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It seems that at the start of every college football season, Oklahoma is surrounded by a little controversy. Whether it's quarterback battles, rule violations or just coming off a bad ending to the previous season, there are questions to be answered.

However, regardless of the distractions that may attach themselves to the team, there is one group whose loyalty can never be questioned. Through thick and thin the Sooner Nation has stood by their team.

"That is just how Oklahoma has always been," Eric Grow said. "Since I was born here, Oklahoma football is the biggest following in the state. Good, bad or indifferent, you are going to get a huge following."

Wednesday, thousands of members of the Nation congregated at the OU Rugby Fields on South Chautauqua for Meet the Sooners Day, which is part of the annual Media Day.

Despite the recent dismissal of prized recruit Josh Jarboe, fans were happy to get a chance to meet their favorite Sooners.

"It doesn't diminish it," Norman's Mike Storm said. "If you look on ESPN.com, everyone has the same issues. When you got this many kids, from all around, first time out. It doesn't diminish it."

Grow, who traveled from Edmond, felt the same way. He brought his sons Jackson, 9, and Carson, 5, with him to Norman. He says that it's part of the rite of passage of being a Sooner fan.

"To get them to come here and meet the players," Grow said, "and go to the games and get to experience autumn in Oklahoma on game day, there is nothing like it."

Oklahoma coaches and players signed autographs for almost two hours. The first half hour was reserved for members of the Sooners' Kid Club. But it looked like the adults got as much out of it as the children.

"I came out with my son and my nephew," Piedmont's Shannon Meeks said. "We come out every year together. This is year six. Just the experience of it, to meet the players. They are real receptive, real congenial to us. They treat the kids nice. They get to take home a ball and get to connect with the players. Spend some family time with them. It's tradition."

At 11 a.m., the gates were opened to the general public and legions of fans rushed to get in line for autographs of their favorite Sooners. Even though OU established a rule of bringing only one item to be signed, that was overlooked by many who carried in footballs, helmets, posters and other memorabilia.

Sam Bradford and the rest of the quarterbacks had the longest line of the day. But the running backs were not far behind. Those who came in at the tail end had a long wait ahead of them.

"I came to take my little boy out here to meet the Sooners," said Storm, who was with his son Brady. "He wanted to get the quarterbacks so we got them. For me it's three years in a row with my boy. I never came as kid. I wish I would have. I think it's great."

Regardless of which line they stood in, everyone had to deal with another blistering day in Oklahoma. With the sun high overhead, temperatures hovered near triple digits.

Yet, even that wasn't enough to slow down the crowds.

"Great program, great fans," Mike Herd of Oklahoma City said. "If you are willing to deal with the heat, you have to be a great fan. We are just enjoying the Sooners. We love Sooner football. We try to come whenever we can."

Coach Bob Stoops was not on hand. He was at a memorial service for Bobby Murcer.

"I regret the inconvenience to our fans, but Bobby and I were good friends and I want to be at his service in support of his family," Stoops said in a statement. "I will look forward to seeing many of our fans on Friday."

Stoops will be available to sign autographs following OU's practice Friday at the OU Rugby Fields. Practice is scheduled to end at 11:30 a.m.

Even without Stoops there, Meet the Sooners had another huge turnout. Jennifer Patton of Oklahoma City was one of those who attended the event for the first time. She brought her son Ian, and her niece Mia and nephew Aedan.

"They enjoy it," Patton said. "They like to do the Sooner thing. We are just diehard Sooner fans."

Michael Kinney 366-3537 mkinney@normantranscript.com