Friends And Family Mourn A Loss

Former TU star receiver Neal Sweeney died on Friday, after he was shot in his East Tulsa office.

Friday, September 5th 2008, 9:26 pm

By: News On 6

By Ashli Sims, News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Friends and teammates are mourning a TU football hall of famer. Star receiver Neal Sweeney died on Friday, after he was shot in his East Tulsa office. Police suspect someone might have hired a hit man to kill the Tulsa businessman.

Those who knew him just can't believe the man who was so full of life, on the gridiron and off, is gone.

"We're all just shocked, completely. It's unbelievable. My brother and I were both at work a couple of days ago and I gotta call from my son that my brother had been shot. And it just didn't even register," said Bill Sweeney.

Neal Sweeney was working at Retail Fuels Marketing Thursday morning, when a gunman walked in and shot him in the head. A shooting made all the more shocking because his family and life-long friends say he had no enemies.

"Neal was the kind of person that made people happy. He was funny to begin with. But he cared about people. And it was genuine," said Howard Twilley.

Fellow TU Hall of Famer and All-American Howard Twilley has known Sweeney, since his days at TU in the 60s. Their friendship went beyond the football field; they attended the same church and often traveled together with their families.

It's been almost four decades, since Neal Sweeney played for the Golden Hurricane but his teammates say he loved this football program and he hardly ever missed a game.

"The group from that era, we were family. So it's like a piece of your gut was torn out," said Glenn Dobbs.

Along with their grief, there's a lingering question, why Neal? And they're hoping the police will find answers along with the killer.

"I would like for there to be some closure. But that's not going to be the end all be all. Bottom line is I've lost my friend. And nothing is going to bring him back," said Twilley.

Neal Sweeney was an avid runner and his running club is hosting a memorial run Saturday morning at 6:30 a.m. They're meeting at the Starbucks at 61st and Yale.

09/05/2008 - Reward Increased In Businessman's Death