Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy provided an unexpected update during his weekly news conference on Monday. He said he had sustained an eye injury from an encounter with cattle at his ranch over the weekend.
Gundy moved the weekly availability to Zoom instead of in-person and did not show his face on camera. Gundy, known for his wit, humorously explained the situation.
“I had a little run-in with my cattle over the weekend,” he said. “I guess they've been watching us play, and I got head-butted. So, I've got a bad eye that I didn't think would be particularly enjoyable for people when they were looking at my pretty face in a live interview.”
He said that his eye was “full of blood" and that he gets "dizzy, so it's not easy to be upright and be in a normal function. But other than that, I'm doing great.”
Despite the eye injury, Gundy said he could still fully carry out his coaching responsibilities. If he were listed on an injury report as a player, he said he would be marked as “probable.” He said that his condition is improving.
“I’m fine, and it should get better every day. Hopefully, it’ll improve. I’m still working the same hours, and it’s no big deal. I just didn’t think showing it on camera would be very appealing.”
Gundy remained lighthearted about his injury. However, his Cowboys (3-3, 0-3 Big 12) face a critical challenge as they prepare to play 13th-ranked BYU (6-0, 4-0) on Friday night in Provo, Utah. The game is set for a 9:15 p.m. ET kickoff. He is expected to be on the sidelines coaching his team despite the injury.
The timing of the injury adds up to Oklahoma State’s current struggles, with a three-game losing skid.
Even after the eye injury, Mike Gundy is all prepared for the upcoming game
The upcoming game against BYU represents an opportunity for the Cowboys to reset their season and regain some momentum.
While much of the focus remains on the Cowboys’ struggles, Gundy’s eye injury has drawn attention for its unusual nature.
The Cowboys are searching for answers to bounce back from their current skid. Gundy remains optimistic that his team can right the ship and regain their footing in the Big 12.
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