In 2003 the college football world stood up and took notice of Antonio Perkins. Playing against UCLA, the Oklahoma Sooner racked up a Division I record 277 punt return yards in a single game. Even though Perkins went on to tie the record for most punt return for touchdowns and become a consensus All-American, that day against the Bruins may have been the highlight of his football career.

It would be hard to find a more thrilling moment than to have thousands of fans cheer him on as he broke a storied record. But after searching for the past few years, Perkins has found something even more satisfying with another team.

As a staff member of the Red Cross, Perkins said he is doing more than exciting crowds. He is saving lives.

"It was a good opportunity," Perkins said. "I got offered a job here at the Red Cross and it's a life-changing experience. I want to help the community and help save lives. And this is a perfect fit because I am used to being in the community, playing football and doing community-driven things. And this is just something that fits me perfectly."

Perkins has been with the Red Cross since February, but he recently returned to Norman to take over as a donor recruitment representative for the American Red Cross in Cleveland County. Previously he was setting up blood drives in McKinney, Texas, but he is glad to be back in Norman.

"The CEO down in Dallas offered me a position," Perkins said. "It was like a no-brainer. There are a lot of jobs out there in the world, then the economy started changing. This is something that fits the economy. I just want to be able to help out. I am a blood donor recruiter. I go around to different community events as far as churches, I go to school to try to get the community involved to help save lives. One blood donation can help save up to three lives."

Perkins said he wanted a job in which he can use other skills besides the ones he developed while at Oklahoma.

"I need a job where I can network and just talk," the Lawton native said. "I am a big talker. I can make a friend anywhere. I just want to be somewhere I can make an impact and touch people's lives. And just be out in the community and have my face out in the public."

In 2005, when the Cleveland Browns used a fourth-round pick on Perkins, many thought his future lay in the NFL. However, after two years of struggling for playing time and trying to earn a spot, the Browns released Perkins. He had stops with Indianapolis and the CFL's Toronto Argonauts. But he was unable to stay around longer than a few months with each.

Perkins knew his playing days were behind him.

"That's one big thing I had to learn in school," Perkins said. "My mother stayed on me. I made sure and knew there was life after football. When I came here I got a master's degree in five and a half years. Everyone's dream is to go to the NFL and only one percent make it. You can't bank on it. There is more to life than just football. You have to have a plan."

Perkins' plan was to find a job that used his skills and his willingness to serve his community. He also wanted to show other Oklahoma student athletes that playing sports is not the only way to lead a successful life. That is when the Red Cross entered the picture.

Perkins said the Red Cross's importance was evident recently during the tragic shootings at Fort Hood, Texas. Immediately after the shooting spree, local hospitals sent out a call for blood donations. Perkins wants to make sure that call doesn't have to be made.

"What happened at Fort Hood was devastating," said Vince Hernandez, CEO of the American Red Cross of Central Oklahoma. "It is times like these that remind us, as a country, to band together to provide for each other. Giving blood is a great way to help prepare our country for the unexpected and give back where you can."

This past week, Perkins has been overseeing the Red Cross Blood Drive on the OU campus. They are competing with the Stillwater offices on which group can bring in the most donors. It's a competition he plans on winning.

Perkins said he will never lose that competitive side of his nature. He just puts it to work in different areas.

"Football is a game and it's part of life," Perkins said. "But you can't play a game your whole life. There comes a time when you need to put the game aside and become a family man and become responsible and go out there and get a job where you can really make an impact in a job that you really love.

"I go to work happy. I wake up the next day happy to be part of the America's Red Cross. Happy to wake up and save lives. Someone is depending on me today. I like that.

"In football, I was always used to someone depending on me to make a play. Here, it's the same way to save a life."

Michael Kinney 366-3537 mkinney@normantranscript.com







How to Donate Blood:

Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit bloodisneeded.org to make an appointment. All blood types are needed to ensure the Red Cross maintains an adequate blood supply. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Visit bloodisneeded.org to learn more.