Oklahoma State University Athletics
Vernon Grant Remembrance Board Room
July 27, 2005 | Cowboy Football
Vernon Grant Remembrance Board Room
Vernon Grant Remembrance Board Page 1
This is a terrible loss for everyone associated with Oklahoma State University and the football family. Vernon Grant was a terrific young man who had an infectious smile and a positive approach to everything he did. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and teammates. - Mike Gundy, OSU Head Football Coach
OSU has lost one of its finest student ambassadors. Vernon Grant's smile could light up a room and his enthusiasm made him a great and dependable teammate. The irony of this is that it was Vernon Grant who taught us all the importance of inner strength and faith in time of personal tragedy. - Harry Birdwell, OSU Director of Athletics
I remember the first time I met Vernon I thought he had a cool accent. From that day on we became good buddies and every time I say him he would be smiling. Kool-aid smile, that's what I always thought of when I saw Vernon around campus. Every time I spoke with him I would always leave from our conversation about track with a smile no matter how I felt before talking with him. He inspired me to go after whatever my dreams were and to smile a little more. Vernon I am honored to say that I am proud of you for being a good person and a student!!!!!!!!! I hope you will continue to light up this world with your bright and beautiful smile. I'll miss you!! – Angel, Oklahoma City
To Verno(V.G.),
I love you man and will always remember your crazy self. The times we all went to the Weed and hung out at the apartment. Man, I just can't believe that you are gone! But, you are in a way better place than we are still at...no worries and no pain! You will be missed and loved forever! - Ricklan Holmes
I went to his high school (Duncanville), we were in the same math class our senior year, he kept on telling me that he couldnt pass the class. I remember what I told him that he could do anything that he put his mind to, I even gave him an example of his favorite sport (football). When I finished with him he knew that I would never let him fail. From then on we did everything together in that class and let me tell you we both passed the class with an "A". I knew that he always had his head on his shoulders because of that wonderful smile he had on his face, never once did I see him frown, and I will tell his family the same prayer I use to tell him to pray before a exam "God, I will do my best and give my all, and I want your will and your way to be done, but just know that I will give my all, and I know you will lead the way." Keep your head up Grant family and I know that we all shall meet again one day and he VERNON will smile down upon us all. - Shelby Brown (D'VILLE)
I have known Vernon for four years now and he has contributed to my life a great deal. As a student of Duncanville High School, I am a witness to the way he could light up any area or any situation he was apart of. He has encouraged me in track, school, pledging, or anything else I needed his advice in. Vernon was the only person that I NEVER saw unhappy, no matter what he was going through he had a positive approach to everything he did. I am truly blessed to have met him in high school and more thankful that we kept in touch as we went our separate ways in college. Vernon, I love you and I can't wait to see you again,thank you for having such a positive impact on my life. ROO to my favorite bruh of Omega Psi Phi! - ~Soror Rickyl' Wesson, Dallas, TX
Not seeing “Big V” play in games this season will be hard. He was one that gave all he could and didn't want to leave the field without doing so. Vernon, you will be missed without a doubt. Keep smiling. The Cowboys will be playing for you this season!! I take even greater pride in being a Poke!! God Bless You Vernon, We Love You!!!! – Shelby, Tulsa
Vernon was a co-worker of mine back in high school at "That good old Eckerd" as he would say, we grew to have a friendship that would never end, at work we were two of a kind always having a good time, I always thought of him as my little brother, he was the most high spirited, motivated, and happiest person I know, he will truly be missed. Vernon always told me to live my life to the fullest and not let the worst of times bring me down and that is definitly how he lived his life. Vernon's personality made an impact on everyone that he met. My prayers go out to all his family and friends. LOVE YOU ALWAYS "V" Your friend 4eva, - Charlene Harper, Dallas, TX
My daughter and I sit down by where the team comes in and when the band was there, they would play "Have you ever been to Spain"...VG would dance to the song...I will miss that. We also never left the game until Vernon came by. He was usually the last one off the field...win or lose...he always had a smile for us. He will be missed. - Cherie Bergeron
Vernon Grant was a great guy! He was always the life of the party and the energy and smile of the team. No one could hype the fans better than he could. He was a shining star on the team and he will be greatly missed. We love you, rest in peace V.G. - Destiny, Paradise, TX
We will miss seeing No. 20 raise his arms to get the crowd into the games. It was obvious to everyone that Vernon loved life, OSU and the Cowboy fans. . . the greatest fans on earth. – Anne, Tulsa
Vernon, this one is for you and your family. We will truly miss seeing you on the field. Although I did not know you personally, I watched you play in many games and I always enjoyed your enthusiasm on the field. I enjoyed watching you encouraging the crowd to get into the game. I enjoyed your energy on the field. This is a sad day for the family of OSU. We truly lost a great one. - Diana-A true Cowboy fan, Stillwater, OK
This is indeed a terrible loss for The OSU Football Family and for The Grant Family. We had great times together with Vernon a*k*a* Junior & The Grant Family. Bobby loved to see him run track because he could see a little of himself in Junior on that track field and he loved to watch him play football, especially on T.V., we all did. We are so proud of him and his accomplishments,both in athletics and academics. He was an exceptionally great person and I know his father Vernon Sr. is very proud. Our thoughts and prayers are with Vernon Grant, Sr. and with Vernon Jr's sister, Tamesha Grant. Vernon Jr. is in a much better place. He will be greatly missed. We love you Vernon and we love the Grant Family. Your Friends, The Wright Family - Dallas, TX (Bobby, Stephanie, Stephan & Christian)
Hey Vernon and Vernon's Family I go to Duncanville High School and I play football there and I love it and yesterday when I heard about the bad news I was crying in my heart because I love him I thought he was going to make it in the NFL. Vernon had that kind of power on the field and in Duncanville right know we are thinking a lot about you. You are the best and I just meet Vernon last week when he was in town and he said that he loved me and he love Duncanville football. Vernon was the best ever and he won our first state championship in 1998 we will never for get you Vernon Grant. I love you and all the coaches love you in Duncanville PEACE OUT GOD BLESS – Jason, Duncanville
Even though I didn't know Vernon personally, he was the guy I would always watch on the football field. He was my favorite player because he was so enthusiastic even if we were losing. He would get the crowd up on their feet and smiling no matter what the scoreboard said. He was infectious! We will miss watching him! - Ashley, Stillwater
I knew Vernon loved to talk about football when during a speech class he managed to go 5 minutes over the time limit ONLY telling us about the recruitment process. He wanted to tell us more but class had ended! – Daliene, Costa Rica
I only knew you for a short time. But, everytime I saw you I saw that big smile. You were a cool person and I am really going to miss you. I will miss seeing you hopping around and neck rolling. When I think of a "Q" I will think of you. My thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and teammates. Rest In Peace! I will miss you. - J.S, Dallas, Texas
My favorite memory of Vernon was the way he took the field on kick-offs. He would line up almost right in front of us( we sit on the 4th row) and then he would look across the field at his counterpart and jump up very high, bending his knees to get limbered up. He would then turn and get the crowd into the moment and at the last second he would look at the kicker and signal "ready". He was the emotional sparkplug on the field and just an absolute joy to watch. We will miss Vernon very much! - Barb and Vic, Tulsa
I didn't get the privilege to meet the OSU Vernon Grant, but, I know of two other Vernon Grants, his grandfather and his father. His father and I went to many schools together and graduated from North Dallas HS. His father was a tough and intelligent football player also, (like father-like son). Amongst the many discussions we had were about God. Knowing his father, I know this was a well disciplined young man who was destined for greatness. Moments after I received the news, I prayed for Vernon's soul and for God to give strength to the Grant family. God knows best and doesn't make mistakes. I also would like to acknowledge the webmaster at OSU for their promptness and dedication of this website for this young man. - Benny Nash, Family Friend.
I only knew Vernon for about a year, but in that short time I will always remember how happy he always was. He loved football and loved Texas. He always greeted me with a beautiful smile and with his very country southern Texas accent. I will never forget him as a player, but most of all as a person. Forever in my memory. - Jamie, Midwest City
I first met Vernon in our ninth grade biology class at Duncanville. He was a very nice and laid back kind of guy. Although we didn't have any more classes together, throughout high school he always greeted me with a smile and asked me how I was doing. I last saw Vernon when he came to my school and he had the same great big smile he always had. I was also happy to find out he had pledged Omega Psi Phi and that he was my bruh! He was a great guy that could brighten anyone's day. To the Grant family- My thoughts and prayers are with you. Vernon is in a better place and his great big smile is smiling down on all of us. May God Bless you! - Tiffany Wilson, Dallas, TX
Vernon was the type of young man that you would want your children to aspire to become. Just this past week, I introduced my 5-year old to VG and told him that he should try and be like Vernon. When my 5-year old saw Vernon's picture on TV Tuesday night he said, "look dad there is your friend with all of the rings and the big smile." I coached Vernon when he was a freshman and sophomore at Duncanville HS and the same attributes that he displayed at OSU were prevalent in the 9th grade. Vernon was a leader and loved every minute of life. I learned a lot from Vernon and am inspired to live my life with the same zeal that he demonstrated. In his short life, Vernon Grant made and will continue to make a huge impact on Duncanville HS and OSU. May God bless the Grant family. We have been very blessed to have had Vernon Grant touch our lives. - Kevin Ozee, Duncanville Director of Athletics
What I remember is leaning over to the students in front of me and asking who is number 20? He was so animated and full of excitement I found myself looking for him every time he was on the field ...missing plays just to focus on him. I loved his pre-game dance on the sideline with the defensive players and his big tackles. I really enjoyed his interaction with the fans encouraging us to never lose our Cowboy Spirit. I've had several opportunities to speak with him off the field. That smile and enthusiasm was forever present. I mean who could see that smile and not smile back? He was a wonder to watch with the little kids that would wait for him after the game for his autograph...never too tired...never too hurt ...always smiling...
For all of us who are deeply saddened by his sudden loss remember this: Some people come into your life for a reason...Some people for a season ...Some people for a lifetime. God sent Vernon to OSU to fulfill a purpose for Cowboy fans, his teammates, his friends and his family ... none of us will ever forget his smile, kindness, leadership and compassion ... for a lifetime.
Miss Iris - OKC
To all that know and love #20 my prayer are with you .
I was just logging on to see how the pokes did big 12 baseball and saw the story ! my heart goes out to all God bless all that know and loved him " he lives!" P.S God speed from one of the sooner nation
Friday, June 05
Friday, May 29
Wednesday, May 27
Monday, May 18
