đ Tragedy Strikes Oklahoma Sooners: Star Linebacker Jamal Brooks Suffers Career-Threatening Injury in Offseason Workout
Norman, OK â June 13, 2025
Oklahoma Sooners fans are reeling after devastating news emerged late last night: standout senior linebacker Jamal Brooks, a cornerstone of the Sooners’ defense and team leader both on and off the field, has suffered a potentially career-ending knee injury during an offseason team workout.
The injury occurred during a routine agility drill at the Soonersâ training facility in Norman. Witnesses say Brooks collapsed suddenly after a sharp cut, clutching his left knee and crying out in pain. Medical staff rushed to his aid and he was transported immediately to OU Health for evaluation. Early reports confirm a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscusâa devastating triad of injuries that could sideline him for 12 to 18 months, if not longer.
Head coach Brent Venables, visibly shaken at a press conference this morning, called Brooks âthe heart of our locker roomâ and said the team is âabsolutely gutted.â
> âYou donât just replace a guy like Jamal,â Venables said. âHeâs everything you want in a Soonerâtough, selfless, driven, and deeply loved by his teammates.â
Brooks, 22, was entering what many believed would be his breakout year. After transferring from Missouri in 2022 and earning his spot in the Sooners’ starting lineup, he quickly became a vocal leader and fan favorite, known for his relentless pursuit on the field and his humility off it.
In an emotional statement posted to social media late Thursday, Brooks wrote:
> âThis isn’t the ending I pictured, but I believe in Godâs plan. My brothers on this team will keep the fight going. Iâll be right there with themâheart full, head high.â
Fans, alumni, and teammates flooded social media with messages of support, using the hashtag #PrayForJamal, which began trending nationwide within hours.
As the Sooners prepare for a season now missing one of their most vital players, the emotional toll on the program is undeniable. Whether Brooks ever takes the field again remains uncertainâbut his impact on Oklahoma football w
ill never be forgotten.
