Toby Rowland 1-On-1 With Brent Venables

News9.com

NORMAN, Oklahoma – The OU football family has been through a lot in recent months, but defensive coordinator Brent Venables has also faced tragedy in his immediate family.

Shortly after OU linebacker Austin Box died from mixed drug toxicity on May 19 of this year, Venables lost his brother, who died from a seizure in Colorado.

In the midst of an already rough situation, former Sooner Brandon Everage drowned in a river in Texas just weeks later.

Venables said he and others affected by the tragedies have found comfort and strength in their support systems during tough times.

"I think for a lot of us, football is kind of our sanctuary," he said. "This will allow us to, at a time where you feel a little bit helpless and where you feel a little bit disconnected, I think now more than ever since we've been here, we need each other."

Toby Rowland spoke with Venables about what these individuals meant to him and OU football, as well as overcoming these misfortunes to prepare for the season at hand.