The son stepping into the footsteps of the dad. It’s such an easy sports story that it is nearly a cliche.
Certainly the story of Sterling Shepard and his late father Derrick Shepard is one such feel good narrative.
But it’s not always that way. And yet, it can be an equally inspiring story.
Such as the case of Nick Basquine.
Basquine is the son of former OU football player Anthony Stafford (who played on the same ’85 OU national championship team as Derrick Shepard). But, Nick doesn’t want his accomplishments on the football field to be framed by the legend of Stafford.
Basquine doesn’t want Stafford mentioned every time he scores a touchdown for the Sooners this season. He does not have a relationship with his dad. He hasn’t since he was an infant.
The most important person in Basquine’s life is his mother, Mary.
Below is the Twitter post Basquine posted today. Read it. It’s an impressively eloquent and honest and mature message from a young man who honors his mom who raised him here in Norman, from Eisenhower Elementary to Norman North to the campus of the University of Oklahoma.
His mother taught him that a person’s success depends on what one makes of themselves. And, in Basquine’s case that success is his dream — to play wide receiver for Oklahoma. He is a walk-on wide receiver who turned down several scholarships from lesser football programs to play in his hometown, for the team that he followed growing up. To be a Sooner. And it had little to do with his biological father.
But Basquine knows it had a lot to do with the help of his mom.
We won’t mention Nick’s dad after we finish writing this. That’s not to disparage his father, who has gone on social media to dissuade any notion that he failed to meet the financial commitment of a divorced dad.
But Nick is right. Whatever success he has for the Sooners will be his own doing. Let us just say now that before the 2016 football season ends, Nick Basquine will have more touches, more yards and more touchdown success than his father.
Here is what Basquine wrote:
“In light of the tremendous honor and privilege to represent the University of Oklahoma, I find it necessary to make this statement, due to a personal issue that has recently become a glaring distraction. To remain respectful to all involved, details will be spared to make sure no one is degraded or put down. My sole intention is to have some of my wishes respected, not only for myself, but for my family, as I feel this is what they deserve and what is appropriate.
I come from a single-parent home and was raised by my mother. My parents divorced when I was extremely young and I do not have any recollection of my father or memories that we share, as they don’t exist. I do not know him and I don’t have a relationship with him. I have one older brother, named AJ. This is the only sibling I have. My mother, Mary, has worked 2, sometimes 3 jobs, to provide more than enough for my brother and I, to support our ambitions, and did so without complaint. My brother and I changed our last name to have our mother’s maiden name, Basquine. We did this in order to honor our mother and pay our respect for everything she has done for us. She is the one who raised us, instilled the ethics, morals, values, and integrity you see when I stand before all who meet me. Our lives are a representation of this great woman. She is my rock and the reason I am the person I am today. She did everything for me and my brother on her own and she did so flawlessly.
In regard to my biological father, this is the first time and last time I hope to address him and this matter. He as well played for the University of Oklahoma, but his accomplishments are his own, as mine as my own. Mentioning him in anything that involves me or my accomplishments is giving him an unjustified and undeserved platform in regards to me or my family. I would like it to be known that it was not him who taught me the skills of an athlete, it was not him who took me to every practice, nor played catch with me in my yard, regardless of how anyone may try and dispute this. It has come to my attention that many rumors have surfaced, on social media, and other outlets, he has been a part of my life. To who ever is reading this letter, simply put, that is not so, as I will always recognize those who deserve credit, helped me stand tall, and supported me.
Thank You,
Nicholas Basquine”
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