cheering for one or our fallen comrades," said Wort.

Each week, one day before the game it will be announced which player will honor Box by wearing his jersey, something no one takes lightly.

"It's just something I'm not going to forget."