8timechamps
8/1/2012, 06:17 PM
I figured Ben Habern deserved his own thread.
I remember when we first started recruiting Ben. He was a four star recruit with offers from a lot of big time programs like Florida State, Nebraska and Notre Dame to name a few. He committed pretty early in the process and was fairly vocal about wanting to be a Sooner. Being the number 3 ranked center in the country, I was looking forward to watching him develop. And he didn't disappoint.
It's no secret that the big boys on the offensive line get very little notoriety, and plenty of blame. But Ben has been a solid contributor since he became the starting center. All reports say he was a leader on the field and in the locker room. The kind of kid you cheer for, and the kind of kid you are happy to have.
Habern shares a first name with my youngest son, so he immediately became my son's favorite player. Since Ben wasn't a skill position player, or a defensive stud, I was kind of surprised that he became my son's favorite. But he did, and we watched him religiously every time he took the field.
Having had serious neck problem myself, I am not surprised by Ben's decision. There is far more to life than football, and staying healthy is right up at the top of the list. I am saddened that Ben will no longer be able to play the game he clearly loves, but I am happy that he has the opportunity to finish his degree and go on to live a healthy life. But, most of all, I am thankful that Ben chose to be a Sooner and gave everything he had every time he put on the crimson.
Thanks Ben! We'll miss you.
I remember when we first started recruiting Ben. He was a four star recruit with offers from a lot of big time programs like Florida State, Nebraska and Notre Dame to name a few. He committed pretty early in the process and was fairly vocal about wanting to be a Sooner. Being the number 3 ranked center in the country, I was looking forward to watching him develop. And he didn't disappoint.
It's no secret that the big boys on the offensive line get very little notoriety, and plenty of blame. But Ben has been a solid contributor since he became the starting center. All reports say he was a leader on the field and in the locker room. The kind of kid you cheer for, and the kind of kid you are happy to have.
Habern shares a first name with my youngest son, so he immediately became my son's favorite player. Since Ben wasn't a skill position player, or a defensive stud, I was kind of surprised that he became my son's favorite. But he did, and we watched him religiously every time he took the field.
Having had serious neck problem myself, I am not surprised by Ben's decision. There is far more to life than football, and staying healthy is right up at the top of the list. I am saddened that Ben will no longer be able to play the game he clearly loves, but I am happy that he has the opportunity to finish his degree and go on to live a healthy life. But, most of all, I am thankful that Ben chose to be a Sooner and gave everything he had every time he put on the crimson.
Thanks Ben! We'll miss you.