NORMAN, Okla. -- Shortly after agreeing to an extension to remain with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook showed up on the University of Oklahoma sidelines last fall sporting a No. 44 Sooners jersey, the number of former OU great Brian Bosworth.
By coincidence, Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield exited the locker room after the game donning an "In Russ We Trust" Thunder T-shirt.
It was a fascinating juxtaposition.
Because no two other athletes -- and for that matter, likely no two other people -- hold a bigger responsibility in upholding morale in the Sooner State than Mayfield and Westbrook.