A Family Divided: Alexander Family On Both Sides Of OU-Tulsa

If you haven't heard, there's a big game in Tulsa Saturday. OU and TU meet in T town. For the Alexander family, it's brother versus brother in their hometown.

“Being able to play in front of my family and friends and playing against my brother,” OU linebacker Dominique Alexander said. “It's going to be my first game as a collegiate athlete playing in Tulsa. And I'm going to try and show out.”

Dom's the talker; Derrick Junior, more reserved.

“I'm going to do my talking with my pads and see who comes out on top on Saturday,” Derrick Jr. said.

But when it comes to support, former OSU Cowboy Derrick Senior knows them all too well.

“When I got in trouble, they would have my dad's number, my dad would show up to the school and all I would hear is like a knock on the window, it'd be his face at the window like come outside,” Derrick Jr. said.

When Dad showed up to see his sons, it was Officer Alexander that showed up. He's been a School Resource Officer in North Tulsa for the past 10 years. His family has been by his side.

“They're alright with what I do,” Derrick Sr. said.

“Most people have good things to say about him,” Derrick Jr. said. “And it really gave us something to look up to and a role model.”

He goes to different schools and meets with staff and students.

“It's been a positive, you know I do the best I can do, try to talk to them, encourage them to stay in school,” Derrick Sr. said.

Of course, when Dominique and Derrick were kids, when Officer Alexander visited school, one kid was more work than the other.

“Derrick was easy, he did what he was supposed to do, Dominique was kind of a cut up,” Derrick sr. said. “Derrick would get on to Dominique for not working hard.”

Now last year when these two teams played, the Alexander family sat on the home side of OU. This year they'll sit on the home side at TU. And while mother will be wearing a split red and blue shirt. Father will be wearing a little something different.

“Depends on the weather, my co-workers always ask me what colors am I going to wear it will either be a white t-shirt or a black t-shirt,” Derrick Sr. said. “I'm neutral.”

Tulsa Public Schools has early release day Friday, more time enjoy family and the game.

“He trained me as a child to play football and now I'm doing it so it's easy for him to support me and doing what I love to do,” Dominique said.

“I feel blessed, this will be the first game that my mom will be attending, so we think it's going to be great,” Derrick Sr. said.