Oklahoma Sooners add padding to brick wall in end zone after brutal injury

Oklahoma football installed padding on the brick walls that ring Gaylord Family–Oklahoma Memorial Stadium after wide receiver Keontez Lewis crashed headfirst into an unpadded section during the Sooners’ 44-0 win over Kent State on Oct. 4. The move came after widespread concern about the proximity of the wall to the playing surface and the severity of the injury.

The play that changed the conversation was ordinary until it was not. A slightly overthrown pass sent Lewis lunging toward the end zone, and his momentum carried him into the hard barrier beyond the boundary. He remained motionless as trainers tended to him, was stretchered off, and did not return. Team medical staff later said Lewis underwent additional testing, and the initial outlook was cautiously optimistic.

The incident ex