OU Great Marcus Dupree Motivates McLain High School Football Players

Just 69 days away from the scheduled start of the high school football season, motivation remains key for off-season workouts.

McLain High School had a special visitor this morning, former OU tailback Marcus Dupree.

As the offseason work continues for the McLlain Titans, Dupree urged players to "finish, I know you are tired, let’s work, and find something good."

The visit was about more than just practice. Dupree was in town to motivate the team, both on and off the field.

"Football builds character,” Dupree said. "Set your goals, set them high because you want to reach the goal, same as a team."

Dupree rushed for more than 1500 yards in his career at OU, but he said mentoring younger players is more important than any statistic.

Dupree said, "it’s a process. Life is a process, nothing is going to be easy and you just have to keep working and have good character.”

McLain running back Elijah Bell said, "I’m going to take from it I'm going to do my best I’m going to do what he did, wake up every morning, run and workout and just do my best."

Dupree’s message is a simple one that he learned from his grandmother. He hopes that the football team at McLain takes it to heart.

"It only takes one second to get into trouble, but it can take you a lifetime to get out of it. It can affect you generation to generation just remember that,” Dupree said.

McLain head coach Willie Ponder said, "When we get a chance a person like Marcus Dupree to come up and talk to our kids, that’s always a blessing. It’s always good when our kids get to see positive things that gives them hope, that gives them, okay somebody does care about us out this way."