OU football player pledges donations to addiction treatment center

MCCLAIN COUNTY, Okla. ( KFOR ) – Deion Burks is already raking it in for Rob’s Ranch addiction treatment center in Purcell.

“Just absolutely blown away,” said Jake Hill, the Chief Financial and Operating Officer for the nonprofit. “We just exist to try to put families back together. You know, Oklahoma suffers with some addiction problems.”

This season, Burks pledged to donate $50 per catch to Rob’s Ranch. So far, he’s off to a hot start, catching six passes on Friday night against Temple. Three of the catches were touchdowns.

“The cause means a lot to me, honestly,” said Burks, the Sooners’ wide receiver.

Over the summer, Burks was arrested for DUI, speeding and transporting an open container of alcohol.

“I’m not hiding from it. Of course everybody knows about the situation with the DUI,” said Burks. “Honestly, just trying to give back and not everything be about me, but be about other people, help other people, because it opened my eyes to a situation.”

His $50 a catch is being matched by about a dozen other businesses. According to a press release from Rob’s Ranch, they include: Hal Smith Restaurant Group, Seth Wadley Auto Family, Mabrey Bank, Win Foundation, Brockhaus Jewelry, Jim Traber, Oak Tree Country Club, Affordable Door Company, Othello’s Restaurant Group, Nobility Door, Wright Water and Omni Construction.

Hill said this effort will go a long way.

“Every dime that we get goes right back into the facility,” said Hill. “I’m one of thousands of people that this is going to touch and this is going to reach.”

For him, it’s personal. Hill went through the center in 2012.

“It saved my life. I wouldn’t have the family I have today without Rob’s Ranch,” said Hill. “All I can say is thank you. Thank you.”

For those looking to become a sponsor contact the nonprofit at (405) 253-3838 .

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