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Oklahoma running back Samaje Perine has been named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 239 yards and a touchdown on 37 carries in a Saturday Bedlam win. However, Perine is getting more attention for his classy decision at the end of the game.
#Big12FB: Perine ran for a season-high 239 yards and scored a touchdown in @OU_Football's title-clinching win over Oklahoma State. pic.twitter.com/qdWIsp27df
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) December 5, 2016
While making a dash for endzone and a sure touchdown on 4th and 1, Perine took a knee at the 1 yard line with less than a minute remaining while holding a 38-20 lead over Oklahoma State.
Perine takes a knee. #Class #Sooners https://t.co/HWMMglVFZY
— Sooner Gridiron (@soonergridiron) December 3, 2016
Perine has been receiving praise both locally and nationally for the class he displayed on Saturday.
Won't see a classier play than Samaje Perine taking a knee on a would-be TD run vs. Oklahoma St. in the final minute.
— Brad Crawford (@BCrawford247) December 3, 2016
"God bless him. What a class character guy. He wanted to run it out, but that's him. No sense in running it up." - Stoops on Perine's kneel
— Transcript Sports (@transcript) December 3, 2016
In a rivalry game called #Bedlam #Oklahoma running back #SamajePerine makes the classiest move of the #collegefootball season.
— Don McPherson (@DonMcPherson) December 3, 2016
As bitter as I am about that loss, I still have to respect Samaje Perine for that final play. Classy. #Bedlam #OUvsOSU
— Aidan Flint (@OSUsquints) December 3, 2016
This tells you all you a lot about Samaje Perine: tough, smart, unselfish football player pic.twitter.com/Yq8x1q6emy
— Bill Jones (@CBS11BillJones) December 3, 2016
In news that surprises no one? Samaje Perine is a much, much better person than I am.
— Josh McCuistion (@JLMcCuistion) December 3, 2016
Along with the flurry of tweets following the play, ESPN’s Jake Trotter wrote about it, as well.
Perine is now only 83 yards away from breaking the OU career rushing record held by Billy Sims. He’ll be going up against a great Auburn defensive front, but it’s definitely doable. If he breaks, it’ll be quite a way to go out if he decides to leave for the NFL. Let’s just hope he sticks around for another year and sets the bar even higher.