Happy Friday, friends and fans!

The Oklahoma Sooners continue to set the standard when it comes to handling this unprecedented offseason. On Friday, OU Athletics announced a comprehensive rundown of all the policy and procedural updates that have been made to the game day experience.

Among some of the more notable updates include a more specific number in regards to stadium capacity. Oklahoma will reportedly accommodate approximately 20,300 fans in the primary seating bowl, as well as an additional 2,400 in suites and loge boxes. Fans will also be permitted to enter the stadium up to two and a half hours before kickoff, depending on the patron’s status. In related news, all tickets are now digital, and will be scanned via touch-free devices.

OU has also upgraded how thoroughly workers sanitize the stadium, as well as how frequently. Roughly 230 hand sanitizer stations will be placed throughout the concourse. Meanwhile, tailgating is still prohibited, and proper masks are required to be worn at all times. The one and only exception to this is while eating or drinking if you’re in your seat.

This really looks like it’s going to happen, folks. A lot of organizing and compromising went into this plan, but it’s actually paying off in the form of real, live Oklahoma Football. For more details on the aforementioned changes, visit SoonerSports.

Now onto this week’s Friday edition of Hot Links! P-Mot makes the Bucs’ 53-man roster, D.C. parts with AD, OG sinks Boston at the buzzer and more!

OU Links

• Former Sooners CB Parnell Motley went from being an undrafted free agent to making the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ official 53-man roster! I’ll never understand why so many teams passed on drafting P-Mot, but Tampa has to be feeling like they acquired a total steal. Boomer!

• Forbes contributor Tim Casey broke down Spencer Rattler’s long-awaited anointment as Oklahoma’s starting QB, and while his game has drawn early comparisons to a young Baker Mayfield, their pedigree couldn’t be more different.
• Marshall graduate transfer WR Obi Obialo began his collegiate journey as a walk-on for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Now he’s playing for his former Bedlam rival in hopes he can wrap up his college career on a high note. The Norman Transcript’s Joe Buettner has more.
• Several Oklahoma players shared their praise of how OU is guiding them during this ongoing coronavirus pandemic, including RUSH LB Nik Bonitto and H-back Brayden Willis. SI Sooners’ Parker Thune has more.
• After two seasons in the nation’s capital, Adrian Peterson was released by the Washington Football Team on Friday. The 35-year old future Hall of Fame running back could still find a new playing destination before the 2020 NFL season kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 10.

Around the Sports World

• On Thursday, while trailing by two points with 0.5 seconds left on the game clock, the Toronto Raptors faced a potential 3-0 hole to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Fortunately for T-Dot, third year forward OG Anunoby delivered a stellar buzzer-beating three-pointer with C’s guard Jaylen Brown doing everything he could to contest the shot. This is why I love this game.

• Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant was named the 2019-20 NBA Rookie of the Year over the Miami Heat’s Kendrick Nunn and New Orleans Pelicans’ Zion Williamson.

• The New England Patriots have named former Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton their starting quarterback for the upcoming NFL season. The 2010 Heisman Trophy winner was also named a team captain for the Pats.
• The Indianapolis Colts have signed Pro-Bowl C Ryan Kelly to a four-year, $50 million contract extension, effectively making him the NFL’s highest paid center in the game today.
• For a while it looked like Lionel Messi was determined to leave Barcelona, but in a surprising change of events the soccer superstar has decided to remain with the club instead of seeking greener pastures.

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