Open letter to Oklahoma Sooners fans

On Thursday, many of you probably read The Oklahoman article, Juarez violence sparks Sun Bowl fears for OU fans, that we linked to on elpasotimes.com.

In response, I wrote a letter to Oklahoma fans that The Oklahoman ran in their sports section today. You can read it here: An open letter to OU football fans.  

My e-mail box has been flooded today, and I wanted to share some of those e-mails with you. (e-mails edited for length.)

B.J. Bergner writes:

I am a current law student and graduate of the University of Oklahoma, and I wanted to thank you for your open letter to OU fans which was published in the The Oklahoman today. ... Having never been to El Paso, I would love to make the trip and see a fine city and what I hope will be a great football game, but as a student, I simply can't afford to make the trip this season. 

One of my classmates is an El Paso native who loves his hometown. After reading The Oklahoman's article about many OU fans not making the trip due to safety concerns, he was very offended.  He was disappointed so many people would make assumptions without knowing anything about the city. ... I would like to also apologize on behalf of those Sooner fans. ... I hope the fans who do make the trip can tell others of positive experiences while visiting El Paso so that they may quiet the myths and cause people to see El Paso for the city it is. 

Tim Griffin of ESPN.com writes:

Really enjoyed your piece in the Oklahoman this morning. Those fans in Oklahoma don't know what they are missing.

I've made countless trips all around the country over the years to various games around the country. And one of my favorites is still El Paso.

And you are right about Kiki's. One of the best Mexican restaurants I've ever been to.

You guys should have a good game this year. Enjoy it.

Jerry Townley writes:

This is a great letter! People would be better off with the facts rather than the "rumors"!

I'm a Sooner fan for over 60 years now and I hope my bretheren will heed your advice and show up, enjoy the culture of El Paso, enjoy the delicious food you describe and hopefully witness a Sooner victory.

Matt Van Every writes:

I wanted to tell you how much I was touched by your article.  I could feel your genuine love of El Paso and it makes me want to come to visit.

Although I'm a huge OU fan, I will not be coming for the bowl.  Unfortunately I've never been able to see my beloved Sooners in any bowl. Nothing against El Paso, Miami, Phoenix or any other destination. It's just never been in the cards financially.

That being said, I hope to come to El Paso sometime and maybe try some of those fries with chili con cueso.  As a former San Diegan myself (North County, Encinitas area) I love border towns and find it regrettable that criminals have given them a bad name.

Sheryl Haskins writes:

Thanks so much for your article. I've been hearing so many horror stories about El Paso. All places can be scary if you have not been there before. I was born in El Paso years ago when my dad was in the service. We left when I was about 2 and haven't been back since. I've always wanted to go back to visit. I was glad when this opportunity came up and was looking forward to it. But lately I was starting to regret that we had signed up for the game because of the stories not because I was disappointed in the team. We always follow the team wherever they go.  

Thanks again for your article and I'm now again looking forward to it.

Thanks Sooners fans for all the e-mails. Sorry I couldn't reprint them all. And welcome to El Paso!

Comments

[twitter.com/elpaso411]

Great article! I think the game will have a great attendance either way. Thanks for writing in!

[Fernando]

Great letter Jay. You said what many of us feel. To OU and Standford fans we look forward to a great game and having you here.

[El Paso Native]

What a GREAT article, gracias and bienvenidos (thanks & welcome to all!

[shyminer]

sometimes all it takes is a little bit of facts. I am not a native of El Paso, but I will personally always defend it like I was. El Paso is unique and you really need to come with a open mind, just like any town you visit. Yes, we dont have a beach, or a big theme park, but you gotta love the culture, our beautiful mountains, delicious Mexican food, and wonderful people!

[Chuck]

The way I see it, let the small minded people stay home. This isn't a stab at OU fans, but it seems like every year we go thru this with at least one of the schools. Sometimes it's even schools that are just rumored to come to the Sun Bowl (USC). We aren't begging them to come as someone posted on their site, we are very proud of our city. But if you aren't willing to leave the friendly confines of your neighborhood and venture out, well that's fine.

Just keep your ignorant comments to yourself.

Hey, you know what, your team accepted the invite so they knew they weren't good enough to be playing anywhere else. It's not like reps from Glendale, New Orleans, Miami or Pasadena were lighting up your phone lines.

[Jaime]

Tempe PD just arrested 130 in a drug raid. Hope OU doesnt get invited to one of their bowls next year or the fans might not go for fear of their safety.

[Paydirt Pedro]

Great letter Jay. It's the same story every year though. Ignorant people from other places that don't know any better like to rag on our fine little city. The smart, educated people are like, "hey let's go try that." Then they come down here and hang out with us for a few days, eat our food, listen to our spanglish, dance to our music and BAM, instant fans of El Chuco. They go home and tell everyone how nice we are and how much fun they had and El Paso was a very pleasant suprise!! Like the Cowboys not showing up in December, death and taxes, you know its coming!! Can't wait for this game!!

[el chucano]

you only posted the nice comments how about the ungly ones like that we are the armpit of texas!

[grimex]

typical.....move to the arm of Texas if you don't like living in the armpit. BTW Rroll Tide!!

[Toasted Whitebred]

wtg Jay. Well done.

[TMazz]

If Oklahoma is having such a hard time swallowing that they had to come to the Sun Bowl, maybe they should have played better! As a past member of the Sun Bowl Committee, I've seen how El Pasoans bend over backwards to make this thing happen. Maybe Oklahoma need a lesson on "Bowl Manners"! ouldn't be surprised that the sell out is a "Boo Out"! Go Stanford!!

[Commercial Tanning Beds]

Great letter lol...

[Abraham Orr]

What's wrong with the Sun Bowl?! I've gotten Sun Bowl tickets from http://amazonticketsonline.com/Sun-Bowl for this year. I'm very excited!
Besides, I checked the bowl projections and they're projected to go to the BCS championship instead. Sheesh!

[pay per head service]

I think that it is great that you can have a great communication with them. It is quite hard to fan to get that type of communication.

[Yapmak]

When I lived in New Zealand, I always eeojynd the summer because it was warm, the days were longer, and I got to spend fun time outside. Now I live in sunny Brisbane, Australia and I look forward to ALL BUT summer. Summer in Brisbane ca get crazy hot if your not used to it.

[Eugen]

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