Admit it - you've made fun of Bob Barry's OU football broadcast. No, it isn't nice and no, we shouldn't make fun of him, but we've all done it. Nothing can be more frustrating than a crucial play during a critical game and you're stuck in the car, for reasons passing understanding, and have to listen to the radio broadcast.
But now comes the news that this will be Bob's last season. Soon we won't hear his spotters clearly trying to correct him as he gives us the wrong player names. We won't hear him mix up the downs and we won't ever hear Merv Johnson utter his immortal line "He really did Bob, he really did" after some commentary from Bob.
Just the same, we also won't hear his unbridled enthusiasm. His excitement when we gain a big first down, make a huge completion or Stoops runs one of his trick plays. We'll never hear him fumble over calling the yardage and players and finally just yell "TOUCHDOWN OKLAHOMA!".
TV broadcasts are supposed to be neutral but home school radio is partisan. It has always been and it should always be. It's for the fans and we want someone who is pulling for our guys. Bob may not have been at his best over the last few years, and he has frustrated me on more than one occasion, but he's fun. He's real and he's ours.
Now Bob, heads off into Sooner lore as another of the many legend's we'll pass along to future fans. Thanks Bob for all you've done and the pure love of sports you have shared with generation after generation. We appreciate it and no matter the jokes, we will miss you.
