BOWEN DEMANDS $1.2 MILLION FOR PICK-SIX: TOLD MANNING TO "THROW ME THE DAMN BALL”
Sooners safety says stopping touchdowns and scoring them are two separate jobs, and Oklahoma has only been paying him for one.
NORMAN, OK. — Oklahoma safety Peyton Bowen has submitted a $1.2 million invoice for his pick-six against Texas, informing the program that “emergency offensive services” are not included in his current compensation package.
“I’m paid to stop their offense. Not to replace ours,” Bowen said, sliding an invoice across Brent Venables’ desk. “That’s $200,000 a point. Go find six cheaper ones.”
Bowen clarified that the extra point was not included.
“Tate bills separately.”
The safety also demanded an immediate opportunity at wide receiver, arguing that his audition tape already shows him catching a pass from a quarterback who specifically did not want him to have the ball.
“Put me at receiver and throw me the damn ball,” Bowen said. “Arch found me. Surely we can get John to do it.”
According to sources inside the program, Bowen arrived at the receivers’ meeting carrying a football, a printed screenshot of himself in the end zone, and what he described as “more supporting documentation than this position should require.”
When a coach explained that playing receiver would require learning the offensive system, Bowen remained unconcerned.
“I’ve watched it every Saturday. I think I can get us to third-and-nine.”
Bowen also rejected suggestions that his touchdown was easier because he had blockers.
“Great. Let’s try that on offense.”
Venables praised Bowen’s competitiveness but expressed concern about allowing defensive players to negotiate individual scoring bonuses.
“We coach our guys to get the ball back to the offense,” Venables said. “Peyton decided to skip a step.”
“That was the whole idea,” Bowen replied.
The head coach was considerably less enthusiastic about Bowen’s request to join the offense.
“We don't need offense to score, Bowen knows that. Defense and special teams are how you score. This whole trend of offense and touchdowns makes me physically sick. James Naismith would be rolling in his grave,” Venables said.
The dispute intensified when an athletic department representative explained that much of the available money had already been earmarked for offensive production.
“Perfect,” Bowen said. “Then it should still be there.”
Under his proposed arrangement, Bowen would continue playing safety, receive additional snaps at receiver, and reserve the right to yell “THAT’S WHAT I WOULD HAVE CAUGHT” after every incompletion.
Coaches reportedly rejected that final provision, citing concerns about sideline noise.
Bowen insisted the proposal was ultimately about helping the team.
“I love these guys. I’ll tackle. I’ll cover. I’ll return kicks. But at some point, somebody wearing our colors needs to throw me a touchdown.”
At press time, Bowen had listed Arch Manning as a professional reference.
