Prescription Painkillers Cited In Death Of Oklahoma’s Austin Box

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Here is the decal that will adorn each Oklahoma player’s helmet (via the Oklahoma Sooners’ Twitter feed)

In addition to the decal, members of the Oklahoma defense will reportedly honor Box by taking turns wearing his No. 12 jersey on a game-by-game basis. A decision on who will wear Box’s jersey for the Sooners’ season-opening game against Tulsa on Sept. third has not yet been made.

The Box family issued a heart-wrenching statement to the press in advance of the release of the toxicology report that reads, in part:

Our sincere condolences to the Box family and the Oklahoma football community. Austin is being remembered today at SB Nation’s Crimson and Cream Machine.

And from Sooners athletic director Joe Castiglione:

SB Nation’s Oklahoma blog, Crimson And Cream Machine, calls this a “Tragic, tragic day for the Oklahoma football program and the entire Sooner Nation.”

The senior from Enid topped the Sooner’s post-spring practice depth chart at MLB, heading up a young class at the position along with fellow senior Travis Lewis. Box battled multiple injuries over the course of his playing career in Norman, but was cited by SB Nation’s Oklahoma blog in a spring camp roundup as a crucial impact player, even when hobbled:

When the guy is one the field he just has a knack for making plays. He brings one of those indescribable aspects to the defense where he isn’t the best athlete out there, but when there is a play to be made you can pretty much guarantee he’s going to be right there.Box was 22 years old. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the Oklahoma football community.